First Look: Etihad's New LAX Lounge

The two Australian cocktails.... Pine and a gum leaf??? I think I need to talk to whoever promotes Australia internationally about how far we've come...

I take this as a sign of future A380 service.

And with the Australian cocktails, perhaps a 5th freedom route.

Nice write up, as usual.

Questions:

Was the lounge "open" to passengers, or was it just press?

I would assume there would be minimal timing overlap with the Etihad, Alitalia, and airberlin, or am I wrong?

@ TravelinWilly -- The media event was at 11AM, so when I was there it was only press. Starting at 1:30PM today it's open to passengers as well. And the Alitalia, airberlin, and Etihad flights all depart within two hours of one another.

@ John -- I wouldn't assume so, unfortunately. It's my understanding that Etihad couldn't operate an A380 to LAX without a serious payload restriction due to their configuration.

"The great news is that the Etihad Lounge LAX is now open daily from 1:30PM until 4:55PM."
You mean the lounge is open only for little over 3 hrs?

@ J -- That's correct.

@lucky I am sorry if I missed this - but did you say ALitalia and AB can use this lounge as well? Thanks

@ James Long -- I was told that would eventually be the case, but when I asked if that was possible immediately, they said no. Alitalia and airberlin passengers should have access at some point in the future... just not yet.

The lounge looks absolutely stunning; however, it does look a bit small. I'm surprised that a new lounge would not feature a Six Senses Spa ( the LHR lounge does ) or a separate area for First Class passengers.

@lucky - why wouldn't Etihad install a spa to a new lounge when some of their existing lounges already have one?

@ SheldonJD -- It's something they only offer in Abu Dhabi and London, given the frequency of flights there. Ultimately a spa takes up space and can be expensive to run, so I think they don't view at as worthwhile for a destination with one flight a day.

Is those open to any passenger on an Etihad flight... or is it restricted to Business/First only?

The first picture of the prayer room, that's actually the Wudhu area, which is different from the prayer room 🙂

Wow this is one nice lounge - very close to the QF First lounge in terms of food and offerings - the cocktail list is impressive and the best even compared to the QF First lounge.
I hope that with this lounge, it will push the Korean Air/aka SkyTeam lounge to improve in terms of offerings and quality (currently I even rank it worst than the US airlines lounges). Having visited the other bigger alliance lounges, the KE/ST lounge is the most pathetic lounge at the TBIT terminal.

Is this lounge only accessible for business and first passengers, or could someone with Etihad status or even AirBerlin Gold or higher (AKA OneWorld Sapphire or Emerald) use the lounge if flying Etihad in economy?

Funny, I was in the *A lounge at the exact same moment, and passed by on my way out, and noticed the opening event. I managed to get a quick peek inside, it does look like a fine lounge indeed!

I know as an Etihad Platinum I was invited to attend the opening of the MEL lounge, so I wouldn't be surprised that the LAX opening had a few Platinum there too.

You can expect Etihad First and Business passengers and Etihad Guest Platinums (in any class) are given priority for access to LAX lounge, with EAPs and Guest Gold members redirected to another lounge if capacity is expected to be a problem on the day (this is what happens in other outstation lounges).

Six Senses Spa treatments are nothing too special (nice but..) so absence is not a big issue.

I think the irony is that these outstation lounges are nicer that Etihad's AUH Premium (Business) lounge.

I just hope it doesn't get as packed as the Etihad LHR can be at times.

More pics of the head of corporate communications please!

Was just in DFW terminal A admirals club........excellent view of A PARKING GARAGE

Just curious how an Emirates A380 can make it to LAX, but an Etihad A380 can't without payload restrictions. Isn't the Etihad A380 configuration less dense than Emirates?

@ Lyndon -- I can't answer that specifically, but that comes from someone "in the know." Even though Etihad has fewer seats, I believe it comes down to their "dry" A380 weight being heavier.

I love how pork isn't available in the lounge, but alcohol is...even though both are equally prohibited under Islamic law.

I think the lounge is a bit of a downgrade... I'd prefer access to the Star Alliance Gold F lounge while flying EY out of TBIT... is that a choice by any chance Lucky? ... I especially love the Perrier‑Jouet champagne they serve in the Star Alliance Gold... I suppose if the new EY lounge took suggestions & brought that into the lounge, it wouldn't be too bad... but yeah with no amenities (like spa), no views of the tarmac or a patio seating area in the open or even windows, this seems kind of a waste for EY to plop down all this money & take up space for something that wasn't really needed. the old arrangement was working perfectly well from a customer's perspective!

In the evenings they don't offer signature cocktails for #VirginAustralia customers and they seemed to reduce the whole service experience!

We will be visiting the lounge as platinum virgin Australia members - is it open for the lax to Melbourne flight ??

Beautiful lounge and they were kind enough to allow me to bring my sister who was not booked in VA Business. However, I'm surprised by the lack of quiet areas to work. No business lounge and lots of socializing during the evening hours. I'd have liked the option of quiet space for those of us who need to work. I can also confirm no signature cocktails and a perpetually empty dinner buffet. Still better than sitting in the gate area.