Returning to Normal: All Currently Open Airline Lounges in the US - The Points Guy (2023)

Editor's Note: This is a recurring post that will be updated regularly with new information on lounge reopening.

People return to heaven as lockdowns ease and vaccination rates rise. However, the actual flight experience looks very different as airlines decrease andService flow redesignto minimize interactions between passengers and crew and reduce points of contact.

Even on the ground, air travel may seem unfamiliar as some airline lounges remain closed due to a combination of low demand and social distancing requirements. Things may not be going as usual in the open lounges in the meantime. For example, many lounges still only offer packaged food and drinks instead of their usual buffets and honesty bars. However, normality is slowly returning, at least in Germany.

If you're flying soon, find out which lounges are currently open here.

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Let's start by taking a look at the North American airlines that account for the majority of travel to, from, and within the United States. You'll notice that some airlines are missing from this list, like Southwest and JetBlue, because they don't operate lounges.

American Airlines

American Airlines offers three tiers of lounge experiences for its premium and elite passengers, including the more basic and predominantAdmirals Club,Flaggschiff-Loungesin major international gateways andFlagship-First-Restaurantson a smaller number of important hubs.

In general, flagship lounges cater to premium international passengers (whereby those flying in first-class three- and four-cabin aircraft are invited to flagship first dining) and the upper echelons. Meanwhile, Admirals clubs are for local streetfighters and require membership, a day pass, elevated elite status, or theCiti® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®access.

After being closed for nearly 18 months, American justhas reopened its New York-JFK Flagship Loungeand Flagship First Restaurant in mid-September. The Miami (MIA) flagship lounge will reopen on September 28, followed by the airline's three other outposts - Chicago (ORD), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and Los Angeles (LAX) - later in fall 2021.

American has since reopened all of its domestic Admirals Clubs, as well as a few international ones:

• Atlanta (ATL) – North Terminal, Concourse T
• Austin, Texas (AUS) – Gate 22.
• Boston (BOS) – Terminal B.
• Charlotte (CLT) – Halls B and C
• Chicago O'Hare (ORD) - Halls G, H/K and L.
• Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) – Terminals A, B, C, D und E.
• Denver (DEN) – Hall A
• Honolulu (HNL).
• Houston Intercontinental (IAH) – Terminal A.
• Los Angeles (LAX) - Terminals 4 and 5 and Eagle Regional Terminal.
• Mexico City (MEX).
• Miami (MIA) – Gates D15 and D30.
• Nashville (BNA) – Halle C.
• New York Kennedy (JFK) – Terminal 8, Concourses B and C.
• New York LaGuardia (LGA) – Halle D.
• Newark (EWR) – Terminal A.
• Orange County, Kalifornien (SNA) – Tor 8.
• Orlando (MCO) - Gate 55.
• Philadelphia (PHL) – Terminals B/C und F.
• Pittsburgh (PIT) - Main Lobby.
• Phoenix (PHX) - Gates A7 and B5.
• Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina (RDU) – Terminal 2.
• San Francisco (SFO) – Terminal 1.
• Sao Paulo (GRU).
• St. Louis (STL) – Halle C.
• Tampa (TPA) – Tor 85.
• Washington Reagan (DCA) – Terminals B und C.

It is not yet clear when the remaining international Admirals Club locations will open.

Related:American Airlines is expanding lounge access to more passengers and tightening rules

Once you're in a club, you can expect free hot food; signature dishes for sale; self-service snacks; disposable single use glassware; a full-service bar; touchless menus with signage and QR codes; foot operated door openers; hand sanitizer stations; and glass shields on service counters. Also, Admirals Clubs are again serving avocado toast in the mornings and guacamole and chips in the afternoons. A face covering is required while in the club, but you can remove it to eat or drink.

Related:3 reasons why this is the best card for Admirals Club lounge access when voyage returns

American recently began selling premium wines and bottled champagne in select cities. Alternatively, customers can now sample wine flights, which cost between $11 and $13.

Related:Here's what food and drink to expect on your next flight

Delta Airlines

TrotzOffering the best business class product in the USA. (At least for now) Delta only has one type of lounge. That means you'll find yourself in a Sky Club whether you're traveling in International Business Class, have Delta Elite status orGain access via some popular credit cards.

As of late June, all Sky Club locations have reopened, including the following:

• Atlanta (ATL – ACPT).
• Atlanta (ATL-C37).
• Atlanta (ATL-A17).
• Atlanta (ATL-B18).
• Atlanta (ATL-D12).
• Atlanta (ATL-D27).
• Atlanta (ATL-E).
• Atlanta (ATL-F).
• Atlanta (ATL-T).
• Austin (AUS - 4).
• Boston (BOS-A7).
• Chicago (ORD-T2).
• Cincinnati (CVG-B).
• Dallas (DFW-E).
• Denver (DEN-A).
• Detroit (DTW-A38).
• Detroit (DTW-A68).
• Detroit (DTW-C).
• Fort Lauderdale (FLL-C1).
• Honolulu (HNL – F1).
• Indianapolis (IND – A).
• Jacksonville, Florida (JAX-A).
• LaGuardia (LGA-C).
• LaGuardia (LGA-D).
• Los Angeles (LAX – T2).
• Memphis (MEM – B/C).
• Miami (MIA – H/J).
• Milwaukee (MW – D).
• Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP – C).
• Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP – F/G).
• Nashville (BNA-B3).
• Newark (EWR-B).
• New Orleans (MSY – C).
• New York (JFK-T2).
• New York (JFK-T4).
• Orlando (MCO – 4).
• Portland (PDX – D).
• Philadelphia (PHL – D/E).
• Phönix (PHX – T3).
• Raleigh (RDU – T2).
• Seattle (SEA – A).
• San Diego (SAN – T2).
• San Francisco (SFO – C3).
• Salt Lake City (SLC).
• Tampa (TPA – E68).
• Washington DC (DCA – B15).,
• West Palm Beach, Florida (PBI – 4).

Just note that the shower facilities will remain closed and you must wear a mask during your visit except when eating or drinking.

Delta requires all travelers entering a Sky Club to wear a face mask or appropriate face covering over their nose and mouth. Food is take away and full bar service is available.

Related:The best Delta Sky Club lounges in the USA

United Airlines

United offers Polaris lounges for its premium long-haul international passengers and United Clubs for domestic travelers with membership, elevated elite status, or an eligible co-branded card. United has temporarily closed all of its Polaris lounges but has reopened the following United Club locations:

• Atlanta (North Terminal, Concourse T, between Gates 11 and 12).
• Austin (near Gate 22).
• Boston (near Gate B24).
• Chicago O'Hare (near Gate B6, near Gate B18, near Gate C16 and across from Gate F9).
• Cleveland (between gates C14 and C16).
• Dallas-Fort Worth (between gates E6 and E7).
• Denver (near Gate B32).
• Fort Lauderdale (near Gate C1).
• Honolulu (above Gates G2 and G3).
• Houston Intercontinental (near Gate E11, Gate C1, Gate C33 and Terminal B, South Mezzanine).
• Las Vegas (between gates D33 and D35).
• Los Angeles (near Gate 71A).
• New York LaGuardia (near the entrance of Gates 40-59).
• New York Newark (near Gate C74 and near Gate C93).
• Orange County (near Gate 9).
• Orlando (near Gate B43).
• Raleigh-Durham (opposite Gates D1 and D3).
• San Antonio (between gates B3 and B5).
• San Diego (between gates 47 and 48).
• San Francisco (near Gate E4 and near Gate F11).
• Washington Dulles (near Gate C7, near Gate D8 and near Gate 17).

All customers must wear a face covering except when eating and drinking. Clubs serve pre-packaged snacks, including some fresh food, and offer full bar service.

Related:The Ultimate Guide to Accessing the United Club

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines offers a fairly extensive lounge network for a primarily domestic and short-haul airline.

All locations are open again:

• Anchorage (ANC) – Concourse C, near Gate C-1.
• Los Angeles (LAX)— Terminal 6 on the mezzanine level, near Gate 64.
• New York-JFK - Terminal 7 on the mezzanine level, directly above security.
• PORTLAND, OR (PDX) - Concourse C, across from Gate C5.
• San Francisco (SFO)— Terminal 2, just after Security Control D.
• Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) - Concourse C, on the mezzanine level next to Gate C16.
• Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) - Concourse D, just past the Central Security Checkpoint.
• Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) - North Satellite on mezzanine level, above Gates N13 through N18.

Related:That's why Alaska Airlines miles are the most valuable

Air Canada

Air Canada initially took a more extreme step than its peers south of the border, closing all lounges worldwide. This includes all Maple Leaf lounges as well as the relatively new onesSignature-Suite-Lounges in Toronto und Vancouver.

As travel picks up again, Air Canada has begun reopening its lounges with a revised service flow. Lounges are currently open at Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (international and domestic gates), Toronto-Pearson (Gates D and E), Vancouver (Gates C) and the Calgary Lounge (Concourse C).

The new Maple Leaf Lounge @ la table service allows meals to be ordered and delivered directly to your table by simply scanning an NFC or QR code found at the table. Visitors can also choose from two cold meals that are pre-packaged and sealed in a snack bag. There is also attended bar service with a full bar menu.

Related:Review of Air Canada's 787 in business class from Shanghai to Montreal

Amex Centurion-Lounges

American Express closed all Centurion lounges worldwide back in March. However, all US locations, including several brand new ones, have since reopened.

The following US lounges are currently welcoming eligible cardholdersDie Platinum Card® von American Expressor Centurion brand cards:

• Charlotte (CLT).
• Dallas (DFW).
• Denver (DEN).
• Houston (IAH).
• Las Vegas (The).
• Los Angeles (LAX)(temporarily closed for construction).
• Miami (MIA).
• New York (JFK).
• New York (LGA).
• Philadelphia (PHL).
• Phoenix (PHX).
• San Francisco (SFO).
• Seattle (MORE).

All lounges will operate under Amex's new "Centurion Lounge Commitment" to ensure the health and safety of flyers and staff. It includes socially distant seating, reduced capacity, more frequent cleanings, hand sanitizing stations and more. The bar will be open with a full wine list, but cocktail menus are abridged. Masks are mandatory when entering the lounge and may only be removed for eating or drinking.

Related:Amex Centurion lounges are bringing back self-service dining

priority pass

The club operates 24 lounges across the US and UK with free access to most locations for travelers with a Priority Pass membership. The following US locations are open:

• Club ATL (Hall F).
• Club BOS (Terminal C).
• Club BWI (Hall D, near Gate 10).
• The Club BUF (Main Terminal).
• The Club CHS (Main Terminal, on the second floor towards Hall B).
• The Club CVG (Main Terminal, Concourse A).
• Club DFW (Terminal D, near Gate 27).
• The Club JAX (Hall A, behind the Food Court).
• Der Club LAS (Terminal 1).
• The Club MCO (Airside 1).
• The Club MCO (Airside 4).
• Club MSY (third floor of the main terminal, next to the entrance to Hall C).
• The Club PIT (Hall C).
• The Club SEA (Hall A).
• The Club SEA (S Gates).
• Club SJC (terminal A15).

There are several other Priority Pass lounges that have also reopened, including the Wingtips lounges at the JFK and STL locations, and Minute Suites.

Registration required for select benefits.

Escape Lounge - Centurion's studio partner

Out of the 11 US locations, here are the escape lounges currently open:

• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).
• Palm Beach International Airport (PBI).
• Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO).
• Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP).
• Oakland International Airport (OAK).
• Bradley International Airport (BDL).
• Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD).
• Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP).
• Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG).

The gives you free access to these loungesAmex PlatinkarteorDie Business Platinum Card® von American Express. Registration required.

International airlines

While many airlines are taking a blanket approach of closing all lounges, some have opted to keep one or two open, mainly at their home airports or key international hubs. Almost all foreign airline lounges in the US are closed, including all locations operated by Cathay Pacific, Virgin Atlantic, Korean Air, Emirates, Qantas and others. However, there are a handful of international lounges that are back in operation in the US, albeit with reduced hours or reduced service offerings, including:

• British Airways Galleries and Concorde Lounges in New York (JFK)
• Lufthansa Lounges in Newark (EWR), New York (JFK), Boston (BOS), Detroit (DTW) und Washington, D.C. (IAD).
• Air France-KLM lounges in New York (JFK), Boston (BOS), Chicago (ORD) and San Francisco (SFO).
• Turkish Airlines lounges in Washington, D.C. (IAD) and Miami (MIA).
• Korean Airlines lounges in New York (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX)

Note that some of these lounges are part of the Priority Pass network, however access may be restricted to members due to capacity restrictions.

bottom line

Premium cabin passengersa Priority Pass membershipThere used to be multiple lounges to choose from, especially at major airports like New York-JFK and Los Angeles International. Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus pandemic, a number of airport lounges around the world remain closed and those that remain open offer a different experience than customers are used to. However, as travel picks up again, many lounges are reopening.

Additional reporting by Benét J. Wilson and Ethan Steinberg.