Just beautiful, with amazing sushi! Maybe the nicest lounge at LAX!
Delta matches its JFK location with this luxurious outpost in Los Angeles. The amazing sushi, outdoor terrace and elegant restaurant were the highlights.
I don’t often visit a lounge upon arriving at an airport. However, since I did not eat on my flight from JFK and my ticket was branded as “Delta One”, I was able to access this new lounge at LAX. The lounge is up one level from the gates in Terminal 3, near the security checkpoint. After taking the elevator up one level, you can either enter to Delta One Lounge straight ahead, or go right to access the Delta Sky Club (which is supposed to be excellent).
Upon entry, there are very attractive and luxurious seating areas to both the left and right. A variety of seating options and interesting artwork adorn these spaces.
Straight ahead is the attractive bar, with a variety of seats both at the bar and in the general vicinity. There is an extensive bar menu. Like the JFK outpost, there is a charge for “reserve” drinks, but most travelers will find the complementary offerings more than satisfactory. Across from the bar is the large coffee and espresso area.
Behind the bar and to the right is the formal dining room. It is elegant and rather dark room – in a speakeasy sort of way. Actually, most of the dining in this lounge is a la carte. There is no market/buffet like at JFK. But you can order a la carte from anywhere in the lounge.
There is a wonderful sushi bar in the lounge. I had the best sashimi I ever had in an airport – maybe anywhere. The only real buffet items are on the dessert table. It all looked amazing! There is table seating throughout so you do not have to eat in the the dining room. The tables near the sushi bar have great tarmac views.
Speaking of tarmac views, there is a wonderful open air terrace. This is perfect given LA’s warm climate. Naturally, there are views of the tarmac and lots of greenery. I noticed a champagne and wine cart on the terrace.
One advantage of the LAX Delta One Lounge as opposed to JFK is the washroom situation. There are several individual washrooms, which I naturally prefer to the communal ones. These ones are especially large – which is perfect if you want to change your clothes before or after your flight. If there is a knock against this lounge is that you have to go next door to the adjacent Sky Club to have a shower. There are none in the Delta One Lounge here – which seems to be an odd choice. The spa area is near the lounge entry – but given the late hour and the need to get my rental car – I did not check that out. Also – kudos to the staff. They all seem to be proud to work in such a nice space.
LAX has incredible lounges – for all three major alliances. With the new Air France Lounge, Virgin Clubhouse (both in the TBIT), and now this lounge, Sky Team travelers in business and first class have some incredible options. This lounge surpasses the Virgin Clubhouse to be sure – and without ever visiting United’s Polaris Lounge in Terminal 7 – this gets my vote for the finest lounge in the airport.
…The details. Date – June 18, 2025. Rating: Superior. Access: Delta One Ticket
…What I like: The food (sushi), drink, staff, decor
…What I don’t like: Showers are next door
