Delta Air Lines has just opened a new lounge at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) that looks pretty incredible.
In this post:
New Delta SkyClub LAX details
Delta’s hub at LAX is being completely reinvented, as the airline and Los Angeles World Airports are investing $2.3 billion in the new Delta Sky Way facility. While the work is expected to be fully completed in 2023, the airline has just opened its much anticipated new SkyClub.
The new Delta SkyClub is over 30,000 square feet, and is located on the departures level between Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. What should guests expect from this lounge?
- Guests will enter through the downstairs lobby, where they can use one of five self-serve kiosk station to check-in
- Guests will then use the staircase or escalator to go up a level, where the main part of the lounge is located
- The lounge has a variety of seating options, including private phone booths, theater-style seating for viewing the media wall, a “Coffee Grotto,” “The Gallery at LAX,” and more
- The most exciting amenity is a year-round, all-weather terrace where guests can enjoy views of downtown Los Angeles and the Hollywood Hills
- The lounge has multiple food buffets and beverage stations featuring “a seasonally inspired selection of fresh items, with options for dining in and quick snacks for customers on the go”
- The lounge has eight shower suites managed by a virtual queuing system, plus a nursing room and oversized family restroom
I have to say, the lounge looks beautiful. You can find some pictures published by Delta below.
Who can access Delta SkyClubs?
When it comes to Delta SkyClub access, these lounges have among the broadest entry requirements. SkyClubs are accessible by select premium passengers and elite members on eligible itineraries, as well as to members, and those with an Amex Platinum Card or Delta Reserve Card.
I’d say the most common way that people access Delta SkyClubs is with the Amex Platinum Card. Amex and Delta have a close partnership, and it’s cool that SkyClub access for premium cardmembers is part of that.
Delta SkyClubs are superior to American Admirals Clubs and United Clubs, especially in terms of the food & drink selection. The catch is that unlike American and United, Delta doesn’t currently have any premium lounges for international business class passengers.
That should be changing soon, as it’s expected that Delta One Lounges will be opened at JFK and LAX. However, as of now details remain very limited, so all we can do is speculate.
Bottom line
A new 30,000+ square foot Delta SkyClub has opened at LAX. The lounge looks beautiful, and in particular the terrace seems like an awesome amenity. I can’t wait to check out this lounge.
What do you make of the new Delta SkyClub LAX?
While I'm thrilled to finally have a lounge at LAX, I was there yesterday and found the food middling. At least it was better than the SLC lounge earlier in the day where there was no coffee for at least 45 minutes, despite telling two attendants. (I went down to the other end and it was out of coffee also.) This was in the morning! SLC also had the same problems as last time I...
While I'm thrilled to finally have a lounge at LAX, I was there yesterday and found the food middling. At least it was better than the SLC lounge earlier in the day where there was no coffee for at least 45 minutes, despite telling two attendants. (I went down to the other end and it was out of coffee also.) This was in the morning! SLC also had the same problems as last time I was there: ran out of plates, things arranged in a ridiculous order, such as jam way before the breads which you haven't seen yet, spoons impossible to find, water for the oatmeal not hot enough to actually cook the oatmeal, etc.
I was there this past Friday - very nice. It was crowded, but the space felt like it handled the people well. It was definitely more narrow and long than I had imagined it would be from the pictures. The bathrooms were really nice, and are SUCH an upgrade from what was available in the T2 lounge.
When I was exiting the terminal on my arrival back at LAX, I did notice another Sky...
I was there this past Friday - very nice. It was crowded, but the space felt like it handled the people well. It was definitely more narrow and long than I had imagined it would be from the pictures. The bathrooms were really nice, and are SUCH an upgrade from what was available in the T2 lounge.
When I was exiting the terminal on my arrival back at LAX, I did notice another Sky Club sign on the T3 side of the Skyway (or whatever they call the consolidated terminal entrance - after security you walk in and turn right for the new club and T2, but if you were to turn left, that's where this secondary Sky Club sign was). Are they planning another entrance / another club on the T3 side?
It looks good for a multi user lounge
It’s Sky Club, not SkyClub
When connected to TBIT, i wonder if people flying in Biz in Skyteam can use this rather than KE lounge.
If I am flying in or through LAX I will check it out, but this certainly will not be important enough to make a special arrangement.
Questions ... 1. Does it have to be an USA issued Amex platinum card or is another country issued amex platinum card acceptable? 2. Do you have be departing or transiting on DL or skyteam airline if using the Amex platinum card?
I cannot positively confirm if it has to be a USA issued card, but you can easily find out by going to your online Amex account, or just Google American Express Platinum Lounge locations from your hot country, and you can verify if you're eligible.
Also, you need to specifically be flying Delta for access (I assume transferring would count if the onward ticket is on DL).
I was there on opening day. For a "business class" lounge, it is gorgeous and the ambiance is top-notch. It sets the standard in the United States. And, while there is no table service, I'd say it rivals BA's Concorde Room at JFK. Now, the good news: what you see is the template for future Delta lounges.
Curious how Delta can have an outdoor seating area and not have the problems with fumes the Centurion lounge closure is dealing with.
Probably because people choose to go outdoors and be subjected to fumes. Air-conditioning system just has to keep it outside. Delta also has outside portions of its clubs in Atlanta, JFK and Austin
Correct. Also LAX gets a lot of fresh air coming off the ocean which prevents these things from lingering in the outdoor air like they might once brought in via the AC. The Star Alliance Lounge patio at LAX is probably a couple hundred yards from Delta's and has no fume problem.
It's all about where the ventilation is located. Seems the Centurion ventilation intake was poorly placed...it's the only lounge at LAX that I've ever heard has had this problem.
Outdoors is outdoors...open ventilation solves the problem, especially with a constant airflow from the Pacific Ocean, which is just at the end of the runways.
Open air, with prevailing winds from the Pacific Ocean.
LAX based potential work traveler here. Delta may have just converted me from AA... Not only are their planes generally nicer, crews more pleasant, food better, but I can actually enter their gorgeous lounges?
Meanwhile, AA's busy removing seatback entertainment, FA's generally seem less happy about their job (once had an FA who hated me for no reason), catering seems dead set on the most unhealthy meals possible, and you can't enter their lounges on...
LAX based potential work traveler here. Delta may have just converted me from AA... Not only are their planes generally nicer, crews more pleasant, food better, but I can actually enter their gorgeous lounges?
Meanwhile, AA's busy removing seatback entertainment, FA's generally seem less happy about their job (once had an FA who hated me for no reason), catering seems dead set on the most unhealthy meals possible, and you can't enter their lounges on domestic itineraries unless you're not actually loyal to AA.
Why oh why can't AAdvantage and SkyPesos switch... then there would be literally no reason to fly AA or UA.
You can enter the AA lounge (regular, not flagship) at LAX the same way you can enter the Delta lounge - via a premium credit card. I guess the issue is now that Delta's "regular" SkyClub at LAX now looks vastly superior to AA's "flagship" lounge (all versions of the Delta SkyClubs at LAX were superior to the regular AA Admirals Club).
American took over the old Delta Sky Club in T-5, which was spiffy. Perhaps that is their best LAX location now.
I believe it is the Amex DL Reserve card rather than the Platinum that provides complimentary access to DL Sky Clubs.
It is undoubtedly precisely because DL has been aggressively rebuilding and adding space in its terminals in its largest coastal hubs - LGA, JFK and LAX - which are both huge and rich markets that their lounges is part of their growing revenue premium. Great lounges are part of what differentiates air travel...
I believe it is the Amex DL Reserve card rather than the Platinum that provides complimentary access to DL Sky Clubs.
It is undoubtedly precisely because DL has been aggressively rebuilding and adding space in its terminals in its largest coastal hubs - LGA, JFK and LAX - which are both huge and rich markets that their lounges is part of their growing revenue premium. Great lounges are part of what differentiates air travel from the masses to a premium experience.
Little has been said about DL's new SkyClub at BNA but it is very large for a medium sized city and without a doubt the nicest space at that airport which is also under alot of construction.
It’s the Platinum.
The Reserve does too
To clarify, Delta eliminated day passes to the Sky Clubs. So, one needs a means of access.
PAID access is available via the Amex Delta Platinum card (consumer and business versions).
COMPLIMENTARY access is available via:
- Amex Delta Reserve card (consumer and business versions)
- Amex Platinum
- Amex Business Platinum
- Those flying Delta One
- Sky Team elites flying internationally
So an LHR - LAX - x/y/z begins at the VS Clubhouse, then this one in LAX? Brilliant lounge experiences on either side of the pond for sure.
Just your "average" new SkyClub and it makes every Flagship Lounge look like crap in comparison.
I spent 6 hours working on the terrace at AUS last month (rather than work in my hotel room) and it was a joy. Would love to see more outdoor spaces at lounges in general.
Is this going to be a shared lounge with VS? Hopefully this refreshed format will be the vanguard for other SkyClubs.
I was there yesterday. The best lounge in the US by far. Fabulous work.
Delta’s consistent investment in its lounges is a major, perhaps even the major, reason I choose to fly them over United and American
Can't wait to check it out. IMO Delta has done a great job with their new(er) lounges at providing a sense of the local area with the art and food. I'm still behind not having visited SLC and now LAX yet, but MSY, AUS, etc. have continued to elevate the standard of these lounges.
The announcement of the upcoming DeltaOne Lounge(s) starting with the first location at JFK is a mixed blessing for me....
Can't wait to check it out. IMO Delta has done a great job with their new(er) lounges at providing a sense of the local area with the art and food. I'm still behind not having visited SLC and now LAX yet, but MSY, AUS, etc. have continued to elevate the standard of these lounges.
The announcement of the upcoming DeltaOne Lounge(s) starting with the first location at JFK is a mixed blessing for me. I don't love connecting in JFK to fly to Europe when I can generally go direct from ATL or for fewer skypesos through DTW, but a dedicated DeltaOne lounge might just change my calculus. Hopefully Delta doesn't follow AirCanada's plan and limit to only guests paying $$$'s.
Would Air France business pax have access? I've read AF is planning a new lounge at LAX but currently using a sub par KE lounge.
thanks
You should, just note that access is slightly inconvenient currently - Air France flights currently operate out of Bradley, and while they aren't that far apart, you would either need to take a Delta shuttle or walk out of security to transfer between the SkyClub and Bradley.
Sometime next year when the connector between Bradley and T3/T2 opens, it will be easier.