ATLANTA- Delta Air Lines (DL) has revealed plans to build a 2nd Delta One Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), an unusual step at an airport that already operates one of these premium international business lounges.
The new lounge will open in Terminal 2 at LAX, with construction starting soon and the first guests expected in 2027. The move makes Delta the first major US carrier to operate 2 premium international business lounges at a single airport, and notably, LAX does not even rank among the airline’s largest hubs.
Delta Plans Two Lounge Setups in Los Angeles
Delta currently operates four Delta One Lounges across its network, located in Boston (BOS), Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), and Seattle (SEA).
The existing LAX location opened in 2024 inside Terminal 3 and measures around 10,000 square feet.
That footprint is small compared to the JFK lounge, which spans roughly 40,000 square feet, though Delta’s network at LAX is also smaller than at its primary hubs.
Here’s the update according to details shared by Delta:
- Summer 2026: The initial phase of the Terminal 2 Delta One Lounge opens.
- 2027: Terminal 2 Delta Sky Club will open.
- 2028: The Terminal 2 Delta One Lounge undergoes its full transformation and opens following its full renovation.
The new Terminal 2 lounge represents a fresh investment at a secondary hub. The lounge will offer transportation directly from the Delta One check-in and the exclusive security line, making access more seamless for premium passengers.
Full details on size and amenities remain limited, though a la carte dining is expected as a standard feature.
The Delta One Lounge forms the first stage of a larger Terminal 2 redevelopment at LAX. Delta expects additional work across the terminal to continue in 2028 and beyond.
Alongside the new lounge, the airline also plans to open a new Sky Club in Terminal 2, which is expected to welcome guests next year, ahead of the Delta One Lounge opening.
This phased approach signals a broader commitment to upgrading Delta’s footprint at LAX rather than a single isolated project.
Why LAX Stands Out Among US Hubs
LAX holds a unique position in the US aviation market. It is the only airport where American Airlines (AA), Delta Air Lines (DL), and United Airlines (UA) each operate a hub.
This shared presence creates intense competition, and the three carriers have alternated as the slightly larger operator over the years.
The crowded environment makes LAX one of the least profitable major hubs despite its high traffic volumes.
Heavy international service from foreign airlines adds further pressure, and the relatively even market share limits any single carrier’s pricing power and credit card revenue potential.
Current Lounge Usage Points
The existing Delta One Lounge in Terminal 3 sees its busiest period late at night, ahead of the transpacific departures. Outside that window, the lounge does not draw heavy crowds.
This usage pattern raises a question about how much additional capacity LAX actually requires and how Delta will distribute guests between the two locations.
Passengers may gravitate toward whichever lounge sits closer to their gate, or default to the Terminal 3 location out of habit. Managing crowding without sending business class travelers across terminals will be a key operational challenge for the airline.
Delta Shifts Growth Back to LAX
In recent years, Delta built up its Seattle (SEA) hub as a long-haul gateway, partly as an alternative to LAX.
Growth constraints in Seattle, along with the pressure of sitting behind Alaska Airlines (AS) in that market, have prompted Delta to redirect expansion back toward Los Angeles.
The airline is set to launch flights from LAX to Hong Kong (HKG) shortly, with Manila (MNL) service planned for 2027.
The Hong Kong route in particular is viewed as a likely loss maker, especially given current oil prices.
The new Delta One Lounge appears positioned to support this rising transpacific demand, though whether Delta has larger ambitions at LAX remains unclear.
First for US Premium Lounges
The decision stands out as a notable milestone for the US aviation industry. No carrier among the “big three” has previously operated two premium international business lounges at the same airport.
By moving forward at LAX, a market defined by fierce competition and thin margins, Delta has set a clear precedent that rivals may eventually follow.
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