For the final hurrah of my Aria Suite Adventure to Hong Kong, I had the chance to check out the Delta One Lounge Los Angeles (LAX), as Delta allows access to this lounge on arrival. I had visited the incredible Delta One Lounge New York (JFK) earlier in the day, before flying Delta One 767…
Continue reading: Review: Delta One Lounge Los Angeles Airport (LAX)
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
This review has convinced me to try again, because at least in terms of the level of “soft product,” my experience could not have been more the opposite - slow/indifferent service requiring me to switch tables to get acknowledged; a lost food order that was only acknowledged half an hour later when I finally asked; had to go to the bar to get a drink refill after 10 minutes with an empty glass. We visited around the same week, too — the difference between a night visit and my morning visit, perhaps?
Was this written by Zach Grifter Griff?
"I can’t think of any other business class lounge in the world with such an attentive level of service, where you’re greeted by a friendly employee the second you sit down, and are offered your choice of food, drinks, etc."
Virgin Atlantic does this at the Heathrow flagship Clubhouse.
"I really hope that Delta can keep this momentum going, because this level of service is simply unrivaled at any business class lounge I’ve otherwise visited (in the US or abroad)."
Come on ... the Air Canada Signature Suite lounge, Qatar, and even the Gulf Air lounge at Heathrow.
I must say the staff to passenger ratio at the LAX D1 lounge is one of the best I've seen, comparable to the Middle East carriers, if not better, despite the massive difference in labor costs, so kudos to Delta for the proper investment.
There were probably even low periods, where there were more staff than passengers, when I visited last.
@ Beachfan -- I haven't been yet, but I'll be sure to provide my thoughts when I do visit. I suspect for non-La Premiere passengers, the Delta One Lounge probably offers a much better experience. Air France doesn't offer a la carte dining for business class passengers.
Jesus, you cried about this same thing in the JFK review. The level of complaining you do rivals Tim Dunn's Delta glazing.
Only thing missing from this is, you whining about the alcohol not being expensive enough for you again.
@ Kevin M -- Very interesting and disappointed to hear that. Wonder if it just wasn't staffed as well in the morning, or what? If you do visit again, please report back with your experience, as I'm curious. It almost seems like service might be better when the lounge is busy, and is at full staffing levels.
VS most definitely does NOT have the same level of service.
In fact, it's intentionally designed to be far more hands off with the QR codes. The staff can't keep up with the sheer volume of passengers at peak times tbh.
Delta has a smaller pool of eligible pax and a better service to pax ratio at this lounge.
@ FNT Delta Diamond -- You're right that the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse has mobile ordering, but outside of the restaurant area, I can't say I've found proactive service to be all that consistent, and certainly not to the level I've experienced here. And the Gulf Air Lounge Heathrow has exceptional service levels? I can't say I noticed any out of the ordinary service there.
I'm curious, though, are you actually a Delta Diamond and Delta flyer? If so, what do you like about Delta, and think the airline does well?
I fly through Heathrow a lot. At the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, I've always had exceptional service. Literally as soon as I sit down a server comes over and offers champagne and whatever I want from the menu.
And when I'm other airlines out of Heathrow, I've had similarly good service at the Gulf Air lounge. Soon as you sit down a server comes over and offers to get you wine.
And I'm almost a 2 million miler with Delta. I like Delta's domestic route network and its (generally speaking) reliability. I think Delta's seats and F&B are uncompetitive.
You didn't try the destination cocktails??? That's the lounge's best part!
I was lucky enough to visit a week after opening, a couple of the staff recognized me from previous visits to the Qantas First Class lounge, so could explain how they've started w/ such a high level of service? (And how perhaps the Qantas lounge is sliding a bit...)
Ben you really need to visit the Air Canada Signature Suite in either YYZ or YVR for comparison. Aeroplan Business Flex awards will get you in in addition to paid fares so you can go that route (granted, they are hard to find these days...)
Once again, Delta being cheap on its wine selection. I was at JFK D1 lounge in November. Complimentary wines were not good. I went to the Virgin Atlantic lounge and had an excellent Chianti Classico Riserva.
Delta refuses to do anything about their rock gut wine selection. It's disgusting and embarrasing.
How come any every single photo you share there are no people? Are you using Apple Intelligence to remove people from the photos? Not only in this post, but I've been noticing this on almost every post of yours recently.
Kind of insane that they have only one (pretty unappealing) vegan option on the a la carte menu, especially in Southern California of all places...
@ Tevi -- Hah, it's as simple as sticking around until the lounge is getting ready to close to get pictures, once almost everyone is gone. I always try to be the first or last in a lounge for this reason.
@ Up Up & Away -- I don't think it's expected, but I did, and I definitely saw some others doing so as well.
@ FNT Delta Diamond -- They briefly had a la carte dining for the late night flights from JFK, but that's no longer offered.
Please stop tipping. The continuation of this practice only depresses their wages further and enables greedy corporations and business owners to exploit working class individuals. You are shortchanging the staff in the long-term, which prevents them from getting properly paid.
It's a bad practice and stopping it starts with individuals like us.
This might explain why their complimentary wines are average and the good stuff you have to pay for.
maybe...but the Air France Lounge LAX is pretty great IMO. no ala carte dining but the quality of food they serve is good, the drinks are of much higher quality, and service good. surprised there isnt more talk about this lounge but maybe thats for the best
not everyone drinks alcohol and even fewer need to have top shelf brands.
Increased staffing benefits everyone.
This is actually a very sensible take, Tim.
Almost 40% of Americans don't drink any alcohol at all. And of the remaining 60%, the Delta One lounge has plenty of good selections along with very creatively themed cocktails that will be sufficient for basically basically everyone, save for the niche minority that is obsessed with drinking champagne that retails for $300 a bottle at an airport.
I have been to both Delta One and the new AF Business lounge several times and the Delta one is better in food/ drinks options, design and just feels more exclusive. AF is for sure nice and also convenient because it is less than 5 minutes from the AF and KLM gates. @Ben , The walking distance is at least 20 minutes from Delta One lounge to AF and KLM gates as they now depart from the west gates at Tom Bradley ( Usually gate 206) , and you have to get there through the passenger tunnel.
I have been to both Delta One and the new AF Business lounge several times and the Delta one is better in food/ drinks options, design and just feels more exclusive. AF is for sure nice and also convenient because it is less than 5 minutes from the AF and KLM gates. @Ben , The walking distance is at least 20 minutes from Delta One lounge to AF and KLM gates as they now depart from the west gates at Tom Bradley ( Usually gate 206) , and you have to get there through the passenger tunnel.
Not sure why you would think throwing more people in is a positive thing.
Look at AA. I don't think increased staffing at AA would benefit everyone especially in MIA or the back galley of the plane. Just more people not doing their jobs under union protection. But that's a topic of another time.
Both (JFK & LAX) look amazing and I have heard before that the service level is out of this world. How wonderful is THAT ? AND I need some of those light fixtures to come home with me, along with a few pieces of beautiful furniture..oh and the meal services can come home too ! LOL ! Great review Lucky !
I've been to both Delta One lounges and much prefer the one at JFK. I do not want someone doting over me in a lounge - I prefer to get the food when I want it and to have more control over the length of time it takes to eat. The lounge visits generally precede a scheduled flight and so time is limited. At the LAX lounge the only way to eat is to order food and then wait for it.
I like the hybrid approach of the Virgin lounge at Heathrow. Food can be ordered but there is also a buffet section where it can be obtained quickly. And the staff is not watching your every move like at the LAX Delta One lounge.
@yoloswag420 and as part of that 60%, I'm not really looking for top shelf each time either; most of the time a beer is enough, and looking at the complimentary spirits that I would drink: A Macallan 12 or a Woodford would be just fine. I'm not too much of a wine drinker so no comment on that, as someone who buys $4 boxed wine from time to time...
By the way they misspelled "Macallan" in the paid section, They need to change that lol
> Note that all terminals at LAX are connected airside, with flights on Air France, KLM, Korean Air, and LATAM, all departing from Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT). This is maybe a 10-minute walk away, so it could be worth going out of your way to visit this lounge.
There's a big asterisk on this one for AF/KLM, with the long trek to get from TBIT proper to the TBIT West gates...
The only way for the staff to get half-way decent wages is to unionize. I'd hate to see what these folks are making in such outrageously expensive cities as LAX/JFK/BOS. Besides, I'd imagine would discreetly pocket any gratuity. Delta and to be fair any other corporation would outsource their own mother if they could !
Better yet why not propose a reduction in the relevant surcharge as token consolation for the trauma of the typo ! Maybe kick in a 'Sky Peso' ... or 2 ! Typos do detract from the 'premium' experience .... lol
Agreed! A very nice lounge! Glad you got to experience it 🙂 -we found the breakfast looked and sounded nice, but wasn’t as high quality or tasty as we had hoped... But the next time we thought the lunch was good and we really liked the sushi.
And agreed that the drinks were tasty. Definitely a step up from the skyclub… now delta just needs to bring cocktails and espresso onto the planes in DL One.
Did you try the hyperice pressure boots in the zero gravity chairs. I tried them a few weeks ago and it was intense. I couldn’t tell if one of them was broken because it hurt. But the other leg felt good!
But for those who do drink, you do expect a certain level of quality when traveling in business class, whether in the lounge or on the plane.
The idea of a business class lounge, however nice it is, charging for drinks is just sad.
What’s interesting most of the newer wide bodies and reconfigured ones already have espresso machines installed and catered with Starbucks. Next time ask the FA.
Delta and many airlines do not have the top shelf alcohols available on its plane. What they offer on a complimentary basis is consistent with what is available onboard.
eskimo,
there is a big difference between having enough people to ensure that service is prompt and efficient if people want it and having excess unionized workers - which is not the case since the servers are contracted but held to pretty high levels of service for contracted workers.
aaron,
I do not want to subsidize people who want top shelf alcohol by giving up something that I or other people don't need.
the other option is for DL to simply not offer top shelf alcohol at all. I don't think the people that buy it want that option.
As much as you want to stomp your feet, I am pretty sure that Delta as well as other airlines that charge for anything in the premium cabins knows the price points and what is included or not.
and this doesn't include unbundled business class fares.
Well if the pay and work was so bad , I would imagine no one would apply right?
I'll say that I don't think having a choice of Suntory Toki, Macallan 12 Year Double Cask, or Hendrick's is "a little cheap". I think my only grouse might be DL setting the redemption level here at $0.01/point vs $0.015/point in SkyClubs (though there you're paying for Hendrick's).