DCA SC Refresh Complete [after partial closure]
Feb 28, 2018 | 5:48 am
#121
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,332
I think the Air France/KLM lounge is better, if only because it has more restrooms and feels less crowded. Then again, Air France/KLM restricts Priority Pass access in late afternoon and early evening hours. The food in the Turkish lounge is, of course, way better but it is getting very, very crowded. Sometimes there's a line of 25 people waiting to get inside -- almost all of them are Priority Pass cardholders.
Feb 28, 2018 | 9:08 am
#122
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Delta DM, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,515
I think the Air France/KLM lounge is better, if only because it has more restrooms and feels less crowded. Then again, Air France/KLM restricts Priority Pass access in late afternoon and early evening hours. The food in the Turkish lounge is, of course, way better but it is getting very, very crowded. Sometimes there's a line of 25 people waiting to get inside -- almost all of them are Priority Pass cardholders.
Feb 28, 2018 | 10:08 am
#123
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Northern Minnesota, US
Programs: DL Diamond, SPG/MR Plat, Kimpton IC, IHG Spire Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 660
Last week on both of my flights this SC was less crowded than usual. I think people are avoiding it. Seems like there is more room also since they opened up the big area farthest from the entrance.
Feb 28, 2018 | 11:20 am
#124
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,332
I use the AF lounge whenever I'm on the AF or KLM flight, but I've heard the food is very limited at other times so I've never bothered to go in when not on those flights. I've actually never seen it that crowded in the Turkish lounge, so it depends on the time you're going. I've always gotten a table. Usually I'm there early morning when it opens or late morning for an early lunch.
I haven't noticed any different food offerings. It's almost always a selection of French baguette sandwiches (the caprese is good), soup, some yogurt parfaits, two or three varieties of cheese (including brie), some fruit, and 1-2 items, including a hot option. I don't really care about the food, though the brie is good. I like the champagne. The Turkish lounge has champagne, but they don't always have a dedicated bartender.
Feb 28, 2018 | 12:06 pm
#125
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 1,688
Arrived last week to find the SC club washrooms closed, and the family restroom general population occupied.
Hiked down the to UA lounge, which if you haven't been is gorgeous.
Feb 28, 2018 | 3:21 pm
#126
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,332
Mar 9, 2018 | 11:39 am
#129
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Washington, DC, Chapel Hill, NC (RDU)
Programs: DL Plat (won't hit DM again) 2MM (2.5), HH Gold, PC Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 5,725
I've not been into the UA (CO) lounge since CO left SkyTeam, but I always liked the setting -- the old main restaurant from the 1930s DCA terminal. I'd heard it had gotten run down. Has it been refreshed?
Mar 9, 2018 | 2:58 pm
#131
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,332
With Delta offering business-class Delta One between Washington-Reagan and Los Angeles, they really should be handing everyone, at least on that flight, a voucher for lunch/dinner and a glass of wine at an airport restaurant until the lounge is operational.
Mar 9, 2018 | 3:16 pm
#132
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: MCO
Programs: DL GM, UA Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 4,616
The problem is that there is only one small little sit down restaurant (think its called district grille or something like that) in the DL pier past security and that place is often packed to the gills. I guess there is always good stuff eatery if someone is in the mood for greasy hamburgers.
Mar 9, 2018 | 3:22 pm
#133
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, DL PM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,974
The problem is that there is only one small little sit down restaurant (think its called district grille or something like that) in the DL pier past security and that place is often packed to the gills. I guess there is always good stuff eatery if someone is in the mood for greasy hamburgers.
Mar 12, 2018 | 8:21 am
#134
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Paris, France
Programs: AF/KL Flying Blue Ultimate/Platinum for life/Club2000, Accor ALL Diamond
Posts: 25,149
I was in the DCA SC 3 weeks ago and it was horribly crowded. A complete zoo. Not a premium experience at all. 
Mar 12, 2018 | 8:39 am
#135
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Delta Gold
Posts: 5,923
That was pretty much my experience flying DeltaOne DCA-LAX back in November, it cleared up a little before my flight left but it was definitely tight even though I did find a seat. Not the experience you pay a Sky Club membership for. I have a few flights late spring out of DCA, hope the situation is better
Last edited by Miesque; Mar 12, 2018 at 8:48 am