We’re seeing credit card issuers invest in airport lounges like never before, including Amex Centurion Lounges, Capital One Lounges, and Chase Sapphire Lounges. In June 2024, Chase revealed yet another location for its airport lounge network, and it’s at an airport that desperately needs more non-airline lounges.
While the lounges still isn’t open, View from the Wing flags an airport document that includes all kinds of information about this facility that we didn’t previously know.
In this post:
Basics of the Chase Sapphire Lounge LAX TBIT
A Chase Sapphire Lounge will be opening at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The 9,234 square foot lounge will be able to accommodate up to 150 guests, and will be located in Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT). That’s a fairly small lounge given the amount of demand that there will undoubtedly be, but then again, lounge space in airports is tough to come by, so presumably Chase is doing the best it can.
The lounge will be located near gate 148, so when you walk in the direction of the Midfield Satellite Concourse (gates 201-225), you’ll see the space for the lounge to the left, before getting on the escalators.
Below is a map of the proposed lounge layout, plus some renderings of the lounge that Chase shared in a filing with the airport.
While the lounge might not be huge, I’ve gotta say, it looks beautiful! What also stands out is that it has direct apron views, which is something that’s otherwise lacking from all other lounges in the main part of the terminal. All the lounges in the terminal are otherwise above or below the concourse, and don’t have views (like the Qantas Lounge, Amex Centurion Lounge, etc.).
Below is a sample of the planned menu and drink list for the lounge.
If you’re curious about how much these lounges cost credit card issuers to run, below is how much of an investment this project represents.
Here’s another fun fact:
We have projected an $8.40 cost per guest for all food and beverage consumption, commensurate with the high quality of our food and beverage menus provided.
The lounge also plans to offer a paid airside escort service, described as follows:
Subject to LAWA and other required approvals, we will also commit to delivering airside escort services to those passengers looking for a more discrete and seamless journey within TBIT or to other terminals. This VIP service, which can be pre-booked or added based on availability, will generate significant buzz for the airport overall and demand for the LAX Sapphire Lounge by The Club.
Guests will be escorted from the lounge to the tarmac below where they will be led to a waiting branded, premium electric vehicle. Inside, they will find amenity kits and refreshments to carry the lounge experience all the way through to their gate.
Guests may choose to board first or last. A VIP attendant will escort them through the jet bridge doorway, as appropriate per SIDA regulations, where an in-flight crew member will check their credentials.
If approved, The LAX Sapphire Lounge by The Club will cover all costs associated with creating a passenger egress to the ramp level, acquisition and maintenance of the vehicles, cost of operations (including any EV charger stations), and any additional card readers or other security requirements. This investment represents a value of $24 million to the airport over the term and will offer more travelers a truly memorable experience at LAX.
Chase Sapphire Lounges have an amazing soft product, with delicious food and drinks, and great service. So far the US locations for Chase Sapphire Lounges include Boston (BOS), New York (JFK), New York (LGA), Philadelphia (PHL), Phoenix (PHX), San Diego (SAN), and Washington (IAD), though several more are being developed.
When will the Chase Sapphire Lounge LAX open?
Chase has not publicly provided an official timeline for when the Chase Sapphire Lounge LAX will open. However, below is the filing with the airport from August 2024. As you can see, this suggests an opening in February 2025.
I’m not sure if I’m just reading this completely wrong, or what. If that’s accurate, obviously the lounge has been delayed considerably. However, it still sounds like the opening might not be too far down the road.
This development is long overdue for LAX!
While LAX has a good number of airline lounges, the airport lacks credit card and Priority Pass lounges. Currently, the only credit card lounge is the Amex Centurion Lounge. The only traditional Priority Pass lounge at the airport is the new Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, though that comes with its own restrictions. While Priority Pass members can access the lounge, it requires paying an additional $35 top-off fee.
While it’s kind of frustrating how heavily concentrated lounges are at TBIT, the good news is that all terminals at LAX are now connected airside, so you’ll be able to access this lounge regardless of which terminal you fly out of. However, depending on the terminal you’re departing from, it could be a long walk.
Bottom line
A Chase Sapphire Lounge will be coming to LAX Tom Bradley International Terminal. The lounge will be over 9,200 square feet, with seating for 150 guests. I’m thrilled to see more credit card lounges coming to LAX. Unfortunately we don’t yet know when the lounge will open.
What do you make of plans for the Chase Sapphire Lounge LAX?
February 2025 opening according to your post; don't think so. Chase site on June 21st says coming soon. Menu looks meh. A whole lotta hype for another minimal perk considering the recent rate hike for CSR. Sure LAX needs better lounge offerings, but considering the current pay for food and beverage offerings it doesn't look to compete on a value basis and doesn't really look to replace the lack of Priority Pass offerings (like next...
February 2025 opening according to your post; don't think so. Chase site on June 21st says coming soon. Menu looks meh. A whole lotta hype for another minimal perk considering the recent rate hike for CSR. Sure LAX needs better lounge offerings, but considering the current pay for food and beverage offerings it doesn't look to compete on a value basis and doesn't really look to replace the lack of Priority Pass offerings (like next to none). CSR is looking more like the Emperor's new clothes...
I used the LGA one right after it opened, and it was an amazing game-changer. But then I had a 6-hour layover in BOS and tried to use the one there, but there was a 1+ hour waitlist (and this was just a few weeks after it opened).
I can already say that this lounge is going to be way too small for the demand, and that waitlists and disappointed cardholders will become the norm....
I used the LGA one right after it opened, and it was an amazing game-changer. But then I had a 6-hour layover in BOS and tried to use the one there, but there was a 1+ hour waitlist (and this was just a few weeks after it opened).
I can already say that this lounge is going to be way too small for the demand, and that waitlists and disappointed cardholders will become the norm. Being based at LAX, I could potentially see this as an amazing amenity that would probably nudge me to keep the card after the upcoming fee increase, but only if it's reliably accessible. If it was, I'd even cancel my DL reserve card, since I usually fly DL.
Looks gorgeous but I am afraid it'll be overwhelmed with annoying wait-list times.
I do hope Chase opens one in Seattle soon!
At LAX with the new rental car depot at the transit center and some other developments I wish I could still use the airport, but I absolutely can't.
Every time I am out there, it's just a continual process of elimination. I never thought I'd go back to Orange County and I hate it, but everybody in the building agrees it's the lesser of several evils. I was waiting at my gate commenting to the...
At LAX with the new rental car depot at the transit center and some other developments I wish I could still use the airport, but I absolutely can't.
Every time I am out there, it's just a continual process of elimination. I never thought I'd go back to Orange County and I hate it, but everybody in the building agrees it's the lesser of several evils. I was waiting at my gate commenting to the agent, "you have direct flights from Newport Beach to Santa Rosa? Who would want such a thing?" and the best I can do is walk to the far end of the terminal to avoid everyone, and I'm still on my way to SFO. All of the facilities are beautiful and serviced by the best airlines in America, you're just happy to get out.
Waiting in the terminal at SNA is better than anything they can ever again do at LAX in a private lounge and SFO has a lot of better options.
I was looking at A380 routes and isn't there another west coast airport than can accommodate the A380, apart from LAX? If not it moots the aircraft for me almost entirely.
Love that they will have breakfast burritos on the menu in true SoCal style.
Due to LAX's layout, there's no way Chase could pick another terminal to put their lounge. Maybe they should change the VIP transfer service so that they'll pick you up after check-in at your home terminal and drive you to the lounge and back. I could see wealthy UA flyers springing for this that are in between normal First class and the PS lounge levels of wealth.
Am I correct that in addition to allowing csp holders in to a tight spot (how many cardholders of even the csr in Los Angeles???) and raising my reserve + authorized user fee to 1k annually while reducing benefits, they would STILL have the gall to charge me a top off fee like virgin, to which I don’t pay a dime? This lounge is nearly the sole reason I plan to keep the csr after...
Am I correct that in addition to allowing csp holders in to a tight spot (how many cardholders of even the csr in Los Angeles???) and raising my reserve + authorized user fee to 1k annually while reducing benefits, they would STILL have the gall to charge me a top off fee like virgin, to which I don’t pay a dime? This lounge is nearly the sole reason I plan to keep the csr after the price increase and this sounds like absolute obnoxious chaos. (and chaos with no realistic opening date planned, to boot)
This lounge will be a welcome addition. Given its size and the current state of lounge access, it would likely be overwhelmed. Chase and other lounge operators (airline and otherwise) have said they want to focus on experience quality . . . and right-sizing access is part of that.
Totally overwhelmed. The only real competition at TBIT is the Centurion lounge - which is a real disappointment.
I do kinda agree - I almost wish they had picked the new midfield TBIT terminal to further minimize the amount of people who might be willing to walk from AA or DL. I doubt anyone other than TBIT, T3, and T4 travelers will consider it worth the trek, time, and nervous energy about being on time.
Thought I'd let you know that Philippine Airlines has unveiled new cabins for their upcoming A35ks from a media presentation in Toulouse; I'm somewhat surprised they apparently went with the Collins Aerospace Elements in Business. Apparently, they seem to have gone with Collins across the board in all cabins from the photos.
https://www.airliners.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1498919&start=150
You forgot about the Chase lounge in San Diego
@ Jordan -- Fixed, thank you!