Throughout my layover at LAX, I figured I’d take a look at a number of lounges. So far as oneworld lounges go, I not solely visited the Qantas First Lounge and oneworld Lounge, however I additionally determined to take a look at the Alaska Lounge.
Whereas that is clearly not in the identical league as worldwide premium lounges, it’s nonetheless a reasonably stable home membership lounge. Not solely was it not too long ago renovated, however the lounge had pleasant employees, nice espresso, and above common meals.
Alaska Lounge LAX location & hours
The Alaska Lounge LAX is positioned in Terminal 6, which is the terminal out of which all Alaska Airways flights depart. In case you’re touring on one other airline and need to go to the lounge, remember that the terminal is accessible airside through connectors from Terminals 4, 5, 7, and eight, in addition to Tom Bradley Worldwide Terminal (TBIT).
As soon as in Terminal 6, the lounge is positioned one degree above the primary concourse, close to gate 64. In case you’re coming from the safety checkpoint, simply preserve strolling via the primary terminal hall.
Finally you’ll have the choice of turning both left or proper, and also you’ll need to cling left. On this space you’ll see the elevator to the Alaska Lounge on the left, proper in entrance of gate 64B (there’s no choice to take stairs — presumably there are some emergency stairs, however they’re not accessible beneath regular circumstances).
The Alaska Lounge LAX is open each day from 5AM till 9:30PM.
Alaska Lounge LAX entry necessities
With regards to guidelines for accessing Alaska Lounges:
- Paid Alaska Airways top notch passengers get Alaska Lounge entry, whether or not they paid with money or miles (those that upgraded don’t qualify)
- These with an Alaska Lounge or American Admirals Membership membership get Alaska Lounge entry
- In keeping with oneworld lounge entry guidelines, Alaska Lounges are normal oneworld Sapphire and oneworld enterprise class lounges
There’s a bit extra nuance to lounge entry insurance policies, so see my detailed information about Alaska Lounge entry.
Alaska Lounge LAX seating & format
The Alaska Lounge LAX underwent a full refresh in 2019, and the airline did a extremely good job with this. For context on the modifications, take a look at my 2015 evaluate of this lounge — the distinction is night time and day.
The LAX lounge is without doubt one of the smaller lounges in Alaska’s system, however then once more, this isn’t as massive of a hub for the airline as Portland or Seattle. The lounge consists of 1 giant room, damaged up into a wide range of zones.
Simply inside the doorway is a protracted bench with some eating tables and chairs.
There are then some cozy and effectively padded semi-private chairs, every of which additionally has an adjustable desk.
Behind which can be 4 extra seats, every of which additionally has a desk.
Then the primary a part of the lounge consists of seating that’s higher for eating or working. This contains two communal tables with high-top seating, in addition to some eating tables every seating 4 individuals, within the far nook of the lounge.
Lastly, there are some extra tables alongside the home windows, in addition to a communal desk with a number of seats on the far nook of the lounge, by the bar.
The lounge has nice views of the apron, so you’ll be able to see numerous the exercise from Terminal 6 and Terminal 7 (and you’ve got an particularly good view of operations at gate 64B).
For the reason that lounge refresh, there’s additionally no scarcity of retailers, as a overwhelming majority of seats have these.
For my part the lounge design strikes a superb stability between being cozy and having some persona, whereas nonetheless being practical.
Alaska Lounge LAX meals & drinks
Alaska Lounges have a stable food and drinks choice — I’d say the meals is mostly barely higher than what you’ll discover in Admirals Golf equipment and United Golf equipment, whereas the drinks are considerably higher.
The Alaska Lounge LAX has a self-serve buffet.
Once I was there throughout breakfast hours, choices included greek vanilla nonfat yogurt, chia pudding, strawberries, blueberries, metal minimize oatmeal, scrambled eggs, sausage hyperlinks, muffins, bagels, bread, cream cheese, entire fruit, snack combine, and extra.
Oh, and naturally we are able to’t neglect Alaska Airways’ well-known pancake machine.
Self-serve drinks included Starbucks drip espresso, in addition to a machine with a wide range of espresso drinks. Some will respect that there are additionally syrups accessible, if you wish to sweeten up your drink.
There’s additionally a Coca-Cola soda fountain.
As a scorching sauce fanatic, I really like that Alaska has a scorching sauce caddy by the buffet, to spice issues up a bit.
My single favourite factor about Alaska Lounges is that they’ve barista-made coffees on the bar. You’ll be able to order a latte, mocha, cappuccino, americano, espresso, macchiato, or scorching chocolate, and you may even choose the kind of milk you’d like.
You’ll be able to order your espresso in a to-go cup, in the event you’re in a rush and need to get pleasure from it in your flight. Alaska is the one US airline to constantly supply barista-made espresso as a function in its normal lounges, and it’s one thing I really like.
Alaska Lounges even have a number of complimentary beer, wine, and cocktails. As a largely West Coast airline, I respect how Alaska Airways highlights drinks from the area.
There’s even a signature martini accessible proper now, with espresso, vanilla sweetener, and vodka.
The Alaska Lounge LAX additionally has a small menu of meals accessible for buy, together with pizza, burgers, and hen tenders. Nonetheless, except one thing has modified, it’s not one thing I’d suggest — if you need one thing extra substantial, you’re higher off eating within the terminal.
Alaska Lounge LAX loos
The Alaska Lounge LAX has restrooms contained in the lounge. The lads’s restroom had two stalls and urinals. Nonetheless, be aware that the Alaska Lounge LAX doesn’t have showers (which isn’t shocking, since Alaska Airways doesn’t function lengthy haul flights).
Alaska Lounge LAX service
One factor that stood out to me concerning the Alaska Lounge expertise was how pleasant all of the employees had been. This kind of matches my expertise at different Alaska Lounges. The individuals working there simply appeared plain comfortable, and grateful for purchasers.
The lounge isn’t very giant, so I may hear them greet every passenger as they arrived, they usually did so with nice enthusiasm. I additionally assume it’s attention-grabbing that at the least traditionally, Alaska Lounges have had a no tipping coverage, together with on the bar, regardless of having a number of the nicest and hardest working bartenders you’ll discover at any lounge. That actually counters the development in the USA.
Backside line
I’ve at all times been a fan of Alaska Lounges, and the refreshed LAX location is not any exception. Admittedly these received’t compete with the highest worldwide lounges, however the Alaska Lounge LAX has nice views, good decor, pleasant employees, stable meals, barista-made espresso, and good alcohol.
It has at all times felt to me like Alaska Airways places effort into its lounges, even simply right down to the small considerate touches, like a scorching sauce caddy. When you have the prospect to go to this lounge and have real looking expectations, it shouldn’t disappoint.
In case you’ve visited the Alaska Lounge LAX, what was your expertise like?
