Review: Star Alliance Business Class Lounge – Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

…still a STAR after all these years

This expansive lounge maintains its place as one of the best business class lounges in the United States. Best features remain the outdoor deck, the indoor deck that looks out over the Tom Bradley Terminal “mall”, a standout cocktail bar, and a large buffet – highlighted by a noodle and ramen station.

The summary

The lounge is located in the Tom Bradley Int’l Terminal (TBIT), which is a lengthy walk from the United gates in terminal 7 and the Air Canada gates in terminal 6 – so leave yourself time if you want to check it out. The lounge accessible to all Star Alliance Gold travelers, as well as United Club and Maple Leaf Lounge members departing on any Star Alliance flight – but check the Star Alliance web site for access policy and updates.

The lounge is on level 6 of the TBIT. After presenting your credentials, you are welcomed into the lounge (which is actually run by Air New Zealand). There is luggage room to the immediate right after reception – but oddly I saw that it was unused. There is also a small library like area to the left, with sofas, tables and chairs. Next to that is another sectioned alcove.

The main lounge room is right after that – and it’s really just one expansive room with many sections that are cleverly separated by some white curtains. Seating here is a combination of blue chairs and sofas.

Further down is another sectioned room, a bit darker but very nice. Across from that is a darkened TV room (TNT was on the air) with wide comfy chairs. Keep walking and you will come across the shower suite corridor.

A little bit further, you arrive at one of the lounge’s and airport’s highlights: The outdoor deck. I was last here at night, when the firepits were on. However, for the most recent visit, it was a bright sunny day at LAX so the chance to breath some open air (I did not say fresh) was an welcome treat.

After sunning myself, it was time for a shower. There are eight functional shower suites. They are not the most luxurious I have been to – but they are certainly welcome and get the job done.

Now for the food and drinks. The dining area is on the right side of the main room. Seating here is primarily tables for two, with chair and sofa seating or communal hi-top tables. The buffet was extensive: wraps (some veggie only), salads (including grain salads), bbq chick breasts, grilled carrots, pretzels, chips, cheese (yay, gouda!) and crackers, and rolls. For dessert there were eclairs, cheesecake, and fruit. The buffet ends at the large beverage station with wine for you to pour, sodas from a soft drink machine, coffee and espresso. The entire buffet is in front of an attractive wall stacked with wine bottles. The washrooms are behind the wine wall.

Then (next to the beverage station) there is the ramen/noodle bar. Wheat and rice noodles, 4 different soups/broths, chicken, mushrooms, onions, and so much more! I made it myself – and I am no expert.

On the left side of the main room is the bar, where the friendly bartender can make every kind of conceivable drink. At the far (right) end of the bar is a station where you can make a bloody mary (and other drinks I presume) as well as a soft drink machine. Behind the bar is another highlight of the lounge: the open seating area that looks out over the TBIT shopping area (really a high-end mall with Gucci, Burberry etc).

There was no password to use the wifi network. Connectivity was seamless and fast. There were outlets everyone. Staff was continuously, restocking food and straightening things up – this lounge is very busy

This lounge has stood the test of time and has kept its “cache”. That said, the quality of lounges at LAX (especially from skyteam) continues to improve. While this lounge does not need a renovation, this lounge is no longer the only standout at LAX.

The wrap

…The details. Date – May 10, 2025. Rating: Awesome. Access: Star Alliance Gold/United Club member

…What I like: The outdoor deck, the noodle bar, the bar

…What I don’t like: Crowds before banks of departures.