The waitlist is real. 05:30 today there was a confused gaggle of folks staring at the sign in a loose arc around the door. I’m glad I stepped in front of someone after a moment to scan the barcode to get on the waitlist. Here’s what the scan brings up:

Waitlist verbiage

Thank goodness I’d seen this thread so I read carefully & noticed Lounge+ Members are supposed to bypass the line and speak to the desk. I walked right in, and Lounge felt far less packed!

I just wanted a real coffee before boarding a 7am flight. Membership now feels FAR more valuable if this policy remains.

I adore the staff in the express lounge but the lack of espresso machine (& toilets!) makes it not my first choice in the AM.

I am excited for an expanded, updated lounge space, but as a person with mobility limitations, I’ll terribly miss the days when my gate is directly adjacent to one lounge or the other so I can linger as long as possible in that welcoming space.