There’s no shortage of oneworld Alliance lounges in Los Angeles, with seven spaces welcoming eligible frequent flyers and other premium passengers. One of those offerings is the Alaska Lounge, serving as the only oneworld lounge in Los Angeles Terminal 6.

But here’s the thing. You don’t necessarily need to be flying with Alaska Airlines to stop by. In fact, once you master the oneworld lounge rules, you’ll be able to mix and match airlines and frequent flyer cards as you explore. Case in point – today, I’m flying on an American Airlines ticket, with my Qantas status linked. Even though I’m not travelling with Alaska Airlines, and don’t have status directly with Alaska Airlines, I can still stop by under the oneworld rules.

Read on to learn what the Alaska Lounge has to offer, and how you can qualify for entry.

Qantas Premier Platinum

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  • Sign-up Bonus: Up to 90,000 bonus Qantas Points
  • Rewards Earn Rate: 1 Qantas Point per whole AU$1 on Domestic Spend up to $10,000 per statement period and 0.5 thereafter. 1.5 Qantas Points per whole AU$1 equivalent on international spend plus 1 additional Qantas Point per whole AU$1 on selected Qantas spend. 
  • Annual Fee: $349 for the first year and $399 p.a. ongoing

The Qantas Premier Platinum card offers 50,000 bonus Qantas Points for new cardholders who spend $5,000 or more on eligible purchases within 3 months from approval, and an additional 40,000 bonus Qantas Points for those who haven’t earned Qantas Points with a credit or charge card in the last 12 months. The card also includes a discounted first-year annual fee, two complimentary airport lounge passes, and 0% p.a. interest for 6 months on Balance Transfers (a 2% Balance Transfer fee applies).

Location, layout and seating

To find the Alaska Lounge in Los Angeles, venture towards gate 64 in Terminal 6. Its location is also conveniently close to the escalator up from the inter-terminal walkway. Hint: you can access T6, and this lounge, even if you’re flying from another terminal at LAX. For instance, T4/5 on American Airlines, or the Tom Bradley International Terminal on Qantas or another oneworld carrier.

Once inside, you’ll find a light and bright space built for busy periods, but comfortable during those quieter times. Fortunately, today, things are on the quiet side. I have the choice pick of seats, and settle down at a table by the window. When you have views of one of the busiest airports in the US, why sit anywhere else?

While a few extra power points in this area wouldn’t go astray, the lounge is otherwise blanketed in sockets. Wi-Fi speeds are terrific for large file transfers and cloud backups. Speed tests during this visit showed downloads averaging 123Mbps down and 187Mbps up. That’s zippier than the bulk of lounge Wi-Fi networks that I come across.

Food and beverage in the Alaska Lounge, Los Angeles

The Alaska Lounge in Los Angeles serves up a reasonable selection of hot food and inclusive drinks. Premium choices – such as upgraded spirits and specific dishes cooked to order – can also be ordered at a charge. But let’s begin with what’s included for every passenger.

On the hot food front, there’s the ‘potato bar’. That’s code for roasted potatoes as the hero item, together with sides and toppings. Selections also continue with a fresh salad bar – pleasingly, with black olives also in strong supply. You can also help yourself to soups, fruit, or machine-made pancakes: seemingly, even at lunch time.

Thirsty? Help yourself to filtered coffee or construct a machine-made coffee if you’re in need of caffeine. There’s also a soda (soft drink) machine, or head to the bar for something stronger. Complimentary choices include a selection of red, white and sparkling wines, almost exclusively from California. Entry-level spirits, mixers, and simple cocktails like a Mimosa are gratis too.

For something more, you can purchase premium wines and spirits (circa US$8-10), or a 375mL bottle of Prosecco (US$20). You can also order a selection of hot items at a reasonable charge. I’m in a peckish mood, so I order a cheeseburger. It’s just US$10 and comes with a packet of chips (sneakily saved for later).

Impressively, tipping is not permitted in this lounge. There’s even a sign on display at the bar, which reads, “it’s our pleasure to serve you, please no tipping”. Given tipping at the bar is somewhat expected in Stateside lounges like the American Airlines Admirals Club, it’s a handy point of difference. Especially if you’re just flying through or heading back to Australia and don’t have any spare cash for a gratuity.

Accessing the Alaska Lounge, Los Angeles

Looking to visit the Alaska Lounge before your next flight from Los Angeles? Here are just some of the ways you can qualify for entry. We’ve included the methods most relevant to Australian travellers. Additional options apply for US-based passengers via eligible credit cards, for instance.

  • Alaska Airlines First Class (excluding upgrades) and Hawaiian Airlines Business/First Class with a flight of over 2,000 miles on the day of travel. Or, where the Alaska Airlines First Class passenger is a Club 49 member, for access before First Class flights of any length. Otherwise, on shorter First Class itineraries, or for all upgraded passengers (using miles, cash or complimentary upgrades), access at the discounted rate of US$35.
  • Other oneworld First Class and Business Class flyers on an international flight of 5+ hours. Plus, American Airlines Flagship First customers flying from LA to New York JFK.
  • Most oneworld Emerald and Sapphire frequent flyers (excludes status from Alaska Airlines or American Airlines) prior to any oneworld flight to any domestic or international destination. This includes Qantas Gold members (and higher) taking a US domestic flight.
    • Travellers with oneworld status from a US carrier can visit the lounge when their journey involves a destination other than in the United States, Canada or Mexico. For status from American Airlines, flights to the Caribbean are also precluded from access, although flights to Mexico City permit entry. American Airlines ConciergeKey and Airpass members can visit the lounge regardless of their destination.
  • Qantas Club members departing on any Alaska Airlines flight when booked on a QF codeshare.
  • Alaska Lounge and Lounge+ members flying Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, a oneworld carrier or another eligible partner.
  • American Airlines Admirals Club cardholders departing on Alaska Airlines or American Airlines.
  • Paid entry is available for US$65 when flying Alaska Airlines, a oneworld airline or another eligible partner, subject to available space.

This lounge accepted Priority Pass cards some time ago, but access for Priority Pass members is no longer available here.

The verdict

On the whole, the Alaska Lounge in Los Angeles sits in a great location. The floor-to-ceiling windows afford a great flow of natural light and enables those solid airport views. The buffet offers a nice amount of hot food, which you don’t always see in US domestic lounges.

Premium spirits are priced below what you’d expect to pay in an LA bar. By comparison, a single G&T in town set me back over US$20 with tax and tip. Here, prices are lower, tipping is banned, and sales tax doesn’t apply. Nonetheless, it pays to know your options here, as there are six other oneworld lounges to choose from.

Before this American Airlines flight, I could have visited any one of those lounges thanks to oneworld Emerald status. I could have even begun my US domestic trip with a jaunt in LA’s Qantas First Lounge, if I’d had more time to change terminals. But today, I had things to do and places to be. I’ve already gone a little out of my way, to visit the Alaska Lounge in T6 when I’m really flying from T5. But it’s still a big step up from the Admirals Club in the affectionally nicknamed ‘Eagle’s Nest’, which would have otherwise been the most convenient.

As well, the American Airlines Flagship Lounge in Terminal 4 welcomes most oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members. That’s Qantas Gold and above, or the equivalent flyers of many partner programs. If that’s practical for your domestic flight from LAX, it’s a great option as well. Champagne is complimentary, and indeed, the same is true of all the food options. But speaking of options, it’s great to know where you’re welcomed. That way, you can choose the best lounge for you, every time you fly. On a shorter flight like the journey I’m taking today, the best lounge may just be one closest to your gate.

Also read: American Airlines Admirals Club, Los Angeles (Terminal 4)

All photography by Chris Chamberlin, who accessed the lounge courtesy of (earned) frequent flyer status when travelling at his own expense.


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Alaska Lounge, Los Angeles was last modified: April 11th, 2025 by Chris Chamberlin