First look: Delta One Lounge at LAX dazzles as airline doubles down on big spenders

09.10.2024 - 06:23 / thepointsguy.com / John F.Kennedy / Delta I (I) / Delta

When Delta Air Lines opened its luxurious Delta One Lounge at New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) this summer, it was a new chapter for an airline that prides itself on delivering travelers a premium experience.

It certainly was a step forward for Delta: Immediately, the business class-only lounge inside JFK's Terminal 4 became one of the nicest airport lounges you'll find anywhere in the U.S.

Now, Delta is doubling down with its second such airport oasis — on the West Coast.

On Thursday, Delta will cut the ribbon on its second Delta One Lounge in its network, and it's inside Terminal 3 at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

At just over 10,000 square feet, the exclusive facility at LAX is roughly a quarter of the size of Delta's sprawling JFK space.

But as TPG saw during a sneak peek Monday, the lounge offers a wide range of thoughtful design touches, amenities, art, and especially food and beverage options to make the space a worthy sequel to Delta's high-end New York outpost.

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Your trip to the Delta One Lounge at LAX technically begins curbside, just outside the lower-level baggage claim area at LAX Terminal 3.

It's a special entrance Delta's high-end JFK lounge does not currently offer — though that's set to change in a matter of weeks.

The exclusive entrance at LAX, which actually opened more than a year ago, is reserved for travelers confirmed on tickets marketed as Delta One. The space features a dedicated Transportation Security Agency checkpoint — not to mention none of the noise and organized chaos most travelers expect at an airport check-in area.

This particular entrance opened in 2023 and has saved Delta One travelers time and stress ever since.

However, adding a Delta One Lounge to the mix will truly bring the allure of this concept to life since travelers already get dropped off at the carrier's current LAX Sky Club, which debuted in 2022.

The honking horns on the Terminal 3 arrivals curb fade as soon as you walk through the sliding doors. If you need a moment to relax after the ride to the airport, grab a seat, a drink or a snack in the lobby.

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Then, as TPG saw during a 2023 tour, you can check in at one of the least utilitarian ticketing counters you'll ever see at an airport — one that looks more like the front desk at a luxury hotel.

From there, you'll proceed to the semiprivate TSA checkpoint.

Again, this particular concept has existed for well over a year; today, an elevator just past the checkpoint leads travelers right to a Delta Sky Club.

But Delta One travelers will have an even better option.

Take the elevator up from