Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is one of the largest airport hubs in the United States, with nine terminals. It has many airport lounges, but which lounge is best if you are flying in First or Business Class or have a Priority Pass or relevant credit card?
Most international airlines fly out of the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) at LAX, but some leave or arrive at terminals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. It is worth noting LAX’s terminal buildings are connected airside, so you can walk or shuttle between airport lounges if you’re flying out of a different terminal from the lounge that you want to use.
If you are staying in Los Angeles, we have reviewed the best executive club lounges at hotels in Los Angeles and the best Marriott hotels near Disneyland as well as the best hotels near LAX.
Free Airport Lounge Access
If you have not paid for Business Class or First Class, you can access airport lounges for free if you have an unlimited Priority Pass or an Amex Platinum card. To get extra bonus referral points and advice on the Platinum American Express and other free lounge access credit cards, have a read of our best credit cards for luxury travel.
1. Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, Terminal 2
The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, Terminal 2 is a fantastic lounge that apparently cost nearly $4 million USD to build 5-ish years ago. It has around 4,000 ft² of floor space and is designed by the same team as the other Clubhouses at JFK and Newark. It takes its design cues from the west coast landscape, with accents of gold to reflect the famous LA sunshine. The walls are adorned with one-of-a-kind artwork, including an installation by California-based digital artist Diana Reichenbach, whose work is shown alongside a hand-drawn mural from British artist Vic Lee.
Amenities include high-speed Wi-Fi, of course, an apothecary-inspired bar with signature cocktails and juice options, and great food. What really stands out about this lounge is the wall of windows offering a view over the planes and overlooking the Hollywood Hills.
The centerpiece of the lounge is a copper-lined bar, showcasing natural Californian produce and plants as well as their famous bar service featuring fabulous cocktails. Working with The Juicery, They’ve created healthy juice options infused with seeds and spices.
Spaces for relaxing and socializing are framed by panoramic views that span from the aircraft just outside the window to the Hollywood sign and the mountains beyond. Fully Wi-Fi-enabled, the lounge provides all the tools that fliers need to get work done before taking off while delighting them with surprising details in the design.
The food and drink concept allows customers to taste and share several dishes, creating a relaxed, sociable atmosphere. The food itself takes inspiration from the clean, healthy west coast lifestyle. Working in collaboration with Hinoki and the Bird, one of LA’s most exciting and innovative restaurants, Virgin has created a travel-inspired menu that capitalizes on the amazing produce available throughout California.
Entry into the Clubhouse is complimentary for Upper-Class passengers traveling between Los Angeles and London Heathrow.
2. United Polaris Lounge Terminal 7
The United Polaris Lounge Terminal 7 is available for departing or connecting United Polaris Business Class passengers and departing long-haul Star Alliance Business or First Class customers. If you are flying Business on United, you could alternatively use the Star Alliance lounge in the Tom Bradley International Terminal.
This lounge is super stylish with a blue and grey color scheme and floor-to-ceiling windows to one side with super views of the planes. There are single seats in half-booths and groups of seats by the windows. There are cafe seats by the buffet. In the middle of the lounge is a long bar with hand-crafted cocktails, beer, wine, spirits, and barista-made coffee.
The buffet is excellent. At breakfast, there are hot sausages, fried potatoes, and scrambled eggs, as well as loads of cold dishes, including rocket and cheese, to sprinkle on your food. There are soups, salads, bread, cheeses, cold cuts, oatmeal, granola, or muesli with fresh berries. There are pastries and muffins too. At lunch, there are pre-prepared mini sandwiches and vol au vents, what looked like mini quiches, rice, pasta, and chicken dishes, huge bowls of salads… the list is almost endless. The afternoon desserts are also a dream, properly restaurant level with brownies, pots of fruity, creamy things, plus if all that doesn’t fill you up, there’s a juice bar too.
Finally, there’s a separate restaurant-style a la carte restaurant within the lounge if the buffet doesn’t fill you up. This newly renovated lounge also has modern shower suites and daybed suites with classy bedding for napping.
This United Polaris lounge is one of the best airport lounges at LAX mainly because it is so smart, there is a la carte dining, they have nap rooms and great shower suites.
3. Qantas First Class Lounge, Tom Bradley International Terminal
The Qantas International First Lounge is one of the best airport lounges at LAX. It is located after security on Level 5 of Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX. I have not placed this lounge at the top of our list as it is rather difficult to get into this lounge, so most of my readers won’t actually have access to this lounge, but if you do have access, you will thoroughly enjoy this lounge experience.
You can access this lounge if you are:
- Flying in first class on Qantas (one guest is allowed)
- You are a Platinum One or Platinum frequent flyer with Qantas and your next flight is Qantas or Oneworld (one guest is allowed)<
- You are a Oneworld Emerald frequent flyer traveling on Oneworld (one guest is allowed)
- American Airlines elites traveling on North American flights, except Mexico City, don’t have access
- Your next onward flight that day is in International First on Oneworld (one guest is allowed)
This airport lounge is spacious with plenty of seating and conference rooms that can be reserved. The Qantas First Class lounge has self-serve soft and alcoholic drinks, but it doesn’t have a buffet. Food is delivered as table service, restaurant-style, with freshly prepared foods from a seasonal menu. The salt and pepper squid and the coconut chicken salad comes highly recommended, but all the food in this lounge is excellent. There are also some snacks like crisps in one of the self-serve drinks areas.
There’s a long bar near the dining area with spirits, cocktails, and coffees, etc. You can order drinks at the bar or from servers in the dining area or self-serve them in the lounge seating areas.
It is worth noting that there is no complimentary spa, there are no sleeping areas, and that there are no workstations in this lounge.
4. Star Alliance lounge, Tom Bradley International Terminal
There are seven exclusive Star Alliance branded lounges around the world. These have been created by regional architects with a local flair to leave you with a positive and lasting memory of that country’s culture. The Star Alliance lounges are located in Buenos Aires (EZE), Los Angeles (LAX), Nagoya (NGO), Paris (CDG), Rio de Janeiro (GIG), Rome (FCO), Amsterdam (AMS), and Sao Paulo (GRU).
The Star Alliance lounge, Tom Bradley International Terminal, is accessible to Star Alliance Gold members with same-day boarding passes and those traveling on a Star Alliance Business or First Class. United Gold and Star Alliance Gold members on United domestic flights can also access the lounge.
There is also a separate Star Alliance First Class lounge nearby that offers a similar setting but fewer people and a la carte dining. In the First Class lounge, you can choose between a small buffet and an à la carte menu, with your meal delivered table service to you.
Star Alliance airlines include United, Air Canada, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, etc. There are airline-specific agents for passengers who travel on Singapore Airlines, EVA Air, Asiana and Air, and New Zealand within this lounge to help passengers with any issues related to their flights.
This large Business Class lounge is excellent, perhaps even better than Centurion lounges, and has an outdoor terrace with plenty of outdoor seating, obstructed views of the planes, and a fire pit. There’s also a grill for barbecues. A large indoor balcony with a full-service bar overlooks the terminal interior.
The hot and cold buffet has lots of fresh food, including four salad options and a noodle bar. Hot food includes coconut chicken curry, sun-dried tomato mac and cheese, and beef stew with vegetables. There are also snacks including bread, crisps, cheese, dips, cold cuts, salads, sandwiches, hot food, and dessert including fruit.
Spirits, wine, and beer are self-serve, though there are bartenders if you want a cocktail. There’s Mumm Napa brut sparkling wine and bottles of Asahi, Corona, Kirin, and Sam Adams Boston Lager in the fridge.
There are 8 showers within the Business Class lounge (but not the First Class Lounge) which is useful. These contain a dental kit, shaving kit, hairdryer, towels, and Soaptopia toiletries.
The food selection is extensive in this lounge, and the outdoor patio area makes it unique. This is a lounge worth spending time in.
5. Emirates Lounge, Tom Bradley International Terminal
The Emirates Lounge, Tom Bradley International Terminal, is smart with gold and brown interior design and intricate partitions. It is a lovely lounge and has really nice views over the interior but not the airport’s exterior.
There’s a delicious round buffet of pre-plated food, including salads, fresh fruit, cheese, desserts, hummus, fruit, and cake with strawberries on top. The hot dishes include 10 delicious bowls of self serve food under heater lamps; fish, chicken, pasta, vegetables, noodles, stuffed tomatoes, and more. There are spirits at the self-serve bar along with wine and beer. The fridges are also full of cans of soft drinks, juice, and bottled water.
This lounge additionally offers shower rooms and a business center with computers.
6. American Airlines Flagship Club, Terminal 4
You can access the American Airlines Admirals Club Lounges if you’re flying in First or Business on American Airlines or are a member of American Airlines Admirals Club and have a same-day boarding pass for American, Alaska, or other Oneworld partners.
One of the best American Airlines Admirals Club Lounges can be found in Terminal 4, LAX. This Admirals Club is reviewed in position five and is next door to the American Airlines Flagship Lounge, with Flagship First Dining, which is the best American Airlines lounge at LAX.
You can access the American Airlines Flagship Club, Terminal 4 at LAX if you are:
- Traveling on qualifying Oneworld long-haul international first and business class flight on the same day
- Traveling in First Class or Business Class on American’s premium transcontinental routes, including from Los Angeles to New York
- American Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Platinum members traveling on a qualifying Oneworld international flight, regardless of the class of travel
- Non-American AAdvantage Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members traveling on any Oneworld flight (even domestic)
- Concierge Key member traveling on any American flight
This lounge is located just past security, across from gate 40, and is open daily from 5:00 – 2:00 am. Outside it is labeled American Airlines Flagship Lounge on a big sign. You can’t miss it! Once inside, the Flagship Lounge is to your left, and the American Airlines Admirals Club can be found to your right.
This club is divided into two The Admirals Admirals Club on one side and The Flagship Club on the other. The Flagship Club is an option for those with First Class and Business Class tickets. The Admirals Club tends to be used by those flyers with day passes and other memberships.
The lounge is large at 14,500 ft², including the Flagship First Dining area that’s only available to passengers traveling in First Class on a three-cabin aircraft.
The lounge has decor in the entrance that reminds me of a piano with black and white keys on the wall (perhaps this is just my head?) and offers semicircle windows overlooking the concourse. Beyond this is the best area in this lounge, in my opinion, which is the area right at the end. This area has huge angled floor-to-ceiling windows on one side and more floor-to-ceiling windows at the end, so this is a corner of massive windows where you can just watch the planes.
Further along, there is a large bar with fun bobbly lighting hanging above it and bar stools set against it. This is a self-serve bar, and it has sections containing a huge variety of alcoholic drinks, including Bollinger Champagne, right from first thing in the morning! There are also cans of soft drinks, pretty much every flavor you could want.
Food-wise, for breakfast, there is a hot buffet with fried potatoes and eggs, and there is a cold buffet area with bread, bagels, smoked salmon, salad, cold cuts, cheeses, cut fruit, etc. Best of all, there is an omelet station where you can order an omelet as you like with any filling you like (there are bowls of tomatoes, cheese, onions, etc., filling to choose from).
This lounge also has a business area and showers as well as a la carte Flagship First table service room with extensive dining that is always impressive and filling. There are also plenty of power outlets and USB ports to enable you to charge up.
7. Admirals Club, Terminal 5
This lounge is a relatively new lounge that opened in 2017, and this Terminal 5 lounge is larger than the Terminal 4 lounge. Both are excellent AA Admirals Club lounges, and it is hard to choose between them in terms of which is best.
The Admirals Club lounge, Terminal 5, is nice looking with artwork on the walls and autumnal grey, brown, and red hues in the decor. Parts of the ceiling have intricate designs, and there are cool paper airplane designs made out of metal stuck on some of the walls. There are all sorts of seating along with business pods to work at connected to a printer, and there are loads of charging and USB points.
The cold buffet is similar to the options in the Terminal 4 lounge, with breakfast which includes bread, bagels, smoked salmon, salad, cold cuts, cheeses, cut fruit, etc. Later in the day, there are complimentary light bites which include tomatoes, carrots, olives, and edamame, as well as pasta salad, chips, and chicken. There’s also made-to-order guacamole and avocado toast with prosciutto in the morning.
The dining area also has a staffed bar with complimentary wine, house spirits, and beer, as well as premium beverages for a fee. There’s an espresso machine, self-serve soda, tea, juice, and water.
Beyond the buffet, there are more chairs and tables, all with a great view of the planes. Finally, there is fast Wi-Fi, and there are showers in this lounge too.
8. Admirals Club, Terminal 4
The second-best American Airlines Admirals Club Lounge can be found in Terminal 4, LAX. This lounge is only marked down into a position below this one because it is not large. While this Admirals Club is the not largest AA lounge at LAX, it has a great design with great food and drinks. This Admirals Club Lounge is next door to a Flagship Lounge, with Flagship First Dining (reviewed above in position one).
This small but excellent lounge is located just past security, across from gate 40, and is open daily from 5:00 – 2:00 am. Outside it is labeled American Airlines Flagship Lounge on a big sign. You can’t miss it!
Once inside, the Flagship Lounge is to your left, and the American Airlines Admirals Club can be found to your right. The Admirals Club is an interesting-looking lounge with many interesting curved ceiling detailing and angled windows offering a great view of the planes. There’s plenty of sofa seating and cafe-style seating in the buffet area.
Further along, there are high seats by the bar and a long shared table for working on with lots of seats around it. Most of the lounge is long and thin, with the windows running up one side, so there are plenty of opportunities to pick a seat overlooking the planes. Beyond this room, there are more rooms with snacks and views and seats, including a lounge with comfy seats and two big TVs. There’s also a kid’s room. There are showers in this lounge too. There are also plenty of power outlets and USB ports to enable you to charge up.
The main buffet has a tea and coffee machine with a soda fountain. There is plenty of food at breakfast, including cake, bread (next to a toasting machine), oatmeal, fresh fruit, hardboiled eggs, avocado toast, and yogurt, which is surrounded by bowls of fruit including strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and melon.
Lunch and dinner options include hummus, pasta salad, fresh fruit and veggies, cheese and crackers, crisps, and soup. If you are still hungry, the lounge also offers a paid menu too. There’s also made-to-order guacamole and avocado toast with prosciutto in the morning.
At the bar, there is free beer, wine, and house spirits. Premium liquor is chargeable.
9. Admirals Club, American Eagle Terminal
This comparatively tiny Admirals Club lounge at LAX is located across from gates 52D and 52E in the American Eagle Terminal and is ideal if you are waiting for an American Eagle region flight. It has all the essentials; comfy chairs, televisions, free Wi-Fi, a business center with printers, free soft and alcoholic drinks, and a food buffet. Power outlets and USB ports are numerous too.
The buffet is smaller than the buffet offered in the Admirals Club lounges in Terminals 4 and 5, but it is decent with a soda fountain. There is also a bar with a bartender who will serve house alcoholic drinks for free or premium drinks for a small extra fee.
10. Delta Sky Club, Terminal 2
You can access the Delta Sky Club, Terminal 2 LAX for free if you are a Sky Club member, Delta One customer, or Amex Platinum cardholder and flying on Delta. Delta’s domestic First does not give you access, only tickets that say Delta One.
This lounge has plenty of comfy seating and big windows with runway views. There are plenty of seats by the windows, and even if you aren’t by the windows, you will still, most likely, still be able to see all the planes parking up and taking off. Almost every seat has a power outlet and USB for charging. California-style prints on the walls brighten up the lounge.
This lounge has two drinks stations, both with Starbucks machines for self-serve drinks. There are plenty of spirits to help yourself to, and underneath the bottles of spirits are cans of soft drinks and beer on tap.
The buffet is hot and cold. At breakfast, you get scrambled eggs, yogurt, granola, and so forth. There are also workstations and four shower suites in this lounge, making it a thoroughly good lounge (although not exceptional).
11. Delta Sky Club, Terminal 3
Delta Sky Club, Terminal 3, is located between gates 53 and 55. This Delta Sky Club is a bit smaller than the Terminal 2 club, and it is incredibly stylish with lots of blue neon lighting, but it lacks natural light, hence its position below the Skyclub in Terminal 2. It does have a wall of windows looking out to the planes, but this is only to one side of the lounge. The rest of the lounge remains inside the terminal and away from the windows.
Beyond the circular seating area under the intricate blue neon-lit ceiling, you will find a busy buffet area with high stools and tables and cafe-style seating. Within the buffet, you will find drinking water from machines, big bowls of salad and dressing, two hot soups (tomato plus one other) with various bread options to dip into the soup, cut raw veggies, pasta, and cookies, and two snack mixes. There are also plenty of soft and alcoholic drinks and a self-serve Starbucks espresso machine.
This is a good lounge with very good food, but it can get busy and lacks views from most areas of the lounge.
12. Oneworld Alliance lounge, Tom Bradley International Terminal
This massive lounge is open to Business Class passengers on Qantas, Cathay Pacific, British Airways, American Airlines, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways, Iberia, and LATAM. Other passengers who can access this lounge include Oneworld Emerald or Sapphire members and those flying Business Class or First Class on a Oneworld airline (although most travelers would be wise to use the Qantas First Class Lounge if they are traveling in First).
This is a stylish lounge with muted lighting and floor-to-ceiling windows to one side. In fact, there are some rather good reclining seats with footstools next to the windows that are great for watching planes.
There’s a hot and cold buffet with a juicer and loads of fresh fruit and vegetables. There are salads, including Caesar and mango salads, plus there are plenty of cakes and muffins. Self-serve wine, beer, and spirits are set out. For soft drinks, you can pick from tea and coffee, as well as sodas from a machine, including Fanta, Sprite, Coca Cola, and Diet Coke.
There are also shower suites and workstations with computers.
13. Etihad Airways lounge, Tom Bradley International Terminal
The Etihad Airways lounge is a petite but stylish lounge with Arabic decor, intricate partitions, and Arabic-style lighting. Orchids and lots of gold touches and slanted shelving give the space a very unique and special ambiance. The only downside of this beautiful lounge is that it lacks views.
There is a fairly limited cold buffet with fresh fruit, cheese, hummus, salads (Caesar and goats cheese), olives, Arabic Mezze, and cookies, plus a very nice a la carte menu that supplements the buffet and is worth picking some items from. Mains include Pan Roast Bass, Rump of Lamb, vegetable curry, and desserts.
There is an alcoholic bar, and there’s a signature cocktail and wine list, and you order drinks from the staffed bar. There are also plenty of soft drinks. Shower suites and a prayer room are present within this lounge.
14. Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, Terminal 6
The Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, Terminal 6, is a small lounge that is open to Star Alliance flyers with Gold Status as well as Air Canada Business Class passengers, but not Priority pass members.
Drinks-wise, you get free self-serve drinks. There are beers on draft or in bottles, wine, and spirits along with soft drinks, teas, and a Lavazza espresso machine.
The food options are limited but mainly healthy, with the exception of pretzels and cookies. There is also fruit, soup, tortilla chips, salsa, and various salads. Other than the soup, the buffet is cold.
There is a variety of seating, enough for everyone, but as this is a small lounge, it can get quite busy just before Air Canada flights leave. There’s also a work area with computers and views of the tarmac from this lounge.
15. Alaska Airlines Lounge, Terminal 6
This new lounge is a part of Priority Pass and is found after security in Terminal 6 at LAX. Walk towards Gate 64 and look for the Alaska lounge sign. You then take the lift up to the lounge.
You can access this lounge if you are an Alaska Lounge member, Admirals Club member, flying in First, or have a Priority Pass.
The lounge is bright and light, with a wall of windows looking out to the planes. There is lots of smart, stylish seating, including high tables and stools, sofa seats, cafe seats, and all have plenty of power points and USB ports. There’s also a kid’s play area, and there are workstations.
The buffet is OK but more snacky than filling, with hard-boiled eggs, bagels, yogurt, and oatmeal for breakfast and soups, salads and cookies in the afternoon. There’s also a pancake machine, local beers on draft, wine and spirits for free, and premium food and liquor available for purchase.
Overall this lounge is a really nice space, beautifully designed, and gets a big thumbs up from us. The main problem with the lounge is the food is rather limited compared to other airport lounges at LAX.
16. Korean Air SkyTeam lounge, Tom Bradley International Terminal
This lounge may well be the worst airline lounge in Tom Bradley International Terminal. It is small and uninteresting, the food and alcohol selection is underwhelming, and it can get very crowded. The Business Class and First Class sections have terraces that overlook the terminal. The Business buffet is cold, but the First Class buffet also has a hot section. The Business Class lounge also offers shower suites.
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