Delta Sky Club, Los Angeles Terminal 3

Over the past decade, airport lounges have come a long way in North America. What were once spaces to grab a quick pre-flight coffee and snack have morphed into venues that travellers will arrive earlier to enjoy. Here in Los Angeles, Delta’s newest Sky Club is most definitely worthy of that early arrival.

Offering a private entrance and security checkpoint for the well-heeled and an outdoor terrace for all lounge guests to enjoy, you’ll want to make the most of your time here. Delta’s Sky Club policies allow access up to three hours before your flight departs – or even longer if you have a connection. Let’s take a look at what’s waiting for you here in LA.

Location and layout

Delta currently offers two lounges at LAX, with a third on the way. This Delta Sky Club sits in Terminal 3 of Los Angeles International Airport. Following the completion of construction works around the terminals here, this now serves as Delta’s ‘main’ LA lounge. In fact, it’s easy to visit even if you’re flying Delta from the nearby Terminal 2 or Tom Bradley International Terminal. That’s because the newly-built Sky Way allows you to walk airside between them.

I check in here in Terminal 3 – and I’m flying from Terminal 3 – but I really appreciate being able to stroll between the buildings. As it happens, a friend is passing through LAX on the same evening as me. They’re flying from T2, so thanks to Sky Way, it’s easy to bid them farewell at their gate. In the years gone by, that would have required queueing for a bus across and waiting again for a bus back. I much prefer this approach. And, of course, it’s now significantly easier to use Delta’s best lounge regardless of which gate you’re departing from.

Back here in Terminal 3, you can access the Sky Club through two different paths. The main entry is after security and along the concourse. If there’s a queue, check the signs to see if you qualify for the express entrance for higher-tier travellers – more on that later. But if you’re beginning your journey at LAX and are flying in Delta One, you’ll want to start your visit at Delta’s separate LAX check-in suite.

There’s no queue today – but if there is, check the sign to see if you qualify for fast-track entry.

It’s quite the grand entrance to Delta’s newest LAX lounge.

This is the perfect place to sit if you’re waiting for somebody to arrive.

Move past the welcome zone and into the lounge itself.

Are you flying Delta One? Be sure to use the private check-in lounge downstairs.

That secluded welcome lounge is attached to the Sky Club and even has its own security checkpoint.

If you come through that private entrance, here’s your first impression of the new Sky Club.

Windows line most of the lounge, so there’s a good amount of natural light during the day.

I like this last touch on departure: exit to Sunset Boulevard.

At the Delta One suite, you can enjoy refreshments as you’re being checked in. When you’re ready, there’s a private TSA checkpoint – from there, you’ll emerge inside the Sky Club itself. It’s quite a private way to arrive, especially in the home of Hollywood.

Seating

Whichever way you enter Delta’s Los Angeles T3 Sky Club, it pays to walk a lap before settling down. This lounge is quite sizeable – so while one section may be particularly busy, other parts may be almost deserted. Even when the lounge is at its busiest, I still find plenty of places to sit.

I spend an afternoon here and don’t find it exceedingly busy. I then make that walk over to Terminal 2 and later return closer to the late evening departure of Delta’s LA-Sydney flight. The lounge is certainly busier then, but there’s no wait to enter and no difficulty in finding a seat.

This lounge is divided into lots of little spaces. It doesn’t just feel like a room filled with chairs.

These tables are handy for dining, although I prefer the seats by the window for light and views.

These high tables are fine for shorter stays or for grabbing a quick bite near the exit of that private TSA point.

This little nook feels a bit like a cafe.

I quite like these personal booths. They’re great for relaxing, dining and working.

I appreciate the way that the lounge offers a variety of seating styles.

Have some work to do? Head to the library.

Power points are handily available near most seats in this lounge.

There’s everything from casual armchairs for a short stay through to dining tables for a proper pre-flight meal. A personal favourite is the comfortable personal booths lining the walls. The L-shaped sofas here are perfect for relaxing and people-watching with drinks and snacks to the side. But swivel around, and you have a personal table and workspace to use, with your own powerpoint at easy reach.

My visit begins in the afternoon, and I find a good amount of natural light throughout the lounge. Windows aren’t ubiquitous, but they do run alongside the bulk of the space. Later in the evening, continue to provide nice views across the airfield. I can’t spot my Sydney-bound Delta Airbus A350 though – it’s hiding around the other side of the terminal building.

Food and beverage in the Delta Sky Club, Los Angeles Terminal 3

When it comes to eating and drinking, Delta’s LAX T3 Sky Club feels more premium than your typical US domestic lounge. For instance, the offerings are a noticeable rung above what you’d find in a standard American Airlines Admirals Club or United Club lounge. That’s to be expected, given that Delta currently only offers one tier of lounge that serves all premium guests.

If I had to compare, the current F&B selections put the humble Delta Sky Club on par with an American Airlines Flagship Lounge. Given Delta’s lounge can be accessed merely by holding the right American Express Card, that’s not to be sniffed at.

Delta’s comprehensive buffet has most needs met. To get things started, there’s a counter with chilled meats and cheeses and a well-stocked collection of sliders and wraps. Peruse the cookie collection or explore light bites such as salads and dips.

Most drinks are complimentary including beer, wine, standard spirits and common cocktails. Premium choices are chargeable.

You wouldn’t see this in New York! Literally…

This lounge is quite large, so it has two separate buffet counters. Options are mirrored at each.

Graze on meats, cheeses and accompaniments.

Fancy a slider, or a wrap for lunch? It’s done.

Dips and breads are nice as a little snack.

Tuck into something fresh at the Delta Sky Club.

Visit the taco bar for something made to order.

The end result? Yum!

The hot options continue and the choices are plentiful.

This wouldn’t be a US lounge without mac and cheese!

Espresso drinks are available from self-serve machines.

For something more substantial, visit the chef’s counter. Today, it’s serving as a taco bar – and these yummy bites are made to order and customised on request. Ribs, rice, pasta, and other hot dishes round out the offerings. This lounge is so big – and caters for so many guests – that there are two separate buffet stations. You’ll largely find the same options at either location, although there’s only one taco bar. Let that be your inspiration to go wandering and explore.

On the beverage side, most standard drinks are complimentary, with more premium selections available for purchase. It’s interesting, though, that as a Delta One guest, (true) Champagne is gratis at the private LAX check-in suite but is chargeable upstairs here in the main lounge. I expect that anomaly will be ironed out when the airline opens its separate Delta One lounge next door.

Amenities in the Delta Sky Club, LAX Terminal 3

By now, you’ve seen most of Delta’s LAX T3 Sky Club. But there’s one part of the lounge that’s a little bit extra special. It’s also a new addition made possible as part of those recent Sky Way works at LAX. I’m talking about a cosy outdoor terrace – and it’s a real vibe.

This outdoor deck isn’t merely an afterthought. So much of the lounge is designed around this very feature. The space is huge – there’s even a dedicated bar out here on the balcony. I’m flying through in mid-May, and the weather is simply perfect. As it happens, that friend of mine flying from Terminal 2 ends up being delayed by several hours. You can guess where we spent that time.

Like its sister Sky Club in New York, this lounge now features an outdoor deck as well.

The seats here are quite comfy and relaxed.

The choice pick of solo travellers angling for a view.

It’s handy finding power outlets even outside.

Psst: this little wall will soon become the new Delta One lounge. It’s already under construction.

Want to use the shower? Head to a kiosk to register.

Staff quickly confirm there’s a shower available and I’m straight in.

The shower suites here are nice and spacious.

Have time to spare? Peruse the reading material.

As for the more ‘routine’ amenities, shower facilities are available here – as you’d expect. I rather like how they’re managed, too. Rather than having to stand in a queue or wait around for a door to unlock, you just register your interest via a nearby kiosk. When a shower is available for you, a truncated version of your name appears in a few different places in the lounge. You can see this information through your smartphone as well.

I’m here all afternoon but I want to see how the showers are managed closer to the departure of Delta’s Sydney flight. I register for a shower only an hour before boarding begins – and there’s no wait. (Okay, three minutes, that doesn’t count!) The showers are well-equipped and squeaky clean.

Wi-Fi coverage blankets the lounge and it’s nice and zippy. When I’m connected, downloads hover around 96Mbps with uploads around 118Mbps. That’s perfect for most tasks, including loading up your own device with content for the flight ahead.

Accessing the Delta Sky Club, Los Angeles T3

It’s fair to say that Delta’s lounge policies are complicated. The airline’s website explains how it works – but its ‘access policy’ page is a staggering 3,700 words. Allow me to simplify and focus on how the rules apply to most Australian travellers visiting Delta’s Los Angeles T3 Sky Club. Here goes!

• By class of travel:
  • Passengers flying Delta One on a domestic or international flight, including when connecting to or from an international Delta One flight.
  • International Business Class and First Class passengers of other SkyTeam airlines, plus LATAM and WestJet.
• By frequent flyer status:
  • SkyTeam Elite Plus members with a same-day international SkyTeam flight (including Delta Basic Economy, but excluding travel to the Caribbean). Access is also available when connecting to or from an eligible same-day international flight.
  • For Delta’s own elite frequent flyers, more restrictive rules apply, and Basic Economy flights are excluded.
  • LATAM Pass Platinum, Black and Black Signature members with a same-day international flight on Delta or LATAM.
  • WestJet Rewards Gold and Platinum members, but only before transborder flights operated by Delta or WestJet.
• By eligible charge card:
  • American Express Platinum Card, Platinum Business Card and (by-invitation) Centurion Members – including those from Australia. Must be travelling on a flight operated by Delta (domestic or international) or on a Delta-marketed flight operated by WestJet. Basic Economy flights are excluded from access.
  • Other US-issued card products also grant access – Delta’s website has more information.
• By lounge membership:
  • Delta Sky Club members travelling on Delta (except on Basic Economy) and with eligible partner airlines – including those outside of SkyTeam. Just note that access when flying Hawaiian Airlines is only available when booked on a Delta (DL) codeshare flight number.

Some travellers also receive fast-track admittance via the main concourse entry.

The verdict

Over the years, I’ve visited a number of Delta’s lounges across the US. In more recent times, they’ve steadily increased in quality. In fact, I’ve been flying Delta for so long that I still remember the old Sky Club over in LAX Terminal 5. At that former home, getting a seat by the window was just about as exciting as things would get.

Fast-forward to today, and things look a whole lot different. Delta’s LAX T3 Sky Club is more of a flagship. Its outdoor terrace brings an element to the pre-flight experience offered by only one other lounge at LAX (Star Alliance Business Class). It’s a great place to relax and unwind.

As for the rest of the lounge, the food and beverage options are substantial. Particularly on the food front, selections are more generous than the typical entry-level lounges of Delta’s domestic competitors. Yet Delta’s lounge is open to all eligible premium flyers. That includes selected American Express Card Members from Australia. It’s quite a perk.

It’ll be interesting to see what the airline does with the new Delta One lounge under construction in Los Angeles. If the baseline Sky Club is this good, expectations of the new lounge should rightly be very high.

Also reviewed: Delta Sky Club, New York JFK Terminal 4, Concourse B

All photography by Chris Chamberlin, who travelled as a guest of Delta Air Lines.