Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) is set to open the first phase of a second Delta One Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) during the summer of 2026, well ahead of the completion of the larger Terminal 2 renovation project. This strategic expansion will give the carrier two Delta One Lounges at LAX before the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, where Delta serves as an inaugural founding partner of LA28 and the official airline for Team USA.
New Routes and Premium Focus
The lounge expansion coincides with Delta's launch of daily nonstop service from LAX to Hong Kong on June 6, 2026, and the addition of three daily flights to Chicago O'Hare starting June 7, 2026. These moves are designed to strengthen Los Angeles as a major gateway for both long-haul international and domestic premium routes. Delta's senior vice president of network planning, Paul Baldoni, stated that adding Hong Kong and Chicago flights expands the airline's footprint in "two of the world's most dynamic markets." Doug Webster, chief operations and maintenance officer at Los Angeles World Airports, described Hong Kong and Chicago as "two critical global hubs."
Lounge Development Timeline
According to a Delta spokesperson, the airline plans to open the first Terminal 2 Delta One Lounge in summer 2026, followed by a Delta Sky Club in Terminal 2 in 2027. The fully renovated and expanded Terminal 2 Delta One Lounge is scheduled to reopen in 2028. The current Delta One Lounge is located in Terminal 3, and Delta uses both terminals, which are connected airside after security. Delta has confirmed that its Delta One check-in and private security will remain in Terminal 3 for the time being.
Details on the size, cost, and full amenities of the new Terminal 2 lounge have not been disclosed. The Points Guy reported that the first phase will include a premium dining option, with a full renovation not expected until 2028. Upgraded Points noted that this lounge is part of the broader Terminal 2 overhaul, which also includes a new Sky Club and ongoing work at the Terminal 3 Delta One Lounge.
Existing Lounge Features
Delta's existing Delta One Lounge at LAX, which opened in 2024, features nearly 200 seats, attendant dining, a year-round sushi bar, a terrace, and wellness spaces with relaxation pods and massage chairs. Claude Roussel, Delta's vice president for Sky Clubs and lounge experience, said at the opening that the LAX lounge provides customers with a "premium experience from coast to coast."
Access and Competition
Access to the Delta One Lounge is restricted to same-day Delta One ticket holders, Delta 360 members flying same-day Delta First Class, and select first- and business-class passengers from partner airlines such as Air France, KLM, Korean Air, LATAM, and Virgin Atlantic. Standard Sky Club memberships and credit cards do not grant entry.
Premium lounge competition at LAX is intensifying. American Airlines operates its Flagship Lounge at Terminal 4, while United Airlines' Polaris Lounge is in Terminal 7. Both lounges target high-revenue passengers rather than general lounge traffic. Delta's new lounge is both a component of its airport renovation and a signal to competitors, as the airline has invested heavily in the $2.3 billion Sky Way project to overhaul its LAX presence.
Market Context
Delta lists LAX as a key hub, stating it is the largest international carrier at the airport by both seats and number of flights. The airline's expansion of premium services and routes reflects its strategy to capture a greater share of high-value travelers in the competitive Los Angeles market, where American, United, and international carriers are all vying for lucrative premium tickets.
