In mid-2021, we learned that the Amex Centurion Lounge network would be expanding to Atlanta. There’s an exciting update, as this lounge will be opening tomorrow, Wednesday, February 14, 2024.
Basics of the Amex Centurion Lounge Atlanta
An Amex Centurion Lounge is finally opening at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). The new lounge is roughly 26,000 square feet, making it the largest Centurion Lounge by far. As a point of comparison, the previous largest Centurion Lounge was in New York (JFK), and that lounge is around 15,000 square feet.
The Amex Centurion Lounge Atlanta is located in Concourse E, near gate E11. All terminals in Atlanta are connected airside, so this lounge can be used by all passengers.
What should we expect from the amenities of the lounge?
- The lounge features a locally-inspired menu from Atlanta-based Chef Deborah VanTrece, behind restaurants Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours, Oreatha’s At The Point, and La Panarda; food options include Black Eyed Pea Biryani, Za’atar Grilled Chicken Thighs with Green Tomato Chimichurri, and Twisted Soul Salad with Strawberry Peppercorn Vinaigrette
- The lounge features The Reserve by American Express, a whiskey bar serving signature cocktails designed by Jim Meehan, Centurion Mixologist, along with a selection of classic and new American whiskeys
- The lounge features three (!!!) outdoor terraces, as this is the first time we’re seeing a terrace at a Centurion Lounge
- The lounge’s design is inspired by Atlanta’s reputation as “the city in the forest,” with an abundance of trees, including a 50-year-old olive tree and a 3,850 square foot custom light sculpture that represents a forest canopy
- The lounge features the typical Centurion Lounge amenities, including dedicated workstations and phone booths, and restrooms and shower suites
I’ve gotta say, the pictures look very nice, and this is probably the most impressive Centurion Lounge we’ve seen yet. Admittedly competition is heating up when it comes to the quality of credit card lounges, between the Chase Sapphire Lounges and Capital One Lounges (though Amex still has the advantage when it comes to the size of its lounge network).
This Amex Centurion Lounge will be very popular
It’s really exciting to see an Amex Centurion Lounge finally opening in Atlanta. For context, prior to this opening, Atlanta Airport has a total of a dozen lounges, including:
- Nine(!!!) Delta Sky Club
- One American Admirals Club
- One United Club
- One “The Club”
As you can see, Delta passengers have plenty of choices, while others… don’t. So it’s an airport with a good amount of lounge capacity, but not much variety.
It’s a good thing that the Amex Centurion Lounge Atlanta will be the largest one to date, because I imagine this will also (by far) have the most guests of any Centurion Lounge. That’s because of the close partnership between American Express and Delta, which offers a lot of lounge access for premium card members.
Atlanta Airport has nine Sky Clubs for a reason, and a large percentage of the people accessing those lounges will also have Centurion Lounge access. Amex Centurion Lounges in general have crowding issues, given the huge demand for these lounges. In Atlanta I could see this playing out in one of two ways:
- Those eligible for Sky Club and Centurion Lounge access will go to the Centurion Lounge for the superior food and drinks, which will make the Sky Clubs a bit less crowded
- Since just about everyone eligible for Centurion Lounge access also has Sky Club access, maybe people will just go to the lounge closest to their gate, and not seek out the Centurion Lounge
Personally I think the former is a much more likely outcome than the latter, but I could be wrong.
Bottom line
As of February 14, 2024, a 26,000 square foot Amex Centurion Lounge is opening at Atlanta Airport (ATL), making it the largest Centurion Lounge to date. The lounge looks beautiful, with three outdoor terraces being a first-ever feature for the lounge network. No matter how you slice it, more lounge capacity in Atlanta is a good thing.
What do you make of the Amex Centurion Lounge Atlanta?
Membership is free and takes no more information than commenting as a guest. Earn status points for good contributions, and see fewer ads as your status grows.