We took an Uber to the airport at 6AM, and thanks to virtually non-existent traffic made it to Tom Bradley International by 6:25AM, plenty early for our 8:55AM flight to New York.
I was especially excited about this flight, because I don’t think there’s a more intriguing way to fly between Los Angeles and New York than on Qantas’ 747 tag flight.
TBIT is dead this early in the morning, given that the first “rush hour” in the terminal is around noon.
Tom Bradley International Terminal LAX
Oneworld departures monitor LAX
Qantas check-in is located in the B Pier, and they just have two small queues set up for this flight. That’s because a vast majority of passengers on this sector are connecting same day from Australia, so only a couple of dozen passengers are checking in at this counter, really.
Tom Bradley International Terminal LAX
We were the first passengers to check-in, and quickly issued boarding passes for our flight to New York.
Qantas check-in LAX
Qantas check-in LAX
The nice thing about using TBIT so early in the morning is that there are no queues at security. We were literally the only people there, and through in about a minute.
Most duty free shops were still closed when we arrived.
Closed duty free Tom Bradley International Terminal LAX
As usual, the new Tom Bradley International Terminal is gorgeous, and was almost even more beautiful with no one in it.
Closed duty free Tom Bradley International Terminal LAX
Once through security, the oneworld lounge is to the right and up one level (on Level 5), and then it’s located on the right side.
Closed duty free Tom Bradley International Terminal LAX
The oneworld lounge is run by Qantas, Cathay Pacific, and British Airways, though the other oneworld airlines leaving from the terminal also use the lounge.
Oneworld Lounge LAX signage
There were four associates at the entrance that welcomed us and quickly admitted us. As it turns out the lounge had just opened at 6:30AM, and we were the first guests there.
The oneworld lounge LAX is massive — apparently it has seating for about 400. Keep in mind that this lounge used to be shared between business and first class passengers, but now that the first class lounge is open, this one should be considerably less crowded during peak hours. I was curious how this lounge stacked up, since the first class lounge is one of the best airport lounges, in my opinion.
The lounge itself has nice decor and almost a loft style feel thanks to the wood paneling on the ceilings, though the lounge is rather dark. There’s no natural light in the entire lounge, aside from the little light you get from the interior “atrium” of the terminal.
Oneworld Lounge LAX view
The lounge does have tons of seating options from traditional lounge chairs to communal tables to circular tables to oddly placed uncomfortable wooden chairs.
Oneworld Lounge LAX seating
Oneworld Lounge LAX seating
Oneworld Lounge LAX seating
Oneworld Lounge LAX seating
Oneworld Lounge LAX seating
Oneworld Lounge LAX seating
Oneworld Lounge LAX seating
Oneworld Lounge LAX seating
Oneworld Lounge LAX seating
Oneworld Lounge LAX seating
Oneworld Lounge LAX seating
Oneworld Lounge LAX seating
Oneworld Lounge LAX seating
In addition to the main buffet, the lounge has a few self serve soda and coffee stations. It’s interesting to note that the coffee machines are clearly provided by Qantas, given that they have Australian coffee terms on them (ie “long black”).
Oneworld Lounge LAX self serve bar
At the far end of the lounge is a rectangular bar, and behind that is an interesting circular seating arrangement which almost looks like a fire pit.
Oneworld Lounge LAX bar
Oneworld Lounge LAX bar
Oneworld Lounge LAX seating
Oneworld Lounge LAX seating
The lounge has one central buffet area. Keeping in mind that breakfast is usually the least exciting meal of the day, I was reasonably impressed by the spread.
Oneworld Lounge LAX buffet
The buffet featured toast, pastries, fresh fruit, cereal, bircher muesli, yogurt, granola, etc.
Oneworld Lounge LAX buffet
Oneworld Lounge LAX buffet
Oneworld Lounge LAX buffet
Oneworld Lounge LAX buffet
The bircher muesli with blueberries and almonds was amazing.
Oneworld Lounge LAX buffet
Then there were a few hot dishes, including eggs and meat.
Oneworld Lounge LAX buffet
And then interestingly they had a juicer, with celery and carrots next to it. That’s an innovative alternative for a lounge, given that they’re otherwise notoriously cluttered with unhealthy food.
Oneworld Lounge LAX buffet
The buffet also had a soda fountain and coffee machine.
Oneworld Lounge LAX buffet
Oneworld Lounge LAX soda fountain
Oneworld Lounge LAX coffee machine
The crowd trickling in at around 7:30AM was interesting. They were clearly all connecting from Australia (based on how tired they looked and the number of sweatpants), and many of them seemed to be famished. I’m not sure if they just skipped breakfast or what, but they hit the buffet alright!
The lounge also has a number of private shower rooms, which are quite nice.
Oneworld Lounge LAX shower room
Oneworld Lounge LAX shower room
Oneworld Lounge LAX shower room
Oneworld Lounge LAX shower room toiletries
Boarding was scheduled for around 8:15AM, but since we had seen all there was to see in the lounge, we decided to head out at around 7:50AM and walk the length of the terminal.
TBIT LAX terminal
The terminal was mostly dead as most planes hadn’t yet landed. The only noteworthy traffic were the three Qantas heavies — two 747s and one A380.
Qantas A380 LAX
Qantas 747 LAX
Qantas 747 LAX
We were departing from gate 154, which was still quite deserted.
Gate area LAX
We happened to be on the Qantas 747 painted in the oneworld livery, which I thought was pretty cool.
Qantas 747 LAX
Qantas 747 LAX
Sure enough, at 8:15AM sharp boarding was called, starting with business class.
Gate area LAX
Oneworld Lounge LAX bottom line
The oneworld Lounge LAX is a solid lounge:
- The Star Alliance Lounge LAX is significantly nicer than the oneworld Lounge, given that it has both an outdoor terrace and an indoor balcony of sorts, and just generally has more interesting decor
- The oneworld Lounge is significantly nicer than the Korean Air/SkyTeam Lounge LAX, which is nice enough aesthetically, though has a crappy food and drink selection
- Relatively speaking, I think the real oneworld winner at LAX is the new Qantas/oneworld First Class Lounge LAX, which has gorgeous decor and a Neil Perry inspired a la carte menu — it’s arguably the nicest lounge in North America
So the lounge seemed great to me and was obviously almost completely empty since there were just a couple of dozen passengers traveling to New York in the lounge. But I’ve heard the lounge does get full during peak hours.
If you’ve visited the oneworld Lounge LAX, what were your impressions?
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.