5 most exciting new airport lounge openings from 2024
Airport lounges can be a much-needed oasis from a stressful travel day.
While there's already a lot of variety in airport lounges, this year ushered in some stellar new outposts that are sure to impress. In fact, while lounges outside of the U.S. have generally been nicer than those back home, U.S. airports did some serious catching up this year.
We saw new lounges from Delta Air Lines and Alaska Airlines, as well as flagship outposts from credit card issuers that quickly became some of the nicest across the entire country.
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Without further ado, here are five of our favorite new lounges that opened in 2024.
Chase Sapphire Lounge — LGA
The credit card airport lounge wars have never been fiercer, and Chase made a strong move this year with the opening of its Sapphire Lounge by The Club at New York City's LaGuardia Airport (LGA).
This two-story outpost spans more than 21,000 square feet, and it's packed with amenities, including a retro arcade and a facial bar. With top-notch food and beverage options — many of which are available from restaurant-style a la carte menus — this space is a winner.
Those with deep pockets will be extra excited about this space because the lounge also offers Reserve Suites; these are a unique lounge-within-a-lounge experience that includes butler service in spacious private rooms.
Delta One Lounge — JFK
This year, Delta joined its big network competitors by introducing business-class-only lounges. Delta One Lounges are a notch above the already well-respected membership-based Sky Clubs, and the flagship location in New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is a winner.
It spans nearly 40,000 square feet (though it still gets full during peak afternoon and evening departure banks) and offers a beautiful outdoor terrace, eye-catching horseshoe-shaped bar, spa, shoeshine service and much more.
The lounge's brasserie even offers some of the best food one can find in a domestic lounge.
Delta has since expanded its business-class lounge portfolio to Los Angeles, and it'll soon open spaces in Boston and Seattle. That said, based on size alone, the one in JFK will likely be the nicest one.
American Express Centurion Lounge — ATL
American Express was the first card issuer to open airport lounges in the U.S., and 11 years after the first space opened (in Las Vegas), the company is out with its nicest space yet.
That's the nearly 26,000-square-foot outpost at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). It features two outdoor decks, a whiskey bar and a gorgeous, locally inspired design. It opened in February and quickly became the nicest lounge at ATL — even better than all of Delta's Sky Clubs.
Given that the space is inside the world's busiest airport, it's no surprise that travelers often find themselves waiting in line to get inside. (Those with the Amex Centurion Card don't need to wait in line because there's a hidden lounge-within-a-lounge for these deep-pocketed travelers.)
The information for the Amex Centurion Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Alaska Lounge — SFO
Alaska Airlines' lounges might be famous for their instant pancake machines, but there's much more to the new Alaska Airlines lounge at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) than the breakfast staple.
The 11,000-square-foot space is in Alaska's new SFO home in Terminal 1. It features a barista-staffed coffee bar and a handful of San Francisco-themed touches, such as sourdough bread from the Acme Bread Company and a candy station featuring Ghirardelli chocolates.
The space is designed with the carrier's latest motifs and will hopefully usher in a new era for the airline's lounges.
Capital One Landing — DCA
Rounding out the list is an all-new airport lounge concept that Capital One debuted at Washington, D.C.'s Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) just last month.
Dubbed Capital One Landing, this new dining-focused space is designed in partnership with the José Andrés Group. The space is small — measuring just about 5,500 square feet — but if you can snag a table, you'll likely enjoy the tasty food and delicious drinks. (Pro tip: Those with the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card can make a reservation up to six months in advance.)
Even if you don't have a Capital One card, you can pick up some José Andrés food at the to-go counter. Capital One will open a landing at LGA in the coming weeks, but it'll be interesting to see how this new concept fares, especially at airports designed for short-haul flying and short stays.
Bottom line
It's been an exciting year for airport lounge openings. From Chase's new two-story facility in LaGuardia to Delta's first-ever business-class-only lounge, there's lots to get excited about heading into the holiday travel season.
Better yet, 2025 is also poised to be another blockbuster year for airport lounges. Chase and Capital One should have big openings, while United Airlines has embarked on a much-needed expansion project for some of its most popular Polaris lounges. American Airlines is also expected to open a long-awaited Flagship Lounge in Philadelphia next year, too.
Of course, all of these exciting new lounges never seem to be big enough to handle the demand, but if you can get inside during a quiet period, you'll enjoy some R&R before your flight.
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- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
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- What are points and miles worth? TPG’s monthly valuations
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Rewards
| 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. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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.
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. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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.