Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is the “World’s Busiest Airport” 18 years running. While I think the airport is run efficiently most of the time, over 100 million passengers passed through ATL in 2015, meaning it is consistently PACKED!
While you may enjoy sitting at the ATL gates with 100 million of your closest friends, I much prefer to escape to an airport lounge – specifically, The Club at ATL!
Why visit The Club at ATL?
With Headquarters in Atlanta, the ATL airport is Delta’s home turf. The Delta presence in ATL is evident – with a Delta SkyClub (or two) in every Concourse! While I appreciate a good SkyClub, I often find myself rebelling against Delta’s ATL reign by flying my one true LUV – Southwest! (Thanks to my ever-valuable Companion Pass!)
Unfortunately for me, being a Southwest flyer = no Delta SkyClub!
So what does an Atlanta Southwest flyer in desperate need of an airport lounge do?
Flash my Priority Pass Card and hop in The Club at ATL!
How to Access:
The best part about The Club at ATL is how inclusive it is. Priority Pass, Lounge Club, Lounge Key, Diners Club – all are welcome!
Don’t think you have access to those programs? Think again! Memberships to these programs are often provided by premium credit cards. For instance, if you have any of the following credit cards, you have access to Priority Pass!
- Chase Sapphire Reserve
- American Express Platinum & Business Platinum
- Citi Prestige
- J.P. Morgan (Chase) Ritz-Carlton Rewards
The lounge also serves as the Business and First Class airline lounge for international flights by many non-SkyTeam Alliance partners like OneWorld’s Qatar Airways for their ATL – DOH passengers.
Where to Find:
The Club at ATL lounge is located in the ATL International Concourse F. Even if you are flying out of a different terminal/concourse, the ATL airport allows easy access throughout the airport post- security via the Plane Train. For example, Southwest Airlines primarily utilizes Concourse C gates, yet I can take the Plan Train a couple more stops to Concourse F in order to access The Club at ATL.
Hop aboard the Plan Train!
Check out the Map of The Club at ATL on the lounge website!
Once you come up the elevators in Concourse F, look up and you will see the entrance of The Club on the Mezzanine Level.
Take the escalator, and make the short walk over to The Club at ATL entrance.
Make sure to note the time it takes to get between your Concourse and Concourse F so you leave in time to board your flight! If you are a Southwest flyer like me, it should take you approximately 15 minutes to reach your Southwest gate in Concourse C from the Club in Concourse F.
The Lounge:
The Club at ATL is not a large lounge but still has plenty of places to sit – the bar, high-top and low-top tables, and many individual chairs.
The Club does get busy mid-day, but is still a sparsely populated area compared to the bustling ATL Concourses and gates! The last time I visited was the Sunday after Thanksgiving, and while the lounge had over 50 people, I had a place to sit, a beer in my hand, and no complaints.
Grab a seat, make it your own, and enjoy some pre-flight moments of zen! And the views aren’t too shabby either – if you enjoy international security lines and the “Fly Delta Jets” sign!
The Food and Drink:
The Club at ATL website describes the food and beverage offerings as:
- Free Snacks and Drinks
- Free Alcoholic Drinks
I agree with their basic description, but believe that they sell themselves short. Alcoholic drinks are complimentary (though tipping is always nice) and the offerings are not limited to just beer and wine – Bloody Mary’s are a GO! Though I still prefer a cold beer…
And as far as the food goes, I say it qualifies as somewhere between a snack and a meal. If you are here around lunch time you should be able to satisfy your hunger with the “snack” food offerings no problem!
As far as the service goes, I’ll settle with pretty good. The front desk is good, the bartenders are great, but sometimes the lounge gets messy and the timeliness of cleaning is lacking.
The Extra Amenities:
Free food, free drinks, what more could you want!? Well if you are interested, The Club at ATL also offers:
- Telephones (For those who don’t have cell phones…)
- Wi-fi Access throughout
- Work Stations / PCs (in the Business Center)
- Newspapers / Magazines
- TVs (Flying on Sunday – Are you ready for some NFL football!?)
And if you need them, Shower Facilities for those international passengers coming off a long flight (or for others who just forgot to shower that morning)!
Final Thoughts
The Club at ATL is a great place to escape the busiest airport in the ENTIRE WORLD! While you are there, be sure to grab some pre-flight snacks and drinks!
Overall, the lounge is a middle of the road business class lounge that wins with free alcoholic beverages!
I am in Atlanta and in The (Da) Club at ATL pretty often. And while I and always enjoy the experience…. if I had access to a Delta SkyClub, then I would be there in a heartbeat considering the better food offerings!
Sorry, Club at ATL – no hard feelings!
Have any of you Atlanta flyers experienced The Club at AT?
Until next time… Happy Travels!
DW
i have visited the Club many times esp if going international as there is no real international lounge in ATL!!!It used to be the food was better in the Club but the wine list not good at all!!!across at the delta lounge had better wine and beverages but now with the better food in delta(most of the time) and premium wine u can pay $$$for it seems a better deal with the outdoor lounge except if ur not on delta …