Can You Access The Delta One Lounge? Here Are The Rules

Intro

For quite a while, Delta had been lagging behind its competitors in terms of its flagship lounge offerings. It wasn't until 2024 that we saw Delta open its very first Delta One Lounge in New York, which blew the business class competition in the US out of the water.

Since then, Delta has expanded to not just New York, but Boston and Los Angeles, with hopes of the Seattle Lounge opening soon. With that being said, here are the rules on whether or not you can enter.

Access+Regulations

Delta One has followed traditional suit, for the most part, about who can access their most prestigious lounges. If you are looking to enter, these are the only ways in which you can do so:

• Passengers with a same-day Delta One ticket (departing, arrival, and connection)

  • As an example, if you were to fly Delta One GRU-JFK-BOS-LAX, you would get access to all three open lounges (it would be a long day)

  • More simply, if you fly JFK-LAX, you would get access in both JFK and LAX

• Passengers ticketed in business class departing on

  • LATAM

  • Korean Air

  • Virgin Atlantic

  • Air France (cannot use the Boston Lounge)

  • KLM (cannot use the Boston Lounge)

• Lastly, those ticketed in First Class on Korean Air and Air France are allowed access

  • Reports have surfaced that those flying La Premiere have gained access upon arrival when connecting to a different US destination in Delta's Domestic First Class

    
    

Delta One Lounge at New York JFK

A Quick Note

While Delta has done a fantastic job, truly fantastic, on these lounges, there are a few things to note about these lounges.

• These lounges get really busy. Back in the day, there were daily complaints about the Skyclubs having long waits, but even the gigantic JFK has seen overcrowding issues during peak departure banks. The same applies for Boston, and to a much lesser extent, LAX

• On a more positive note, I have found the staff at the DL1 lounges to be nothing short of exceptional. I am heading back to the one at JFK soon, and honestly, I cannot wait

So yeah, as much as I am not an avid fan of Delta (not that it's a bad airline, just our relationship hasn't worked out lol), they truly knocked it out of the park with these lounges. Even the new Polaris Lounge in Chicago just falls short.

Final Thoughts

If you have an upcoming trip in Delta One touching New York, Los Angeles, or Boston, be ready to wine and dine yourself before the flight in the Delta One Lounge. Additionally, if you happen to be flying on LATAM, KLM (no BOS), Virgin Atlantic, Air France (no BOS), or Korean Air, get ready to enjoy at your departure airport!

Get ready Seattle, as it seems the lounge is opening June 25th (nothing conclusive)