2023 is poised to be another successful year for airport lounges.
Airlines and credit card issuers have been busy building new lounges and renovating existing ones in order to meet unprecedented demand from fliers looking for a (quiet) space to relax before flights theirs.
As more and more lounge-eligible travelers take to the skies, we’ve seen lounges add new access restrictions to combat overcrowding. While some of these policies are starting to work, perhaps the best way to handle the crowds is to build bigger spaces.
Of course, finding space at airports is a perennial challenge, but some airlines and carriers are getting creative by debuting different types of lounges, including smaller posts focused on quick pick-up and drop-off service.
However, there are some highly anticipated salon openings on the horizon this year, and here are the ones I’m most excited about.
Amex Centurion Lounge at Washington National
Estimated opening: 2023.
American Express is the undisputed leader among credit card issuers that also offer airport lounges. The issuer already has 15 Centurion Lounge locations worldwide, and Amex will open a 16th at Washington Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) later this year.
The space will be built into the refreshed National Concourse near Terminal B once the airport’s $1 billion capital improvement program is complete.
On the airside, the 11,500 square meter space will be larger than the previously built Centurion lounges. Expect floor-to-ceiling windows, airport views and unique design touches inspired by the country.
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Capital One Lounge in Denver
Estimated opening: 2023.
Capital One made its mark on the airport lounge scene with the opening of its first post office at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in late 2021.
The issuer’s only lounge has earned high marks from travelers, including myself, and I can’t wait for the issuer’s other lounges to open.
Two more locations are confirmed to open this year (after being delayed from 2022), including an outpost at Denver International Airport (DEN). The Denver location will be approximately 11,200 square feet and will be in Concourse A on the mezzanine level.
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Capital One Lounge at Dulles
Estimated opening: First half of 2023.
Details are light, but Capital One is also debuting a new lounge this year at Dulles International Airport (IAD). The 9,100-square-foot space will be directly behind the TSA PreCheck security line in the main terminal. Dulles Hall should open in the first half of 2023.
Capital One is also expected to open a new location in Las Vegas, but no timeline has been released for that.
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2 new Capital One landings in the Northeast
Estimated opening: “The not too distant future”.
Last year, Capital One unveiled a new airport lounge concept it’s calling Capital One Landings. Capital One will partner with the acclaimed José Andrés Group to curate the food and beverage options at each location. In keeping with the group’s culinary heritage, these Landings will serve Spanish-style tapas.
The first two landings will be at two of the Northeast’s busiest airports: New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Washington Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Arlington, Virginia.
The Landings will differ from traditional lounges in that they will focus primarily on food and drink without much room to relax and unwind.
Capital One has not said when these first two Landings will open, other than teasing that they will open “in the not-too-distant future.” Hopefully, that means 2023.
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Chase Sapphire Lounge in Boston
Estimated opening: 2023.
Not to be outdone by Amex and Capital One, Chase is also entering the airport lounge wars with the upcoming opening of its first domestic Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club.
The first post office to open is expected to be at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) on the Terminal B to C connection.
The 12,000-square-foot lounge will include a wellness area, business lounge, shower suite and a family room, according to airport authorities.
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Chase Sapphire Lounge in San Diego
Estimated opening: Likely 2023.
While Chase has plans to open at least seven domestic lounges, only two are likely to open in 2023. In addition to Boston, Chase is expected to open a Sapphire Lounge location at San Diego International Airport (SAN) later this year.
The 11,000-square-foot lounge will be in San Diego’s Terminal 2 West and will feature design, food, beverage and art partnerships inspired by the country.
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Delta Sky Club at New York’s JFK
Estimated opening: June 2023.
Delta recently consolidated its operations at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in Terminal 4. As part of the move, the airline will open a new Sky Club at Gate A.
This 13,700-square-foot space will boast more than 220 seats and feature Delta’s latest design motifs, including an open kitchen, full premium bar and curated on-site art gallery . A year-round heated sky deck will also be available.
Additionally, the airline is still planning a business-class-only lounge for JFK, but that is expected to open in 2024.
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Delta Sky Club in Boston
Estimated opening: End of summer 2023.
As part of Delta’s growth in Boston, the airline expanded its international operations to the airport’s Terminal E, which will soon be home to a new Sky Club, set to open this summer. The 21,000 square meter space will accommodate over 400 passengers.
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Delta Sky Club in Newark
Estimated opening: Fall/Winter 2023.
Newark recently got a big boost with the opening of the stunning new Terminal A. Right now, American, Air Canada, JetBlue and United call the terminal home. (Only a subset of United flights depart from Terminal A.)
Delta will move to Terminal A after the second phase of construction there is completed this summer, and the airline will open a Sky Club in the new terminal at that time.
No additional details are available at this time, but Delta will share top-level lounge space with a new American Admirals Club.
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2 new United clubs in Denver
Estimated opening: 2023.
United will open a joint club in Denver’s Concourse A later this year. While details are light, the new lounge will be “very large” and “multi-level,” according to United’s head of lounges, Alex Dorow.
In addition to the new space in Concourse A, the airline will also open a completely renovated club in Concourse B near Gate B44.
The so-called B-East post was closed last year for renovations, and the finished product is ready to impress travelers, especially because it will double in size.
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2 new clubs merged in Newark
Estimated opening: Between the second and third quarters of 2023.
Newark is now home to a “one of a kind” United Club which opened last May. This new 30,000 square foot space is close to Gate C123 and has been a hit with flyers.
The old clubhouse near Gate C74 is being renovated and United is building a new location in Terminal A; both will open this year.
The new club in Terminal A will open at the end of the second quarter (around June), while the renovated C74 club will reopen at the end of the third quarter (in September).
Both saloons are expected to look like the new C123 Club in terms of design.
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American Airlines Admirals Club to be determined
Estimated opening: Unclear.
Last year, American debuted a striking new Admirals Club design that is on display in the carrier’s state-of-the-art lounge at DCA.
Three new Admirals Club outposts are in the works (and will feature the new design), but it’s unclear if any of them will actually open in 2023. American has yet to publicly share a timeline for the three locations the following news:
- Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS).
- Denver International Airport.
- Newark Liberty International Airport.
That said, we’re hoping at least one of these new outposts opens this year, because the new design is certainly a sight to behold, especially compared to the existing American locations.
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