I arrived at LAX at 8:20AM for my 12:20PM departure, which is much earlier than I’d usually arrive.
Tom Bradley International Terminal LAX exterior
Tom Bradley International Terminal LAX exterior
There are a couple of reasons I arrived so early:
- I hadn’t yet selected a seat for my flight, since I only booked a couple of days before departure. I wanted to be sure I could get a decent seat by checking in early, given that Asiana actually holds back quite a few of the best seats for airport assignment.
- I was excited to check out the Star Alliance Lounge LAX, which I’ve heard great things about though hadn’t yet visited.
Upon entering Tom Bradley International Terminal I proceeded left to the “C” check-in row, where Asiana check-in was located.
Tom Bradley International Terminal LAX check-in hall
Tom Bradley International Terminal LAX signage
It seemed I timed my arrival well, since check-in opened at 8:20AM, which is four hours before departure.
Check-in was efficient, and in less than a minute I was issued a boarding pass for seat 2K, which was the seat I was aiming for.
Asiana check-in counters LAX
Asiana first & business class signage LAX
The security checkpoint is right near Asiana’s check-in counter. The checkpoint with the premium security line is on the other side of the terminal, though in this case I was so early that there was hardly a wait regardless, so it seemed best to just pick the closest checkpoint. And for that matter I wasn’t even sure if the premium checkpoint was open yet.
Security took about 20 minutes, and I was reminded just how much it sucks not to have TSA PreCheck!
The queue was quite short, though a Cathay Pacific crew cut in front of everyone, so that added a few minutes to the process.
Once through security I proceeded down the hospital-looking corridor to the main part of Bradley Terminal, which is just gorgeous. I’ve already reviewed the new Tom Bradley International Terminal, so check out that review if you’re interested.
LAX Tom Bradley International Terminal walkway
LAX Tom Bradley International Terminal lounge directory
Tom Bradley International Terminal LAX
The Star Alliance Lounge is located on level six, so upon entering the main part of the terminal I turned right and took the elevator up a couple of levels.
Tom Bradley International Terminal LAX
In the case of the Star Alliance lounge, the first and business class portions of the lounge have separate entrances, even though they’re connected in the back.
I tried to enter the first class lounge, though the door wouldn’t open. I proceeded to the business class lounge, where the apologetic agent promptly opened the door for me.
Star Alliance First Class Lounge LAX entrance
At this point it was about 8:45AM, so she explained to me that it would be about 15 minutes before the first class lounge attendant arrived. Apparently the first class lounge is only “supposed” to open at 9AM.
So not only was I the only guest in the lounge for 15 minutes, but I was literally the only person. Now that’s privacy. 😉
The lounge has a large entryway with a reception desk and then a chair next to it. Across from that was the departures monitor and a magazine rack.
Star Alliance First Class Lounge LAX entryway
Star Alliance First Class Lounge LAX departures board
The first class lounge actually isn’t all that impressive, at least compared to the business class section.
It’s a decent sized room so never gets too crowded, though it lacks any sort of views.
The decor is beautiful, though, and there’s plenty of lounge seating, as well as a handful of tables for dining in the back of the room.
Star Alliance First Class Lounge LAX seating
Star Alliance First Class Lounge LAX seating
Star Alliance First Class Lounge LAX seating
Star Alliance First Class Lounge LAX dining area
The buffet was rather basic. Since it was breakfast time, they had pastries, muffins, fruit, chocolate, and cheese on display.
Star Alliance First Class Lounge LAX buffet
Star Alliance First Class Lounge LAX buffet
Star Alliance First Class Lounge LAX buffet
Star Alliance First Class Lounge LAX buffet
Then one display over they had several types of snack mix, including Goldfish. There were also crackers and whole fruit.
Star Alliance First Class Lounge LAX buffet
Then next to that was the drink spread, which was fairly impressive. They had almost a dozen types of self serve booze, wine, beer, and champagne (Beau Joie, no less, which is great for a lounge – contrast that to the SkyTeam First Class Lounge LAX, which doesn’t even have champagne).
Star Alliance First Class Lounge LAX alcohol selection
Star Alliance First Class Lounge LAX alcohol selection
Star Alliance First Class Lounge LAX wine/champagne selection
Star Alliance First Class Lounge LAX wine selection
Then they had all kinds of soft drinks, bottled Perrier and Evian, beer, and a coffee machine.
Star Alliance First Class Lounge LAX soft drinks/beer selection
Star Alliance First Class Lounge LAX coffee machine
As you can see the buffet spread itself was lackluster, so they also have an a la carte menu in addition to it.
The menu read as follows:
The selection isn’t huge, though everything I saw served looked excellent. The portions were small, which is great since it means you can try a few different things without spoiling your appetite for the flight.
Star Alliance First Class Lounge LAX brunch — bagel and lox
I had a bagel and lox, which was excellent.
Star Alliance First Class Lounge LAX brunch — bagel and lox
Then after seeing someone else order it, I couldn’t turn down the crepe, which was served with caramelized bananas, strawberries, and whipped cream.
Star Alliance First Class Lounge LAX dessert — Brittany crepe
Service in the lounge was extremely attentive – even though you could serve yourself drinks, the servers were eager to help if you’d like.
The first class lounge is actually connected to the business class lounge via a door in the rear, and you can go between the two lounges using it. There’s an access code to get back from the business class lounge to the first class lounge, which you’re given on a sheet of paper when you enter the lounge.
I checked out the business class lounge during my visit, though I’ll save my thoughts on it for the next installment.
There are two bathrooms in the first class lounge (they’re private rooms), and then there are shower rooms in the business class lounge.
One thing I found interesting about the first class lounge is that there’s actually a private lounge inside the first class lounge. As soon as you enter the first class lounge the door to the private room is immediately to the left, though you’d never know since it blends into the wall.
I only know this because an agent from check-in phoned the lounge agent and told her two VIPs were coming, so she responded by asking what they wanted set up in the private room.
Man, did I quickly feel like a second class citizen. 😉
Anyway, at around 11:20AM I decided to leave the lounge and head to my departure gate, given that boarding was scheduled for 11:40AM.
Tom Bradley International Terminal LAX
My flight was leaving from Gate 150, which is the first gate in the South Concourse. It was just a three minute walk from the lounge.
Tom Bradley International Terminal LAX
Tom Bradley International Terminal LAX
Tom Bradley International Terminal LAX
Gate 150 TBIT LAX
Gate 150 TBIT LAX
The boarding process was a bit of a cluster, whereby the contract “security” agents created queues in the middle of the concourse. I found that a bit odd, since they didn’t even utilize the gate area, but instead blocked the concourse.
Asiana gate signage LAX
There was one queue for first and business class, and then on the opposite side of the gate they were lining up economy passengers by row.
The workers were unnecessarily rude and pushy. Presumably this boarding process is Asiana’s initiative, but I think they need to review how it’s being implemented.
Fortunately I was among the first in line, and boarding did start promptly at 11:40AM.
Asiana gate police LAX
Asiana A380 LAX
Asiana A380 LAX
Asiana A380 LAX
Qantas A380 LAX
I was excited to finally check the last A380 I’ve yet to fly off my list!
Star Alliance First Class Lounge Los Angeles Bottom Line
Lounges in the US typically aren’t that impressive, so as far as US lounges go I’d definitely consider this to be among the best airport lounges. Ultimately there are much nicer lounges outside the US, like the the Air France First Class Lounge in Paris, Emirates A380 First Class Lounge in Dubai, Lufthansa First Class Terminal in Frankfurt, and Thai Airways First Class Lounge & Spa in Bangkok, though that wouldn’t be a totally fair comparison.
Kudos to Star Alliance for working together to run such a solid lounge! I think this is hands down the nicest lounge at LAX.
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.