- Introduction: A New Era Of German Business Class
- Review: Lufthansa Lounge Detroit Airport (DTW)
- Review: Lufthansa Business Class 787 (DTW-FRA)
- Review: Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
- Review: Hilton Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
- Review: Condor Business Class A330-900neo (FRA-SEA)
- Are Condor’s “Prime” Business Class Seats Worth It?
- Review: Marriott Seattle Airport (SEA)
- Review: Alaska Lounge Seattle Airport (SEA)
- Review: Amex Centurion Lounge Seattle Airport (SEA)
- Review: Alaska Airlines 737-900ER First Class (SEA-MIA)
To kick off my quick trip to Germany, I visited the Lufthansa Lounge Detroit, prior to my Lufthansa Boeing 787 flight to Frankfurt.
There are some things that make the Lufthansa Lounge Detroit unique, as it’s not only open to Lufthansa business class passengers, but also to Priority Pass members, and to premium domestic United passengers. Furthermore, there’s a lot to like about this lounge, including a modern design with lots of natural light, and an above average food selection.
Another interesting note — this is Lufthansa’s smallest outstation where it operates its own lounge. Anyway, let’s get into the review…
In this post:
Lufthansa Lounge Detroit location
The Lufthansa Lounge Detroit is located airside in the Warren C. Evans Terminal (previously known as the North Terminal), between gates D7 and D8. This lounge is only open to passengers with flights departing from this terminal, as the other terminals aren’t connected airside. So don’t expect that you’ll be able to use this lounge if flying with Delta.
However, this is the terminal used by most non-SkyTeam airlines, including Lufthansa, Royal Jordanian, Southwest, Spirit, United, etc.
Lufthansa Lounge Detroit hours
While the Lufthansa Lounge’s hours are subject to change, it’s currently open daily from 6AM until 7PM, except on Sundays, when it only opens at 11AM.
Note that there are further time restrictions for those accessing the lounge through Priority Pass, as the lounge can’t be accessed through the program in the hours leading up to the Lufthansa flight’s departure. Those hours vary seasonally, and right now access is limited between 12PM and 4:30PM.
Lufthansa Lounge Detroit entry requirements
There are a variety of ways to access the Lufthansa Lounge Detroit, both through Priority Pass, and through standard Star Alliance lounge access policies:
- The lounge can be accessed by Lufthansa and other Star Alliance business class passengers, as well as Star Alliance Gold members
- One interesting twist is that those who earn Star Alliance Gold status through United MileagePlus (Premier Gold members and above), as well as United first class passengers, can access this lounge even when traveling exclusively domestically on United; this differs from the policy for United Clubs, which restricts MileagePlus elites and first class passengers from accessing lounges on domestic itineraries
- For select hours during the day, Priority Pass members can access the lounge; access is limited to three hours, and an outbound boarding pass must be shown
Interestingly the lounge specifically has signage outside inviting United Airlines passengers in. Obviously that’s a significant source of revenue for the lounge, so it makes sense.
Lufthansa Lounge Detroit layout & seating
The Lufthansa Lounge Detroit was updated a few years ago, and has a pretty fresh feel to it. Interestingly back in the day, this lounge had both a Business Lounge and a Senator Lounge, but the lounge has since been simplified to just make the entire space accessible by all customers.
The reception desk is in the center of the lounge, and then you can either turn left (former Senator Lounge) or right (former Business Lounge). Let’s start with the left side of the lounge, which is more for relaxing, as all the food is on the right side of the lounge. The left side of the lounge has some cafe-style tables, high-top seating, couches, and chairs that swivel. This area also has less natural light.
There are a few seats in this area that are reserved for Lufthansa’s top-tier HON Circle members, though there’s not really anything that makes these seats special.
There’s a space for a buffet in this part of the lounge, though it’s not used anymore, aside from there being a coffee machine. It’s otherwise decorated with plants and other festive items.
Then the right side of the lounge has a more open layout, with a bunch of dining tables, some high-top seating by the windows, and a communal table in the back.
The lounge has great apron views, and in the distance you can even see the runway. The right side of the lounge has a lot more windows than the left side of the lounge, in case that’s something you care about.
Lufthansa Lounge Detroit food & drinks
The quality of the catering at the Lufthansa Lounge Detroit varies throughout the day, as you’d expect. Specifically, there’s a basic food selection throughout the day (for Priority Pass members and United passengers), and then in the hours leading up to the Lufthansa flight, the selection is improved. Food and drinks in the lounge are entirely self serve.
The basic selection food selection included fresh fruit, salad, mozzarella, veggies, packaged chips, and finger sandwiches.
Then prior to the Lufthansa flight, a solid selection of warm food was brought out, including sausages, cheese ravioli, roasted red potatoes, pretzel knots, veggies, and soup.
Interestingly there was no dessert, though a couple of hours before the Frankfurt flight’s departure, a lounge staff member came around with a tray that had Lindt chocolates and other sweets on it.
As far as drinks go, there was a selection of red and white wine, a basic selection of liquor, beer, soda, and a coffee machine.
Lufthansa Lounge Detroit bathrooms
The Lufthansa Lounge Detroit has two sets of bathrooms. On each side of the lounge there’s a single private men’s room and women’s room.
The bathrooms were huge, though not particularly modern. And with just one set of bathrooms on each side, there was sometimes a wait to use the bathroom.
The Lufthansa Lounge Detroit doesn’t have showers, unfortunately.
Bottom line
The Lufthansa Lounge Detroit offers lots of natural light, is a good size, and has a pretty good selection of food and drinks. While I wouldn’t say it’s among the best lounges in the United States, this is an above average Priority Pass lounge, and it’s also a treat for premium United passengers to have access to this when traveling exclusively within the United States.
For Lufthansa passengers, this lounge is exactly what you’d expect. Lufthansa is incredibly consistent with its lounge decor and catering, and this is no exception. Perhaps the only difference was that this lounge “only” had pretzel knots, rather than actual pretzels.
What do you make of the Lufthansa Lounge Detroit?
Anyone know if Alaska Airlines Plus lounge members can use this lounge if flying out of a D gate?
Question: So ... could someone use this lounge with a Priority Pass entry and a Delta outbound international ticket? I cannot get my wife in with me for free to the Delta lounges, but should be able to do that here if I can get into this terminal and lounge.
I don't think so because all Delta flights are out of the larger McNamara terminal while this lounge is in the smaller Evans terminal, and they are NOT connected to each other.
The lounge is most disappointing now for those of us who remember how good it used to be pre-pandemic.
The spirits offerings used to be better before 2020. The food is still quite good during LH hours (when it is closed to PP), but drops off substantially to slightly below standard PP (The Club) fare during the rest of the day. The beverage options are still solidly above standard PP fare. If you are...
The lounge is most disappointing now for those of us who remember how good it used to be pre-pandemic.
The spirits offerings used to be better before 2020. The food is still quite good during LH hours (when it is closed to PP), but drops off substantially to slightly below standard PP (The Club) fare during the rest of the day. The beverage options are still solidly above standard PP fare. If you are flying from the north terminal during the blocked out hours for PP, you can arrive promptly at 3:30 and will likely will be able to scavenge from the remaining hot food buffet, but don't expect any replenishment.
Wycliff sparkling wine? Ha. That is completely undrinkable wine.
This is a great opportunity for priority pass flyers of the LCCs to use this lounge, especially with Spirit's large presence in Detroit
This is a great opportunity for priority pass flyers of the LCCs to use this lounge, especially with Spirits large presence in Detroit
Pre pandemic this was one of my favorite lounges. I would give it 5 stars! To the right, which I believe was for top tier status, the food selection was incredible. There was an extensive buffet of scrumptious prawns and at least another two hot meat dishes. The quality was exceptional. It sounds like post pandemic the selection of quality food has been cut. What a shame as it really was exceptional, never packed with...
Pre pandemic this was one of my favorite lounges. I would give it 5 stars! To the right, which I believe was for top tier status, the food selection was incredible. There was an extensive buffet of scrumptious prawns and at least another two hot meat dishes. The quality was exceptional. It sounds like post pandemic the selection of quality food has been cut. What a shame as it really was exceptional, never packed with masses of people and offere a gentile high quality environment pre flight. They need to reinstate the service offers pre pandemic.
Not sure why lounges don't get a basic amenity that can move a rating of a lounge by a full point or two on a five point scale... enough bathrooms!!!
multiple urinals, multiple stalls. Yes there is an initial investment, but after that, cleaning a bathroom is more or less cleaning a bathroom.
It is not a bad lounge and certainly gives lufty’s Fra options a run for their money.
I just love that they were able to recreate the utilitarian German loo with that timeless German “Amt” / hospital experience in Detroit!!
Well done Lufthansa for bringing that German feel to the US lol
I am flying TK business from IAD to IST later in April. Should I try the Polaris lounge in the C terminal or is the Turkish lounge good enough?
I visited the Turkish lounge in IAD last month, it was really packed and the single shower there wasn't working (closed for repairs). The food was good though. I didn't fly business (was doing UA with Star Gold) so couldn't enter Polaris, but I would've definitely picked that if I had the chance!
I've gone through this lounge during PP hours as a United elite/First Class customer a couple of times, usually mid-morning. The two times this year so far, the only staff was an attendant sitting at the front desk playing a game on her phone. Food was about 1/4 bowl of fruit and some cereal. Maybe a dozen total sodas in the fridge. It serves as a good bathroom stop, but barely even that.
Honestly, this is one of my favorite lounges in the US. I have the occasion now and then to fly DTW - ORD on UA, and food options in that terminal are few and far between. This lounge is a godsend. I tend to time it so that I get in for the food prior to the LH flight departing, and when they start boarding and the lounge clears out, it's an ideal place to...
Honestly, this is one of my favorite lounges in the US. I have the occasion now and then to fly DTW - ORD on UA, and food options in that terminal are few and far between. This lounge is a godsend. I tend to time it so that I get in for the food prior to the LH flight departing, and when they start boarding and the lounge clears out, it's an ideal place to get a little business done and relax with a nice glass of wine. The atmosphere is conducive to both. Kudos to LH and to Star for this little hidden oasis.
Also passengers flying Royal Jordanian from DTW in business class and those that are Oneworld elite members traveling same day on Royal Jordanian can access this lounge too.
IAD has a bunch of UCs, a Polaris, Turkish, and of course LH. DTW this is the only game in town.
So yes, “unique”.
Unique? IIRC, the IAD LH lounge accepts the same - LH, PP, and UA premium/Club passengers. Although, it is divided between SEN and business.
Nice ambience but the food offering is far from solid for sure, I understand PP offerings would be well rabbit food with some wraps but the evening meal options leave a lot to be desired or not.
Your mashed potatoes actually look a lot like ravioli with some cheese sauce to me. ;)
Looks like it has improved 'slightly' since the redesign. I used to use this as a PP lounge flying that terminal (the "not delta" terminal, i.e. southwest) a fair amount. Comfortable space, decent drinks, but very basic snacks/ food. They had some nice plane models and memorabilia also.
Also just add to the list of passengers that can use the LH lounge at DTW. Royal Jordanian uses this lounge for their business class passengers when departing DTW and those with Oneworld elite status can also use the LH lounge when departing on a Royal Jordanian flight from DTW.