If you are flying out of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Delta airlines, you will need to know the best LAX airport lounge. Your lounge access depends on your class of flight, which airline you are flying with, and your status with an alliance like Oneworld, Skyteam, or Star Alliance.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is one of the largest airport hubs in the United States, with nine terminals. It has a large number of airport lounges, but which lounge is best if you are flying on Delta?
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. 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).
2. 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. You will find drinking water from machines within the buffet, 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.
3. Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, Terminal 2
If you are flying internationally on Delta, the best airport lounge you can choose is not one of the Delta Sky Clubs. Instead, you might want to consider heading over to the excellent Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse. You see, 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.
You and a guest should be able to enter the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, Terminal 2, if you are traveling on the same day, on an international flight operated by Virgin Atlantic, Delta Air Lines, Air France, or KLM.
Here is who Virgin outlines can also access the Clubhouse for free:
- Passengers traveling in Upper Class
- Flying Club Gold members traveling with Virgin
- Delta SkyMiles Diamond Medallion cardholders*
- Delta SkyMiles Platinum Medallion cardholders*
- Delta SkyMiles Gold Medallion cardholders*
- Flying Blue Platinum cardholders*
- Flying Blue Gold cardholders*
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Elite Gold members and PPS cardholders*
- Virgin Australia Velocity Club Gold cardholders*
- Virgin Australia Velocity Club Platinum cardholders*
- Virgin Australia Velocity The Club cardholders*
*When traveling on a Virgin Atlantic operated flight.
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.
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