The ATX Jetsetter crew recently took a trip to Asheville, North Carolina and, on the way up, we passed through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). This gave me the opportunity to check out the Delta Sky Club Located in Concourse A. I hesitated to write this review as many of the clubs in Atlanta are currently undergoing renovations and unveilings expected later this year.
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Delta Sky Club Atlanta Concourse A Location
Atlanta is Delta’s largest hub and the airline has eight different Sky Clubs at the airport. As a frequent Delta flyer, I’ve visited many different Sky Club locations but this has to be one of the most hidden ones I’ve ever seen.
There are two clubs located in Concourse A, one in the main atrium (is that what you would call it?) and one near Gate A17. This club is the former and is very tucked away. As you come up the escalator from the plane train, you’ll see signage for P.F. Chang’s to the right. There’s also a small sign for the Sky Club.
The lounge entrance is located one level up from the main concourse and can be accessed via escalator or elevator. Since we were traveling with ATX Jr., we used the elevator. As you step off of the elevator, the lounge entrance is to your right.
Delta Sky Club Atlanta Concourse A Hours of Operation
The Delta Sky Club in Concourse A at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is open between 5:30a and 10:30p daily.
Delta Sky Club Atlanta Concourse A Entry Requirements
The entry requirements for Delta Sky Clubs are some of the most complex ones out there. The easiest way to enter the lounge is by using a qualifying American Express credit card (including the AmEx Platinum and Delta Reserve cards) or by having a Sky Club membership and a same day Delta boarding pass.
Currently, Delta and American Express cardholders who don’t hit $75,000 in spend during a calendar year will be limited on the number of entries per year in an effort to reduce crowding. You can find the full list of entry requirements here.
We accessed the lounge using our American Express Platinum Cards. Since my card is connected to my SkyMiles account, I just needed to scan my boarding pass at the kiosk and was welcomed inside. Mrs. ATX had to check in with an agent as the name on her card doesn’t match her SkyMiles account.
Delta Sky Club Atlanta Concourse A Layout
This lounge is split across two levels. There is a smaller lounge space with seating, a small buffet, bar, and workstations on the first level. On the upper level is the primary space with multiple seating areas, a larger buffet, bar, and great views of the ramp.
After entering the lounge, the smaller, lower level is directly ahead while the stairs and elevator for the upper level are off to the right. Staying downstairs, a small bar is directly ahead with seating area off to the left.
The downstairs seating area has a variety of options, though they are pretty packed in to help maximize the space. The furniture is older but in good condition and there are some semi-private work areas available for guests.
There is also a smaller, secondary buffet here with a smaller variety of food compared to the primary one upstairs.
Opposite the primary lower level seating area, to the right of the bar, is another set of workstations with power outlets available.
As I mentioned above, the bulk of the lounge space is upstairs. Both the stars and elevator are located near the check-in desks and are clearly marked.
Entering the second level you’re met with a secondary customer service desk, though this was unstaffed during my visit. Restrooms are off to the left and the lounge is ahead, down a short hallway.
The upstairs portion of the lounge is arranged in a “T” shape. Upon entering, you can turn left to find the bar, buffet, beverage station, and a variety of different seating areas, some of which have great views of the ramp. To the right is the smaller portion of the lounge which has a mix of seating options as well as some TVs.
This was the quieter corner of the lounge during our visit and, since ATX Jr. needed to sleep, we set up at the back of the lounge where he managed to sleep our layover away.
On the other side of the entrance the lounge is a bit more lively as the majority of the seating is in this area, along with the bar and buffet. The seating is a good mix of chairs, cafe tables, high top counters, and communal workspaces along with some semi-private workstations in the main section of the lounge.
Past the buffet and the bar, through two sets of doors, is another seating area which feels much more open compared to the remainder of the lounge given the windows that overlook the ramp. Throughout our visit, this was by far the busiest portion of the lounge.
It was dark during this visit but this section of the lounge would be a great place to sit and do some planespotting during the day.
Delta Sky Club Atlanta Concourse A Food and Beverage
As I mentioned earlier, the lounge has a full bar on both levels and a small snack station on the first floor with the full buffet on the second floor. We visited the lounge close to closing time so dinner was on offer. During our visit they were serving white bean and harissa soup along with blackened tofu and kale as the hot dishes downstairs.
Chocolate chip cookies, caprese sandwiches, and a small salad station were also available.
Next to the snack station is the downstairs beverage station which has a Coca-Cola soda machine along with two coffeemakers, hot tea, iced tea and lemonade, along with drip coffee from Starbucks.
Upstairs, you’ll find the bar and beverage station along the side wall near the center of the lounge. Like the downstairs beverage station, there is a Coca-Cola machine, multiple coffeemakers, tea, iced tea, lemonade, and water available.
The buffet upstairs has the same offerings you’ll find downstairs along with a variety of additional options. For the hot dishes macaroni and cheese, BBQ pulled pork, and corn were on offer along with two soups; white bean and harissa and wicked chicken Thai.
Three pre-made salads and a small build your own salad bar were available along with chips, crackers, and croutons.
Two dips, a spinach and artichoke and a pimento cheese, were available along with some veggie sticks.
Caprese sandwiches, apples, bananas, and white chocolate & cranberry cookies rounded out the food options during our visit.
While it wasn’t the most inspiring menu, it was enough for me to fill up before our next flight, especially given the late hour.
Delta Sky Club Atlanta Concourse A Atmosphere
This was one of the more interesting Sky Clubs I’ve visited in recent years. Delta has been heavily investing in opening new lounges across the country and those spaces have been stunning. Atlanta, the carrier’s primary hub and world’s busiest airport, has long been neglected when it comes to the airport’s Sky Clubs. That is all changing this year as Delta is working to refresh its lounges in Atlanta.
The Concourse A Sky Club, not to be confused with the nearby Sky Club at Gate A17, is so well hidden that most people don’t even know it’s there. This causes it to be primarily visited by frequent flyers who know how to find it, leaving the others to search out other clubs (Delta has eight in Atlanta). Because of this I found the space to be very calm and quiet, even during the busiest times.
The layout also seems geared more towards business travelers with many semi-private cubbies and workstations for those looking to take care of some business between flights. While I still haven’t tried all of the Sky Clubs in Atlanta, this is one I would definitely seek out during peak operating times at the airport.
Summary
While it isn’t the nicest Sky Club in Atlanta, the Concourse A lounge is by far one of the most well hidden. This makes it less hectic than the other Sky Clubs at the airport even at peak times. The lounge is expected to get a facelift later this year and I’m hoping that the entrance stays tucked away and off the beaten path.