SOURCE: Exclusive Delta One Lounge *is* Being Built Airside at LAX

Rumors circulated last year that Delta may add a lounge at LAX dedicated exclusively to Delta One passengers. This is in addition to the new Sky Club at LAX, which is part of the Delta Sky Way project.

TPG’s Benji Stawski wrote in February 2020:

A [Delta] spokesperson would only say that the carrier is in the very early planning stages for lounge improvements and still evaluating how it might offer more for Delta One customers on the ground.

“We are always exploring how we can enhance the Delta One experience in the airport, including a differentiated Delta Sky Club for Delta One customers. We are still in early planning stages for the new Club offerings coming to LAX,” the spokesperson said.

Yesterday, a source inside Delta confirmed to us that the plan is going forward.

The new Delta One lounge will be located between Terminals 2 and 3. The red arrow indicates the approximate location of where our source said the Delta One lounge at LAX will be located.

Wait — Isn’t There Already a Delta One Lounge at LAX?

Sorta.

Kinda.

Not really.

Delta has a dedicated check-in area at LAX for its Delta One passengers. There are customer service reps to check baggage, print boarding passes, etc.

It has some snacks and non-alcoholic drinks to enjoy before you clear security.

To be honest, it’s a fancy cubicle. But a darn nice one.

The only real reason to visit the Delta One check-in area at LAX is if you check baggage (and/or pictures for your blog). My wife and I checked in at the LAX Delta One reception area before a Tokyo mileage run. We just needed boarding passes. It would’ve been much quicker getting them at a kiosk or simply using the Fly Delta app. (We’re old enough to still appreciate paper, so we like printed boarding passes.)

After that, you’re able to visit the LAX T2 Sky Club: the same one accessible to mere mortals with Sky Club memberships or certain American Express cards that get you access to Delta lounges.

The Sky Club has more amenities than the Delta One reception lounge. So unless the check-in lines are really long, I don’t know who spends much time there. (Other than, you know, bloggers.)

What Will Be in the Delta One LAX Lounge?

A premium club will certainly bring some added prestige to Delta One — especially because American and United already have dedicated premium lounges. (How about that? Delta is copying American and United — as opposed to the other way around?)

I don’t know exactly what features and amenities will be part of the Delta One LAX lounge. Restaurant-style service with cooked-to-order food? Complimentary top-shelf booze? Yes?

Pre-pandemic, Delta sponsored (or was somehow part of) several events in the entertainment industry. Clam bakes like award shows, benefits, parties, etc.

Coincidentally(?), when media outlets such as TMZ find celebrities at airports, those moments seem to happen rather frequently in Delta terminals.

So a Delta One lounge at LAX could provide another avenue for Delta to court celebrities — and cater to their desires for exclusivity and privacy.

Final Approach

The Delta Sky Way project at LAX is humming along — and will apparently be finished earlier than expected. An exclusive Delta One lounge will likely add more prestige and glitz to the airline’s top product. If the food, beverages, and other amenities are better than Sky Club offerings, a Delta One lounge could be worth the money (or upgrade certificates, points, etc.) to some travelers.