The Best Lounges at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) And How to Visit Them

If you haven’t heard yet, The Centurion Lounge is coming to Los Angeles International Airport, scheduled to open in 2019. Centurion Lounges are designed specifically for American Express cardholders and include a number of amenities not typically found in domestic airport lounges, such as massages and nail services.

As exciting as the news is, LAX flyers have to wait for at least a year for the lounge to start operating. Meanwhile, let’s take a look at some of the best lounges you can visit right now (in no particular order).

 

Star Alliance Lounge

The Star Alliance Lounge is located in the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) and is a favorite among business travelers. The large lounge includes an indoor and an outdoor terrace, a wide selection of hot and cold food, beverages and newspapers. You’ll be able to take a shower in one of the eight showers or simply recharge by the fire pit before your flight.

To access the lounge, you must be traveling in either business or first class on any Star Alliance carrier, be a Star Alliance Gold member or a United Club or Air Canada Maple Leaf lounge member in conjunction with a boarding pass on a Star Alliance airline.

 

Qantas First Class Lounge

The Qantas First Class Lounge will make you want to be early for your flight. In this gem of a lounge, you’ll be able to sit in comfortable leather chairs and enjoy à la carte full-service dining while sipping on a top-brand alcoholic beverage. And don’t forget the excellent service. Seriously, you might forget you have a plane to catch.

As you can imagine, access is limited. To enter this lounge in the TBIT, you must fly internationally in first class on a oneworld carrier, travel in first class on American Airlines to either New York City or Miami, hold oneworld Emerald or AAdvantage Executive Platinum status and travel to or from an international destination.

 

Oneworld Business Lounge

Also located in the TBIT, this lounge isn’t as extravagant as the Qantas First Class Lounge, but is still a great option for oneworld alliance flyers. Instead of custom meals and leather chairs, you will be presented with a buffet and a mishmash of lounge and wooden chairs. Still, the spread is quite nice with healthy food choices and Australian coffee, and you’ll find it easy to relax in this lounge and even shower before boarding time.

You can enter the oneworld Business Lounge as an Emerald or Sapphire oneworld elite or an AAdvantage Executive Platinum or Platinum member traveling on a oneworld-operated flight. First-class and business-class ticket holders traveling on an international oneworld flight and first- and business-class AA passengers traveling to New York City also have access.

 

Delta Sky Club

Not a top-end lounge, but Delta Sky Club in Terminal 3 at LAX is one of my favorites. I’ve been able to use it on arrival a few times while connecting to another ticket, and it’s a great place to spend several hours.

Although many Sky Clubs across the United States serve the same food and look mostly the same, this lounge stands out, and I think it has to do with the customer service. The staff is always welcoming and hospitable. The view of the runway is also great, and the food selection is nice.

To gain access to the Delta Sky Club, you must be a Sky Club member or hold SkyTeam Elite Plus status, fly in Delta One or travel internationally in a premium cabin on a SkyTeam partner or be a Delta Reserve Credit Card member. Diamond Medallion members can choose Sky Club membership as part of their Choice Benefits, and my favorite way to enter is with my American Express Platinum Card (in conjunction with a same-day Delta boarding pass).

 

American Airlines Admiral Club

Los Angeles has become a focus city for American Airlines lately, and less than a year ago, the airline opened a renovated flagship lounge in LAX. This sleek lounge is located in Terminal 4 and offers made-to-order meals in the first-class dining area, which is a rarity these days. It’s a great remodeled space to avoid the airport hustle and enjoy a glass of wine while plane watching on the runway.

To access the Admirals Club, you must be an Admirals Club member, travel on an international or transcontinental flight in first or business class or hold AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro or Platinum status, or oneworld Emerald or Sapphire status. Another way to get in is with your Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite MasterCard.

 

What lounges do you like to visit at LAX?

 

[Main Image Source: Qantas]