which lounge at ATL?
 

So far all of my travel through ATL was domestic, so I could not make use of free access to Delta's Sky Clubs there. This week I am flying CDG-ATL and will have a three and half hour layover before heading to MEM.
How much time do you think I will have available for a lounge visit?
Which lounge would you recommend? Do all have the same selections of food and drinks? My understanding is that I will clear immigration and customs at Terminal E and there is the only lounge that has showers. Perhaps it might be better to stop at the lounge that will be closest to my departure gate.
Thanks a lot!

Since you have 2 1/2 hours to kill, easily, I would suggest an initial stop at the smaller SkyClub in the international E concourse (to take a shower...ask about it right when you get there, as there is usually a wait of 30 minutes or so), and then possibly move to the larger (former BE) lounge in the same consourse (to the right, and just around the corner from the first lounge) in order to enjoy the larger space and enjoy some plane spotting of the various wide-bodies that park around that part of ATL.

The first SkyClub you get to in concourse E is the one with the shower. Go straight after getting off the escalator outside of customs, and it's just past the food court, on your right.

My favorites are the ones in Terminal E. Walk past the 1st one you see next to the food court to the "hidden" former Business Elite lounge.

Avoid the ones in B if you can. I just discovered the one in A concourse up near the Chili's and that one is very quiet as well. :D

Customs and immigration is in the E concourse. As you leave C&I head upstairs to the E consourse. The first DSC you hit is the only club at the airport with Showers. It has either 2 or 3. Check in at the counter and they will set you up.

As previously stated, the DSC just beyond the first club (The old BE lounge) is bigger and a tad nicer, thought the food and drink is the same. ATL has many DSCs, 2 on E, 1 on C (very nice), 1 on T (also nice) and two each on the A and B concourses. These are often quite crowded. You may want to start in E and then head to one in the concourse where you will ultimately depart to MEM.

Given that the CenterPoint and A17 clubs are relatively close together, I would highly suggest CenterPoint (by Chili's) if your flight to MEM goes from "A". Almost always less crowded than A17, and only a minute or two further from the low numbered gates in "A".

Don't forget the Interstate BBQ inside MEM at the "Y".

B10 is my favorite....




Just kidding...as long as you avoid B10 they are pretty much decent (if you choose to use B10 make sure your shots are up to date before entering - they will require proof before allowing you to enter)....the nicest is the old BE Lounge in E

Thank you all for the very helpful suggestions!

I ll certainly keep that in mind as I have another two hours at MEM before flying to my final destination!

If your departing gate is in concourse A, use the centerline SkyClub (near Chili's) - must less crowded. It is closed on the weekends, however.

Frankly, I would use that one over any of the clubs in A, B, C, or D (under construction).

The club in T normally doesn't get too crowded, although it is less convenient to the other gates.

If you are departing from E, go to the club across from gate 15.

Or just buy a slab of ribs to go. Great present if you are meeting any friends at final stop. Unless they are vegans. :p Mmmm, ribs.

I see you are from AMS. Let me break this gently. Been to the KLM Schengen or F International lounges? Like the food and drink? All the ATL SCs put together do not add up to one AMS KLM lounge. Not even close.

yup, quite often

yeah, I am able to satiate my hunger. Certainly better than the snacks offered in Y on AF/KLM.

Oh crap! So what should I expect? Nuts, pretzels, two buck chuck wine and fountain drinks? :eek:

Things change fast, but it has been the case that the E lounges have real food to some extent. The rest, fake cheese, nuts, etc. is about it.

Yes

When you get to MEM, go to the SC there... It should help to erase some of the bad memories you will have from the SC's in ATL. The MEM club is much nicer than any club in ATL.

I believe the nice SkyClub on E concourse is closed. The only one left is the very first one. At least the second one was closed last time I tried it few weeks ago and there was no SkyClub sign on or near the door.

You're evil - even joking about that so called lounge.... ;)

So is the consensus that the E club is nicer than Center A? Last time I had a long layover I almost went over to E but the flt monitors malfunctioned and I ended up getting too diverted. I've sort of wondered if they do better - center A in ATL just didnt' seem up to snuff as the main hub lounge - Center DTW seems better (more dedicated cube areas and so on).