Recently I visited LA for a few days and had a chance to see the outside of the LAX DeltaONE check-in. As you can see, the “door” is guarded by a poor Delta rep who gets the joy of inhaling car fumes for who knows how long while they wait to check off if you are on the digital list to enter this new-ish way to check-in for your business class DeltaONE flight, that is, the business class seat that is, most times unless there is a mechanical issue and another jet is inserted for a flight, a full-flat seat from LAX to JFK
If you just turn around you will see, looking the other way, the Priority check-in for Medallions, Skyteam elites and those in regular old “business class” (yeah I know, confusing, Delta only has two kinds of seats, business and coach that is, but markets them as a bunch more).
Here is the thing. I have seen other bloggers review this “luxurious” check-in space with a tiny lounge with a few sparse amenities and I just don’t get it. Now if there happens to be a LONG wait at the normal elite check-in and you have a ton of bags then I can see this being a bit faster (but should there be a LONG wait ever for the rest of business class travelers and elites?)! Otherwise, just what is the point of this?
There is one more little goodie about this wiz-bang LAXtoLUX check-in. Once you are done you are dumped out into the standard “Priority” TSA lines. Yep, no special screening for you. In fact, if you have TSA PreCheck you have to walk a bit and come out, you guessed it, right at the top of the escalator where the Priority door is.
So, if you happen to be all carry-on, have your boarding pass in the Fly Delta App, using the DeltaONE entrance does nothing but waste your time on the way to either the gate or the new and improved LAX Sky Club (see the review HERE) that also does not have the planned DeltaONE / PVT VIP area that was once in the works.
I just don’t understand this one. Delta has spent what looks alike a huge chunk of cash on this all but frivolous perk for DeltaONE that is all but a non-perk. I would rather have seen them take the money spent on this and pour it back into the decimated SkyMiles program but maybe that is just me.
Have you tested the DeltaONE LAX check-in yet? Were you impressed? Was this a service so great that made you say “boy this is worth the money to fly DeltaONE from LAX“? I would love to know – René
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Yes it’s more Delta marketing bluster – this airline peaked 2 years ago
This new check-in area is really for celebrities to avoid paparazzi.
René –
What a CONCEPT! I hardly EVER see the outside of an airport on my Mileage Runs! (I hate re-entering the TSA lines, duh.)
Anyway, I was disappointed with DeltaONE at LAX as compared to the experience at JFK . Now even that experience has dimished in its value now that Delta discontinued the DeltaONE complimentary meals inside the JFK Terminal 5 SkyClub.
I flew Delta One end of August. I agree, Nothing really special here, it was early in the morning so I was the only one in this mini lounge. The attendants were very friendly and attentive, but it really is a waste of time.
It’s just DL playing catching up to AA’s Flagship service and UA’s Global Services check-in area. Believe it or not, some folks might want the exclusivity.
Flew Delta One SLC to AMS and was shocked at the downgrade from the ‘herringbone’ lay flat seats. The DeltaOne product is very cramped and I really don’t expect to have to use the seatback in front of me to help make it out of my BC seat. Won’t fly that product again!
Another blunder by Delta. The DeltaOne seat is more like EC++. Certainly not worth BC fare. Back to KLM / AF or United.
Hi Rene! I did use the Delta One Check In on my flight to New York in August and they did not “dump us out into the priority line” but they took us to the front of the priority line where we experienced no wait at all. Thankfully, this happened because the priority line had about 30 people in line haha.
Small lounge with sparse amenities = a bottle of water you have to throw away once you hit the TSA checkpoint. Delta needs to take a pointer from Virgin Atlantic at LHR and at least offer somewhat of an experience at check in.
It doesn’t matter how nice this check-in area is, you wouldn’t pay for DL J either way.
Rene- completely agree. It is actually faster to use the priority entrance of you are not a paparazzi target. Otherwise, I believe for a fee, you can bypass us commoners.
I decided to use the delta one entrance 2 trips ago at 5:00am. 1 agent to service everyone. Was there for 20 minutes. Subsequent trip went back to old area….2 minutes.
My husband used the Delta One check-in last month, and enjoyed the friendlier service, otherwise it was just another way to check-in. We were both flying from LAX to Sydney, while by comparison I flew business on Virgin Australia.
Delta should use the money instead to upgrade the actual flying experience- on Virgin Australia I got a flat bed pad, a comfy sleeper suit, charming and friendly flight assistants ( three of them came up and personally introduced themselves,) a drinks bar, and much better food, including soy milk available for tea and coffee!!!
As you know, on that same flight across the Pacific in business class, Delta has none of these amenities, and certainly none of the friendliness!
The flying experience is what creates loyalty, not a brief check-in experience!
Was dropped off between the DeltaOne and Priority entrances at LAX today. It took 1 minute and 12 seconds to get from the drop-off point to the TSA-Pre line using the Priority entrance. Another 2 minutes and 22 seconds to get through security (there were a few people in front of me).