There’s no denying that the general standard of airport lounges in the United States isn’t great. If you think of airport lounges, you might think of crowded rooms with outdated furniture, stale snack mix, and cheap chardonnay.
Fortunately not all lounges are created equal, so in this post I want to share some of my favorite airport lounges in the United States. Separately, I’ve written about the world’s best first class lounges, the world’s best business class lounges, and the world’s best oneworld Emerald lounges.
However, I’m not going to do a numerical ranking, since access requirements are so different between lounges. Instead, I’m just going to highlight what I’d consider to be among the best lounges in the United States, across a variety of categories. Essentially, these are the lounges that stand out to me as being special, in one form or another.
With that out of the way, below are some of my favorite airport lounges in the United States, in no particular order. Note that I’m only including lounges that I’ve visited, and if you click the reviews that I link to, you can see all the access policies for these lounges. Also, while we’re at it, the Swissport Lounge Chicago (ORD) is my least favorite lounge. 😉
In this post:
Delta One Lounge New York (JFK)
Delta One Lounges are still a relatively new concept, as Delta is late to the game with launching premium business class lounges, like American Flagship Lounges and United Polaris Lounges. However, Delta really knocked it out of the park, and in particular, the Delta One Lounge JFK is spectacular.
The lounge is roughly 40,000 square feet, with everything from a sit-down restaurant, to a market for a more casual dining experience, to a wellness area with spa treatments, to a terrace, to luxurious shower suites. This isn’t just the best business class lounge in the United States, but it might just be the best business class lounge in the world. In fairness, the Delta One Lounge LAX is exceptional as well, while offering a totally different experience.
American & British Airways Chelsea Lounge New York (JFK)
American and British Airways have an interesting lounge setup at JFK, with three lounges in Terminal 8 — the Chelsea Lounge, Soho Lounge, and Greenwich Lounge. The Chelsea Lounge is the most premium of the lounges, and is open to international first class passengers.
It has incredibly elegant decor, and features a la carte dining, a beautiful champagne bar, and a relaxation room. This lounge without a doubt has the best champagne selection you’ll find in any lounge in the United States. My only complaint about this space is that it has no windows, so it’s a bit of a sensory depravation tank.
American Flagship First Dining Miami (MIA)
American Flagship Lounges are business class lounges, but within some of these lounges are Flagship First Dining facilities, which are exclusively for Airbus A321T and Boeing 777-300ER first class customers.
I quite like Flagship First Dining Miami, which features excellent a la carte dining and champagne. This will make you wonder if you’re really flying American, and/or are really at Miami Airport, which is otherwise not so great.
Qantas First Lounge Los Angeles (LAX)
The Qantas First Lounge LAX is the best lounge that can be accessed on account of airline elite status. Specifically, oneworld Emerald members can access the Qantas First Lounge at Tom Bradley International Terminal.
What makes this lounge so special is the restaurant quality dining experience it offers. The lounge has excellent cocktails and coffee, and an extensive selection of a la carte dining. This is one of those lounges that makes me very happy to have oneworld Emerald status.
Capital One Lounge Dallas Fort Worth (DFW)
In 2021, we saw the launch of Capital One Lounges, as part of the credit card issuer’s entry into the airport lounge game, to compete with Amex Centurion Lounges. The first lounge to open was the Capital One Lounge DFW, and it remains my favorite, to this day.
The lounge has friendly service, tasty food that’s individually portioned, cold brew and iced lattes on tap, a grab and go food selection, a relaxation room, Peloton bikes, and more. I’m so happy to see the way that credit card issuers are competing nowadays.
Chase Sapphire Lounge New York (LGA)
It’s not just Capital One that has gotten into the airport lounge game recently, but also Chase, with its network of Chase Sapphire Lounges. While all of these lounges are great, I think the Chase Sapphire Lounge LGA stands out the most. For one, LaGuardia has had quite the glow up in recent years, so I have a hard time wrapping my head around how nice the airport is nowadays.
But even beyond that, the Chase Sapphire Lounge really is the best facility at the airport, with an excellent food and drink selection (there’s a buffet and a la carte dining), great cocktails and coffee, spa treatments, and a generally gorgeous design.
Capital One Landing Washington (DCA)
Capital One’s airport lounge innovation goes beyond its traditional lounges, as we’re also seeing the opening of Capital One Landings, with the first location being the Capital One Landing DCA. This is such a creative twist on the traditional airport lounge experience.
Think of it as the highest quality airport restaurant you’ll find, except everything is included for eligible guests. The concept is offered in partnership with Chef José Andrés, who designs Capital One Landing’s food and beverage menu, focusing on Spanish-style tapas, great cocktails, and more.
Alaska Lounge Seattle Tacoma (SEA)
As you can see, there aren’t any “standard” domestic lounges on this list. However, I really have a soft spot for the Alaska Lounge SEA, in the North Satellite. No, Alaska Lounges don’t have some amazing food program, or anything, but this is really quite a nice lounge.
For one, I love the cozy design, and the incredible views of the apron. This place is heaven for aviation geeks, and I appreciate how there are loungers set up facing the windows, so that you can just watch planes taking off and landing. Also, while the food isn’t amazing, I love how Alaska Lounges have barista coffee, and they also have above average alcoholic drinks, with a heavy emphasis on local products.
Star Alliance Lounge Los Angeles (LAX)
There aren’t many lounges in the United States run by one of the “big three” alliances. One exception is the Star Alliance Lounge LAX, which is open to Star Alliance first and business class passengers, plus Star Alliance Gold members.
The best features of the lounge are the indoor terrace (overlooking the terminal) and the outdoor terrace (overlooking the apron). There’s even a separate first class section to the lounge. This lounge is in a totally different league than the adjacent Korean Air Lounge that most SkyTeam passengers are sent to.
Bottom line
The demand for airport lounges has increased massively in recent years, given the focus on premium leisure demand. With that, we’ve seen lounges go in two directions — some are higher quality than ever before, while others are lower quality than ever before.
The above are some of my favorite lounges in the United States, as they all stand out to me in one way or another. It’s by on means exhaustive, since I haven’t visited every single lounge in the United States, so that’s why I’d also like to hear from y’all.
Admittedly this is all highly subjective, so to OMAAT readers — what are your favorite lounges in the United States? Any others that really stand out, even if it’s “just” the best Priority Pass lounge?
United Polaris Lounge SFO.
The Capital One Lounge DFW is best avoided due to the never ending line out the door. Not that I have ever entered the lounge. Unfortunate the AA Flagship lounge shares the same entrance as the Capital One Lounge as the entrance sets the tone.
Have you tried any of the Escape Lounges?
LOT at ORD with their pierogis.
Sheesh no United Polaris SFO or EWR?
I feel the Qantas first class lounge at LAX does not belong in this list. I would rather have the Polaris lounge in San Francisco on the list.
I’m so glad you put the Alaska lounge in the list. The food is pretty meh but the ambience and just the fact that it’s an aviation geeks paradise make it belong on any top 10 list.
The new Air Canada Maple Leaf lounge SFO should be on the list. It is similar to the *A LAX lounge, with outdoor patio seating and fire pits.
Agreed that no UA Polaris Lounge should be on the list. I have been to five. Maybe the IAH refreshed Polaris lounge will make the list, especially if they toss the terrible "recliners". I love the IAH and DEN Club spots.
No AMEX Centurion lounges made the list either. We are both considering tossing our Centurion cards.
Now you need to do a “skip the lounge”feature on which gate areas are better than the lounge you could otherwise wait in. Some are certainly less crowded!
“ The Qantas First Lounge LAX is the best lounge that can be accessed on account of airline elite status.”
Just a reminder that Chelsea is accessible based on elite status if you’re BA GGL or AA CK.
I would also mentioned The Club at SFO which I was genuinely astounded was a Priority Pass lounge when I visited in September.
QF has better food, which is relevant for 100% of people. Alcohol matters far less, which is the only thing Chelsea Lounge is better at.
So QF F lounge is still better.
You need to have at least one non-US48 AA or BA flight on your PNR as a CK in order to access Chelsea. I think BA doesn’t have this restriction, so if you are flying JFK-ORD only, you would get access with BA’s top tier but not with AA’s
Why are they calling dining or restaurants lounges?
It should only be considered a lounge if you can do all (eat, work, and relax/sleep) in the same space.
Wild that AS lounge is ahead of any Polaris. One has soup and salad at best, while other has sit down dining with a la carte menu even for breakfast.
Also no way Swissport ORD is worse than the CI lounge in SFO. I am sure the walls in that room are painted with liquid depression.
Yeah, I would say at least one Polaris Lounge should be on this list. As a true business class lounge concept, it's widely available at most hubs and offers a pretty consistently good experience.
Alaska Lounges are pretty mediocre and really only have good coffee.
'Alaska Lounges are pretty mediocre and really only have good coffee.'
Does anything else matter?
Interesting that Polaris made the list for best business class lounges (globally) but not the US list lol
I prefer BOS Sapphire lounge over LGA for the same caveat Ben lists for Chelsea lounge
I’m surprised not a single United Polaris lounge made this list. Each of them are better than any flagship lounge and better than some of the lounges listed here.
I think Ben was going for "best business class lounge within each access tier" with this list. Yeah the Polaris Lounge is way better than everything below QF First, but it's not as good as the DL One lounge so it got skipped
I'd love to see a review of the Delta One Lounge in BOS: seems like its far more limited than JFK/LAX on non-dining options, but none of the major Youtubers have covered it yet.
While I don't think it should make this list, I do like the (relatively) new Admiral's Club in DCA... great decor and a great space to relax. Also big enough that it doesn't feel crowded, which can take the shine off even the best of lounges.
Completely agree on the AA DCA lounge. Design-wise, much better than any of the Flagship lounges, although as expected the food options are in line with the rest of the Admirals Club lineup, i.e. nothing special.
No United Polaris lounges on the list??
Ben - Where's the VS Clubhouse in JFK on here? Or would you recommend those in VS J simply use the Delta One lounge now given that it's the best going?
My memorable ones are Polaris LAX and Chase BOS. I'd rank the Polaris ahead of Capital One DFW.
Amex's new Centurion Lounge in ATL is great. Far and away the best one I've been to in the states. Perhaps a good "honorable mention" for the list
You know that lounge was recently closed down for a period bc of a failed health inspection? I feel that should probably make ineligible from any form of promotion
Interesting that there are no Polaris lounges on this list. I'd definitely list at least one of them ahead of the Alaska lounge in SEA.
The Delta SkyClub LAX should be included as the best non-business class domestic airline lounge in the country - incredible outdoor terrace with great views of the runway (even better views than the adjacent DeltaOne lounge), full service outdoor bar, wide variety of seating, and great food including a frequent taco bar. The lounge is also huge and I've never seen it have a line even at peak times.
It's probably niche, but I really enjoyed the LH F section at BOS. Great apron/runway views, a la carte (although quite limited), and nice, cozy and intimate seating.
What about LAX PS?
A few others worth mentioning (in their respective categories):
Virgin Clubhouse JFK
New Delta SkyClub MSP, LAX
Air France LAX
Chase Sapphire Lounge SAN
United Polaris Lounge SFO
The SkyClub SLC is a monster and a one and only out of Deltas western fortress hub.
My sentimental pic is the little American Admirals Club at the eagles nest at LAX. The fact they still operate a lounge for those few gates is nice when flying a connection out of there.
It’s been a few months since I went through the VS Clubhouse @JFK but it was very tired and showing its age, I’ve seen some recent reviews confirming nothing has changed which is disappointing for sure.
I agree except for VS Clubhouse. That's only like maybe the 4th or even 5th best lounge on that terminal
“ It’s by on means exhaustive”. Think u mean “ It’s by no means exhaustive” last paragraph
But, but.. what about Swissport at ORD??
Maybe it'll be featured in an upcoming 'Worst Business Class Lounges in the United States' post... along with The Club at ATL. :)
The lounges you mentioned are indeed very good. But somehow I find this very comforting as well: “you might think of crowded rooms with outdated furniture, stale snack mix, and cheap chardonnay.”
The most comforting lounges for me have been where I can get some warm diet coke with no ice combined with a handful of peanuts and I feel the happiest man alive.
And don't forget that there's been spilled coke everywhere, so everything in the entire lounge is incredibly sticky. And that the bathrooms seem to have some sort of magical, automatic floor cleaning.
Ben, a new Escape Lounge accessible with Priority Pass opened in the new Kansas City (MCI) airport terminal and I was mighty impressed! Plus the small (and never crowded) Delta Skyclub with outdoor terrace continues to impress. I'd love to see your review of both lounges!
Thank you for this rundown. That said, I really don’t think the lounges as a whole are sad. They have upped their games incredibly in the past 5 years. I’m not sure I can remember the last time I had a stale snack in any US lounge.