Review: United Club at San Diego International Airport (SAN), Terminal 2

…great balcony and nice breakfast buffet.

Sporting the mid-2010s aesthetic, the United Club in San Diego is an attractive (albeit small) space with a rather large breakfast buffet, an open-air feel with a balcony overlooking the terminal, and a hardworking staff. Kudos to a gelato station!

The summary

The lounge is above the Sunset Cove dining area in Terminal 2, on the mezzanine level next to the Delta Sky Club. The lounge is small, so having the reception area outside the actual entrance is a great example of space utilization.

After presenting your credentials, visitors immediately, and a bit to the left, face the attractive bar. Regular United Club patrons will recognize the chandeliers – familiar to this iteration of United Clubs. Like all standard United Clubs, there is a charge for premium drinks. But the illy cold brew was free! And there was hazelnut creamer in the refrigerator! At the end of the bar is the water and juice station, as well as some fruit in a nice display.

Just past the bar, was the rather well-stocked breakfast buffet with cereal (hot and cold), eggs, potatoes, cold cuts, yogurt. There was also an espresso machine.

Behind the bar was a mix of tables and lounge seating. Along the back of the bar wall was a TV and a Gelato Station! I never saw that in a United Club. One wall of this area featured vintage United aviation photos, which is a feature of many United Clubs. Beyond the bar was additional seating with more vintage photos. To the left, past the seating, was a short hallway with entry to the washrooms.

In front of the bar, to the right after the reception desk upon entry, is the entrance to the balcony that overlooks the terminal, with views of the tarmac as well as the surrounding San Diego neighborhood. United’s mid-2010s lounge motif, with a lot of clean lines and faux marble, really works well in this lounge as it maximizes the airiness of the space.

Internet access is free and worked well. Outlets were easily accessible. The staff was hard at work restocking the buffet and keeping the space clean. I might not arrive early to spend time in this lounge, but it’s a pleasant place to eat and wait for your flight. The biggest problem is the crowding: United has a decent size operation in San Diego – and this club is small. I gave up a table so a family could sit down and eat.

The wrap

…The details. Date – April 25, 2025. Rating: Enjoyable! Access: United Club member

..What I like: Buffet, balcony, gelato, and the design with plenty of natural light

..What I don’t like: Crowded.