Sky Club Los Angeles, Delta has raised the bar for its lounges

I was very curious to visit this lounge, the newest and largest in Delta's portfolio. The one that will dictate the new standards for lounges that we will see at other airports. such as T4 at JFK and many others.

This was also the first time that I entered an official lounge, not because I was traveling in business or because I had the highest possible elite level, But because I had in my wallet my Amex Platinum.

Access

Delta changed its lounge access rules recently. This change was put in place to try to alleviate the chronic crowding experienced by waiting rooms in the US (and beyond).

The rules are different depending on the type of route:

1. If taking off from LAX for an international or intercontinental destination. you will be able to access if you fly business or if you have Skyteam Elte+ status you will be able to access with a guest regardless of travel class.
2. If you fly short/medium range you will not have access in either of the above cases, and the only option will be to take advantage of the exclusive benefit for Platinum Amex holders, but only if you fly Delta, not other Skyteam carriers.

Delta has integrated into its APP the A chance to see how crowded his lounges are. and thus figure out which ones to head toward and which ones to avoid.

Location

At LAX there are two Sky Clubs. After passing through the checkpoints, one should head toward Terminal 2. This is the first lounge one will encounter along the walkway leading to Terminal 2.

In anticipation of the queues, there are two different lines. Fortunately, there was no one waiting when I arrived, and the lounge was very quiet.

In the U.S., unlike in Italy, employees are very strict about the stay a in the hall: that is why you only enter 3 hours before the flight takes off.

Having a few minutes to wait, I walked around the Delta terminal.

The lounge

Past the controls, one takes the escalators to the upper level. The hall is all one level above the departure level.

Upon reaching the floor, you are greeted by two works of art, the first being a melted ice cream.

The second is an idea that I really like and would like to copy in my office. A kind of table of elements where instead of hydrogen and oxygen there are the elements of travel: boarding pass, money, champagne, tickets.... Really a really nice idea.

The lounge is really beautiful, definitely a level above the American Airlines flagship lounge. Thanks to the huge glass wall. the room is literally flooded with natural light and this creates a truly relaxed environment.

Immediately to the right is the first of the two buffet islands. There is plenty of seating here with a crazy view of the runway, perhaps the best view in the entire lounge.

In the center of the lounge is an immense bar counter. It's amazing how much Americans drink and how much money the bartenders make in tips-something we Italians just don't understand.

At the counter there are more than 15 seats and it's good to see people with 3 screens, two glasses and a couple of phones Do everything from zoom calls to sewing classes.

On the side opposite the bar is the busiest area of the lounge. There are various types of seating and even individual booths where you can lock yourself in and isolate yourself from noise and confusion, or where you can make phone calls without disturbing the rest of the lounge.

There are different solutions: armchairs, sofas, work chairs, in short, to each person his or her ideal solution.

Then there is a TV area, with a mega screen composed of many screens. Various channels are broadcast here at the same time, and everyone sits and watches whatever they want.

There is a kind of cave, where the walls and ceiling are one immense mosaic-a nice way to decorate a space away from the light and otherwise surely less appreciated by guests.

The terrace

One of the most beautiful elements of the lounge is definitely the terrace: it is not a terrace, it is a really big space designed to be experienced all the time.

There is an immense counter manned by bartenders here as well, and it is exactly mirroring the one inside, really nice.

There are then several sessions with an overlook on the track with almost no physical impediments. The difference between inside and outside  is that here you can also hear the music of aircraft engines, so in addition to sight, you also use your hearing.

Food & Beverage

There are two islands with two exactly identical buffets. The only difference is that the second self-service has a rotating local cuisines corner. Delta in fact has a project that aims to introduce local flavors and restaurants; on the day of my visit there were tacos from a well-known LA restaurant.

There is an immense island for drinks, where everything is offered, even super alcohol, but for more refined palates my advice is to go to the counter ( and leave a tip)

The food offerings were varied and ranged over different flavors and cuisines, with even some spoon-fed dessert offerings.

Services

There is a service center where you can solve problems or change your flight. There are toilets and showers, all free and all managed via App, There is nothing else. As to say beautiful and essential, without any coup de théâtre that surprises the guest.

In conclusion

A beautiful lounge with a beautiful view. Not the best in the U.S., but still A step up from the usual Delta offering. Pity only the access rules, really a bad sign if you no longer enter the lounge based on loyalty, but only based on the card held in your wallet.