The old New Orleans Sky Club was, well, uninspiring and rather boring. What about the brand new club Delta has just opened up at the end of last year? Let’s take a look.
Gone are check-in desks; they’re replaced with kiosks and reps using handheld scanners to check you in. I get this is the modern trend (think Euro banking centers) but I still like a real desk.
You then have two choices to enter the lounge: either the stairs just past check-in or an elevator to take you the one floor up.
From either direction, you end up at a customer service area with similar kiosks as downstairs. First off I am impressed that these two are separated. The Detroit Sky Club recently, in one of their many main Sky Club modifications, moved it downstairs near check-in. It is never a good idea to have the two close to each other – real separation works. Wise move, MSY.
Is the club larger than the old one? Maybe — but not by much. But it does win in a number of other ways.
Like most of the modern Sky Clubs, there is a full-service bar with a number of complimentary drink choices and premium beverages for an upcharge (#ProTip – never flush your SkyMiles paying for drinks that should be free IMO).
The views and the light in this club are clearly a vast improvement over the old one. Expansive runway and terminal views elevate the club (literally and figuratively). What else?
One of the neatest features — and maybe especially so in the age we are living in — is the non-touch automated lavatory door openers (disclaimer: the men’s door was stuck in the open position for a while during our visit – awkward). This wave at the button and the door opens is tops (there is one on the inside as well).
Faxing or email docs to the club printer has been replaced with this Ricoh that lets you use your thumb drive to print your documents.
In the back part of the club are two TVs. Unlike most club TVs that are either too loud or too soft, Delta has muted the TVs and encourages you to use an app (and your headphones – maybe like these – love them) to enjoy the broadcast. Brilliant upgrade! On to beverage choices or as Delta calls it “hydration.”
Compared to the mega Coke machine at some Sky Clubs, I love this compact one. The coffee maker seems more compact than others but for you Starbucks lovers you are all set! Food next and it is compact but flavorful.
I love the healthy salad choices that now are available at just about any Sky Club you visit. But the MSY club has local choices on rotation. For me it was gumbo. It. Was. Amazing!!!
Tons of spicy sausage and rich flavor. Oh my. You want this – trust me. Normally this is about the end of the review of a club but the art in this club, including the attention to detail in lighting etc., is really cool.
Enough to make “Banksy” proud (yes, we visited a New Orleans Banksy on our visit but that is for another post).
Overall this is a HUGE improvement over the old club. As far as size goes I wish they had made it a little bit larger and that is my only complaint. If you are in/out of MSY (and clearly are flying Delta) be sure to book time for a visit – you will enjoy it. – René
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Looks like the same catering company as DCA, IND, BOS, etc. Meanwhile, DTW and ATL has crappier food: