Lounges

Category Archives for Lounges.

Delta Drops The Hammer On Sky Club Access In Four Ways

by Gary Leff on November 30, 2022

Nov 30 2022

Delta’s Sky Clubs are nicer than competitor products, with more and better food. But they’re also busy. There are frequently (long) lines to get in, and once inside they’re crowded – hardly a respite from the terminal. Delta has a problem, driven in part by more people with access through credit cards because of their Amex agreement, and in part because a nicer lounge means passengers are more likely to go when eligible.

This week I wrote that Delta Air Lines would cut Sky Club lounge access for elites flying coach on international itineraries. They’re doing that. But they’re going further.

Report: Delta To Cut Lounge Access For Elites Flying International Coach, Premium Economy

by Gary Leff on November 28, 2022

Nov 28 2022

Delta is reportedly on the verge of an announcement to cut Sky Club access for elite frequent flyers traveling in long haul economy and premium economy cabins.

These new restrictions, if implemented, would become part of a strategy to address extreme crowding in the airline’s lounges that have lead to long lines and to turning away club members in some locations.

What Delta Is Doing To Reduce Long Lines To Get Into Sky Clubs

by Gary Leff on November 21, 2022

Nov 21 2022

Brian Sumers of Skift interviewed Allison Ausband, executive vice president and chief customer experience officer at Delta. He asked her about Sky Club overcrowding and the lines to get in. She shared what Delta is doing about it.

Report: Plaza Premium Lounge, Orlando Airport Terminal 3

by Gary Leff on November 6, 2022

Nov 06 2022

Orlando International Airport’s new terminal C has only been open for about six weeks. The new Plaza Premium lounge in the terminal is now open, and it looks fantastic.

Plaza Premium lounges can be accessed with American Express Platinum and Centurion cards and Capital One Venture X cards can access the lounge, too. It’s also available as a pay-in.

Why Are Airport Lounges So Crowded?

by Gary Leff on October 31, 2022

Oct 31 2022

Passengers look for a way to escape the chaos of the airport. And more passengers who are traveling have access to lounges than ever. The nicer the lounge, the longer passengers stay there. They make an effort to visit, and they take advantage of the food and the libations.

Even when lounges do their best to limit access, to reduce crowding, that just attracts the passengers who had been staying away because the lounges were so crowded. This was true to some extend before the pandemic. So what’s the issue now?

[OPENS OCTOBER 25] What American’s Newest Lounge Looks Like, And I’m Blown Away

by Gary Leff on October 18, 2022

Oct 18 2022

Back in August American Airlines teased a new design template for its Admirals Clubs, starting with the new club opening on the E (regional jet) concourse at Washington’s National airport.

We got clues to what American was thinking design-wise when they shared renderings last year of the delayed new Austin club. It’s a total departure from the current design template that’s most generously described as sterile and institutional. It’s gorgeous and feels genuinely high end. In other words it feels too nice for American Airlines and I’m struggling to know what to make of it.

Capital One Launches New Airport Lounge Concept With José Andrés

by Gary Leff on October 18, 2022

Oct 18 2022

Capital One is announcing a new lounge concept, in addition to its pipeline of Capital One lounges. The first two airports will be New York LaGuardia and Washington National.

These will be called Capital One Landings, and will be culinary-focused. José Andrés Group is designing a food and beverage menu focused on Spanish-style tapas.

More Than 50% Off American Airlines Admirals Club Access, One Week Only

by Gary Leff on October 11, 2022

Oct 11 2022

For the next week a Qantas Club membership is half off. That means it will will cost ~ US$251 (AU$300 for the membership plus AU$99 joining fee).

Qantas Club membership includes American Airlines Admirals Club access when flying American.

Passengers Now Showing Up At The Airport Before 5 A.M. To Get In Line For The Delta Sky Club

by Gary Leff on September 30, 2022

Sep 30 2022

Getting into a Delta Sky Club these days requires waiting in line like its the U2 Joshua Tree tour in 1987 or a Best Buy Black Friday doorbuster. At New York JFK terminal 4 things are even worse: the China National Highway 110 traffic jam of 2010, which is to say being a Sky Club member in 2022 is akin to Beatlemania – or living your life queueing as though you’re French.

Delta customers have clearly gotten the word that if they want a seat in the club, they need to show up at the airport early, even before the Sky Clubs open.

New Chase Sapphire Lounge Coming To Washington Dulles

by Gary Leff on September 20, 2022

Sep 20 2022

The lounge will be 5200 square feet on the A concourse. The A concourse is also home to the Air France and Virgin Atlantic lounges, though all concourses are connected airside and the A concourse connected to the B side with the Lufthansa, Turkish, and British Airways lounges.

It will include a 1,000 square foot bar/lounge, over 900 square foot dining room, 1,400 square-foot work area, family room, prayer room and kitchen. It will be two levels, seating 74 on the main level of the terminal and 44 upstairs.