Best Way to Spend a 8hr Layover in ATL (which lounges?)
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 87
Best Way to Spend a 8hr Layover in ATL (which lounges?)
Hi All,
I have a very long layover in ATL coming up and was wondering what the best way to spend the layover would be. I arrive at 7am on an international flight, and then leave at 3:20pm from ATL to SJC.
What is the best way to spend that 8ish hour layover, lounge wise? I have Global Entry/TSA Pre and am on an international first class ticket + have Priority Pass. Anyone have favorite lounges to pass the time? Best food? Showers? I don't think I want to go into Atlanta. I was debating getting a day room near the airport, but not sure it's worth it. Thoughts or tips?
Thanks!
I have a very long layover in ATL coming up and was wondering what the best way to spend the layover would be. I arrive at 7am on an international flight, and then leave at 3:20pm from ATL to SJC.
What is the best way to spend that 8ish hour layover, lounge wise? I have Global Entry/TSA Pre and am on an international first class ticket + have Priority Pass. Anyone have favorite lounges to pass the time? Best food? Showers? I don't think I want to go into Atlanta. I was debating getting a day room near the airport, but not sure it's worth it. Thoughts or tips?
Thanks!
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,369
Just kidding, but you could do what ND76 likes to do and try all of them.
Personally, I like the F SC, including the SkyDeck if the weather's bearable (good showers too), and The Club (PP) across the atrium from it. Some like the E SC too. In the domestic portion of ATL, I like Centerpoint A upstairs (normally open only during the week), but everyone seems to have their personal favorites.
Personally, I like the F SC, including the SkyDeck if the weather's bearable (good showers too), and The Club (PP) across the atrium from it. Some like the E SC too. In the domestic portion of ATL, I like Centerpoint A upstairs (normally open only during the week), but everyone seems to have their personal favorites.
#3
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: CHA
Programs: DL-DM (1.75MM), Bonvoy LifeTi, Hertz-PC
Posts: 618
B lounge is the newest - but usually busy...not so busy not to visit, just busier than others at times.
F has a SkyDeck and upstairs seating and showers.
F also has The Club for PP access
E generally has slightly better food selection (90% same as others), but also has a showers and an Asanda Spa.
A has two lounges, both upstairs, one higher than the other I think (escalator in corner of center section, then elevator stairs...or the one by A17)
D has two lounges also, one very small, other downstairs (27) that is usually quiet.
C has an upstairs lounge that spans both sides of the terminal.
Another option with that long of a layover is the Porsche experience - right next door to the airport.
F has a SkyDeck and upstairs seating and showers.
F also has The Club for PP access
E generally has slightly better food selection (90% same as others), but also has a showers and an Asanda Spa.
A has two lounges, both upstairs, one higher than the other I think (escalator in corner of center section, then elevator stairs...or the one by A17)
D has two lounges also, one very small, other downstairs (27) that is usually quiet.
C has an upstairs lounge that spans both sides of the terminal.
Another option with that long of a layover is the Porsche experience - right next door to the airport.
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 87
Thanks for that input! Super helpful and so many lounges! Any idea which terminal the afternoon ATL --> SJC flight leaves out of? Or is it too far in advance to tell? I will definitely hit up E or F for showers. Anyone have experience with the Asanda spa? Are the treatments good?
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,369
You can check flight status for yesterday, today, etc. to see the gates your flight tends to use.
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
Try to get on a flight to SFO?
Otherwise I would say do the ATL SC crawl. Showers in F are nice and I could spend hours on the SkyDeck (though not as nice as JFK which has a greater variety of plane types / airlines) -- B is nice when it's empty (my last 3 times have been between 10-11pm before the late ATL - RDU and it's been completely empty and nice).
I find The Club across from F to be highly overrated but if you have time I guess you could check it out.
Despite what the FT thread would have you believe, my last few OFS experiences have been just as good as in the "old times" so would stop by there for lunch as a break from the SC (and it's around the corner from E if you want to check that one out).
I believe there is a Minute Suites in B that you can get into with Priority Pass but have never gone (wait times have been too long) -- but given your early arrival and likely interest in sleeping, might be worth heading there first and trying to grab a bed for a couple of hours before you start your pub (I mean lounge) crawl. Believe Minute Suites pricing is first hour free and then $28/hour after so a quick 2 hour nap for $28 isn't a terrible value prop.
Otherwise I would say do the ATL SC crawl. Showers in F are nice and I could spend hours on the SkyDeck (though not as nice as JFK which has a greater variety of plane types / airlines) -- B is nice when it's empty (my last 3 times have been between 10-11pm before the late ATL - RDU and it's been completely empty and nice).
I find The Club across from F to be highly overrated but if you have time I guess you could check it out.
Despite what the FT thread would have you believe, my last few OFS experiences have been just as good as in the "old times" so would stop by there for lunch as a break from the SC (and it's around the corner from E if you want to check that one out).
I believe there is a Minute Suites in B that you can get into with Priority Pass but have never gone (wait times have been too long) -- but given your early arrival and likely interest in sleeping, might be worth heading there first and trying to grab a bed for a couple of hours before you start your pub (I mean lounge) crawl. Believe Minute Suites pricing is first hour free and then $28/hour after so a quick 2 hour nap for $28 isn't a terrible value prop.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Back in Reds Country (DAY/CVG). Previously: SEA & SAT.
Programs: DL PM 1MM, AA PLAT, UA Silver, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 10,334
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 87
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Scattered Smothered Covered Medallion, Some hotel & car stuff, Kroger Plus Card
Posts: 10,745
I think PP just added the Minute Suites in T, so you can now access two locations. You might be able to get two 1-hour naps in (with a nice walk in between) if you really want to mess with your body clock.
#12
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: STL
Programs: DL, AA, UA, WN, Hyatt, HHonors, Avis Pref+
Posts: 164
What day of the week will it be? I was there on a recent Saturday afternoon and arrived at B and departed from E. I'd never used the new B club so went there first. It was mostly empty with plenty of seating available and good window views. Great food options like mini chicken pot pies, mac & cheese, and the normal soups and salads. Both leafy greens and pasta salads. Dishes were ceramic/glass. It was a nice day and I wanted a beer on the SkyDeck, so after an hour we went to F. The SkyDeck door was blocked off because "it was broken and won't be fixed until Tuesday." Closing one of the best features for 4 days? Not impressed. Not many people in this lounge either. Food spread looked smaller than B. We left since the Deck was closed and we would be leaving from E anyway. The E club was packed however we did find a place to sit eventually. There were chicken breasts and jambalaya available that weren't on B but fewer salads. The dishes were paper plates and plastic utensils. We should have just stayed in B the whole time.
So I'd say to check out B first and then F if you want. Skip E unless you are leaving from that terminal.
So I'd say to check out B first and then F if you want. Skip E unless you are leaving from that terminal.
#15
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Look up - On a ✈ DELTA ✈ jet NOW!
Programs: Blogger & Delta Diamond Medallion Million Miler
Posts: 4,174