First look: Delta unveils new Sky Club and T5 gates at Chicago's O'Hare Airport
Chicago's O'Hare Airport might be the hometown hub of United Airlines and a major hub for American Airlines — but that doesn't mean that Delta Air Lines isn't investing in the Windy City.
In fact, Delta on Tuesday took the wraps off its newest Sky Club in its new Chicago home, Terminal 5. The new lounge and the new gates come as part of a $1 billion project to renovate and expand T5 — of which Delta invested $50 million. (Delta vacates its longtime home in Terminal 2's E concourse on Wednesday, with those gates being reallocated to United and Alaska Airlines.)
The new, 22,600 square-foot lounge will hold nearly 400 travelers — roughly four times as many as could fit in the Sky Club's previous Chicago outpost. That will be incredibly welcome news for customers as Sky Clubs contend with severe overcrowding. And, it's the first Sky Club to feature boarding from inside the lounge — a rarity at a U.S. airport.
The lounge is a cut above O'Hare's multiple United Clubs and Admirals Clubs — a testament to Delta's continued investment in premium experiences. It offers elevated food and beverage options — enough for a full meal — and also features shower suites. The new space is the fourth Sky Club Delta has opened this year, following clubs at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND).
TPG got a first-look tour at Delta's new Chicago home on Tuesday, a day before the space opened to the public.
A permanent space
Until Wednesday, all of the gates at Terminal 5 were what is considered common-use: owned and managed by the City of Chicago, O'Hare's operator, and assigned on a daily basis. Delta, on the other hand, will have permanent ticket counter space, and will always use the same gates (nine gates opening Wednesday, with a tenth and final gate opening next August).
The new gates feature extensive seating areas as well multiple charging options: 110-volt outlets, as well as USB-A and USB-C outlets.
Delta's new Sky Club — and its gate areas — are a short walk past the TSA checkpoint. Clear — a staple in terminals where Delta has a significant presence — will not be offered on day one at T5, but the airline is working to bring the expedited security program to Chicago.
In-lounge boarding
The most unique feature of the new Chicago O'Hare Sky Club is that it's the first to offer passengers the opportunity to board select flights directly from inside the lounge.
In fact, there are two gates capable of this type of boarding.
The primary gate Delta will use for that is gate M11, which will be used for flights to the airline's LaGuardia hub.
The gate isn't explicitly labeled in the Sky Club, but there are some hints: a boarding pass reader, as well as a gate information display screen that will show flight information.
Why LaGuardia? There's a "strong business connection to New York," Claude Roussel, Delta's managing director for Sky Clubs, told TPG in an interview. Delta competes fiercely against United and American in the LGA to ORD market.
On the opposite side of the lounge is gate M14, which will be used by Delta's partners that operate from T5, including Air France, KLM and Korean Air.
It's the first time Delta is under the same roof as its major international partners in Chicago, and that fact guided some of the lounge design.
"We would have not put showers in this lounge if it was for a domestic market," Roussel said. Indeed, Delta's existing lounge at ORD does not have showers.
Warm and inviting seating
There are multiple different seating areas in the 400-seat lounge.
The types of seating Delta chooses is data-driven based on the types of travelers who use the lounge, Roussel said. Business travelers tend to prefer more solo seating options, while families prefer communal seating.
More: Delta's largest-ever Sky Club shines in its big LAX debut
At the new ORD club, there are individual seats, couches, high-top tables and swivel chairs that rotate 360 degrees and can be pointed directly at the window for prime AvGeek views.
And, in what has become a staple of Delta's newest Sky Clubs, the lounge features a media wall with multiple channels of TV playing at once, as well as comfy seating around it. Don't worry about lounge disruptions — the volume will always be muted.
The lounge will also offer quiet pods — perfect for business travelers to get work done with minimal distraction, or to hold a phone call.
As at the gate areas, multiple types of charging were available, including 110-volt outlets, along with USB-A and C. Some surfaces also support wireless device charging through the Qi protocol.
The warm tones of the lounge are designed to feel welcoming, Roussel said.
"When you come into a lounge, we want you to feel like you've entered a nice hotel lobby," he said.
A large kitchen brings improved food
A key differentiator between Delta's Sky Clubs and its competition is the elevated food and beverage program — and that continues in Chicago.
The new Sky Club in Chicago features a kitchen that's significantly larger than that in the club it replaces — allowing for more varied, fresher food items, as well as the opportunity to bring in guest chefs for special events.
The new club features two massive buffet lines serving a wide variety of foods, including chicken and waffles, a large charcuterie board and fruit and yogurt parfaits. Hot options include apple barbecue chicken thighs and macaroni and cheese. Roussel talked about offering all-day brunch as part of the menu in the future.
As is typical at Sky Clubs, a bar offers a mix of free and for-purchase alcoholic beverages. The bar is shaped like a peninsula, allowing customers to access it on three sides.
A secondary bar is in the rear of the lounge. It's primarily a wine bar, but other drinks can be ordered from it as well.
Soft drinks are available from a self-service soda fountain, as well as a fountain that dispenses still and sparkling water. Espresso machines are available for a caffeine jolt, as is drip coffee.
Finally, for a uniquely Chicago touch, a cart will offer up Chicago-style hot dogs.
Shower suites
The new club features four shower suites.
As is the case at other new Sky Clubs, access to the suites is via a virtual queue system. A kiosk for the queue is located at the front of the lounge, as well as near the showers.
Each shower suite features a toilet and sink, in addition to the shower, with towels and a hair dryer provided. Toiletries are by Grown Alchemist, building on a partnership with the label that Delta has for its premium Delta One cabins.
An artful space
Delta's new Sky Club is full of original artwork — either by artists with ties to Chicago or pieces that feature the Windy City prominently.
"We have pieces all over and the goal is always to bring back the city," Roussel said.
Bottom line
Delta's massive investment at O'Hare is a testament to the importance of this key business market to the Atlanta-based carrier. You wouldn't know that ORD ranks 14th in daily departures for Delta stations if you saw the upgrade to the gates and Sky Club that will open on Wednesday. The space is warm and inviting —and offers better amenities than any United Club or Admirals Club that currently exists at ORD.
With such an appealing space, Delta now must contend with the challenge of managing overcrowding in the new lounge. While the space is four times larger than its old lounge, it will now also directly serve premium cabin passengers and SkyTeam elites who fly on Delta's partner airlines.
While Delta isn't opening an ORD hub anytime soon, the carrier's new space is a big treat for its loyal passengers.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.