Criteria for Opening Sky Club
Jan 20, 2019, 2:50 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: MA
Programs: DL DM/2MM Marriott Platinum, HH Diamond,
Posts: 8,906
Criteria for Opening Sky Club
How busy does a station need to be before qualifying for a SC? I am specifically wondering about RSW... about 20 flights daily almost all mainline to ATL, DTW, MSP, JFK, LGA and BOS.
Last edited by RobertS975; Jan 20, 2019 at 5:30 pm Reason: Spelling
Jan 20, 2019, 3:19 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,884
I believe that there would be many more factors than just flights that would go into such a decision - space availability and cost probably high on the list. Other factors, such as # of international flights, business/leisure split, medallion density, etc would also play a part.
Jan 20, 2019, 3:21 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: LAS
Programs: DL PM, Honors Gold, Marriott Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 894
i'm sure the criteria is more than just flight volume, but if that's it I would think RSW is not near the top of the list. Other airports have more daily flights and still do not have a sky club (LAS averages almost 50 flights per day, for example).
Jan 20, 2019, 3:52 pm
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
The number of passenger boardings is, of course, critical. But, that is just a beginning. Bottom line is that I would find it remarkable if DL opened a SC at RSW anytime in the forseeable future.
Jan 20, 2019, 5:57 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: USA - Seattle area
Programs: DL Platinum, "alum" of high status with UA but not any more
Posts: 532
Outside the U.S., you'll often see that airports in small and medium sized cities have a lounge that in many cases serves elite passengers or lounge members from all airlines, even from competitive global alliances. One example I know well is at Kiev Boryspil Airport in Ukraine, where I've had access to the same lounge as a business class customer with both Star Alliance and SkyTeam, and also as a SkyClub member. I suspect that like most partner lounges, they collect a per-visit fee from the relevant airline.
I wonder if this could be a model within the U.S. Would be great if small out-stations where no airline could possibly run its own lounge could instead have a shared lounge.
I wonder if this could be a model within the U.S. Would be great if small out-stations where no airline could possibly run its own lounge could instead have a shared lounge.
Last edited by andrewk829; Jan 20, 2019 at 5:58 pm Reason: clarity
Jan 20, 2019, 6:15 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: CMH
Programs: Delta SkyMiles (Silver), AAdvantage, Sun Country, FmrUS Airways Dividend Miles, Northwest WorldPerks
Posts: 353
Jan 20, 2019, 6:47 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 210
Outside the U.S., you'll often see that airports in small and medium sized cities have a lounge that in many cases serves elite passengers or lounge members from all airlines, even from competitive global alliances. One example I know well is at Kiev Boryspil Airport in Ukraine, where I've had access to the same lounge as a business class customer with both Star Alliance and SkyTeam, and also as a SkyClub member. I suspect that like most partner lounges, they collect a per-visit fee from the relevant airline.
I wonder if this could be a model within the U.S. Would be great if small out-stations where no airline could possibly run its own lounge could instead have a shared lounge.
I wonder if this could be a model within the U.S. Would be great if small out-stations where no airline could possibly run its own lounge could instead have a shared lounge.
On the other hand there are many partner lounges abroad because lounge access is considered a more basic requirement against the international competition. Then the contract lounges start to make sense... allowing the need to be met without the airline having to lease and maintain a lounge of their own.
Jan 20, 2019, 7:28 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Frankly, I don't see the point. Airlines don't have staff there to help with rebooking. It's just a way to give away inferior alcohol. U.S. airports have no shortage of places to buy a drink.
Jan 20, 2019, 7:43 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SJC/YUL
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,877
SJC also has a non-denominational club called The Club. Most of the airlines that fly internationally hand out free entry vouchers at check-in to their business class passengers
Jan 20, 2019, 9:18 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: NYC/PHX
Programs: IATA, Sabre, AvgeekAgent
Posts: 1,958
General level of business travel, % of seats purchased at higher fare buckets and/or by medallion FFs seem like probable factors. Outside of long-existing club locations in Florida and HNL, I'm hard pressed to think of a leisure-oriented station that DL (or any airline) would consider opening a new club. AA's relatively recent add at MCO is an interesting anomoly and likely reflects Orlando's growth as a convention/business market rather than an attempt by AA to please vacationing Admirals Club members.
Jan 20, 2019, 11:18 pm
#14
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,712
Especially now that it has D1-branded flights. I've heard the excuse that they're afraid of people sucking the bar dry, but UA doesn't seem to have that problem.
I think CMH is the most obvious East Coast hole, as is BDL. MCI could do with a club if a new terminal ever gets built.
I think CMH is the most obvious East Coast hole, as is BDL. MCI could do with a club if a new terminal ever gets built.
Jan 20, 2019, 11:36 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: NJ
Programs: DL DM, Marriott Plat
Posts: 867
Especially now that it has D1-branded flights. I've heard the excuse that they're afraid of people sucking the bar dry, but UA doesn't seem to have that problem.
I think CMH is the most obvious East Coast hole, as is BDL. MCI could do with a club if a new terminal ever gets built.
I think CMH is the most obvious East Coast hole, as is BDL. MCI could do with a club if a new terminal ever gets built.