There’s no doubt about it but air travel these days has gotten more hectic because of full flights, cramped quarters, and carryon luggage in every nook and cranny. And layovers seem to have gotten longer. What used to be a maximum of a 3-hour wait for connecting flights for booking purposes can now translate into as much as a 10-15 hour layover for some connections while waiting for long-haul flights.
Last year, I had club privileges with United Airlines, but soon grew tired of the minimalist approach to snacks. Clubs were overcrowded with too many talkative families challenging me to get some business done. My few attempts at giving feedback in particularly crowded Denver clubs, was met with disinterest. And though United has now rolled out an improved snack service, the cacophony of noise and over-filled capacity has yet to be addressed.
Recently, I was hosted at Atlanta’s Delta Sky Club in Terminal F on the Mezzanine level – the ultra-modern international terminal – where I had a 10-hour layover before catching my 15-hour long haul flight to Johannesburg, South Africa and on my return, where I had a 6-hour layover prior to my deadhead leg back home to Albuquerque. On both occasions, I found the Delta Sky Club to be exactly what I needed as a seasoned traveler. Amenities include spaciously-clean showers, well-stocked snacks, complimentary and paid alcoholic drinks, work stations, various types of seating, plenty of plug ins, as well as a separate quiet room behind glass doors. Here you will find comfy lounge chairs that permit you to rest your feet even as you rest your eyes.
Delta has over 45 locations in international airports worldwide, with the majority of the lounges stateside. And since Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL) International Airport happens to be their hub, it makes sense that there are nine clubs in Atlanta alone. However, based on what I heard from many passengers and on my own experience, Atlanta’s Delta Sky Club in Terminal F is easily their most premiere location. One of the reasons may be that it’s located at the end of the line in the newest international terminal, where it seems cleaner and less crowded than other Atlanta terminals.
Once inside you’ll find satellite TV, newspapers and magazines, free Wifi, a flight status board where you can check on your flights, a bar area with ample seating, as well as indoor and outdoor seating on their Sky Deck. From here, you can leisurely pass your time with a beverage and snack while watching planes coming and going. Food rotation is similar to other Sky Clubs so expect to find typical snacks including a light salad and soup bar along with freshly baked cookies. Breakfast was delightful with what appeared to be premium bagels and a coffee machine I absolutely loved – where I could choose from espresso, cappuccino, lattes, or black coffee.
There are several ways you can gain access to a Delta Sky Club lounge. The easiest method is by purchasing a single day pass for $50. (Note that a day pass can only be purchased in connection with a flight itinerary.) If you become hooked, consider buying an individual or executive lounge membership. An individual membership includes unlimited Club access for the member only and can be purchased for a one-year rate of $459 or 70,000 frequent flyer miles. An executive membership includes access for the member and up to two guests per visit. The one-year rate is $695 or 110,000 frequent flyer miles. Then, of course, club access is available to those traveling in first of business class on a number of airlines and routes or by using your frequent flyer elite status. For those that have special credit cards such as the Amex Platinum Card, these permit you entry as well.
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