Delta Airlines is borrowing the boarding lane concept from its gate areas to prioritize its most-elite passengers for access to its Sky Club airport lounges, allowing them to jump the line when lounges are at capacity.
Airport lounges have become one of the most sought-after perks for travelers, offering more comfortable seating than airport waiting areas, and usually free food and drink as well. Some even offer showers, nap rooms and work areas.
But with the revival of air traffic coming on top of wider promises of access made to drum up business during the pandemic, often as a perk to travel credit cards, the lounges have become increasingly crowded. Many lounges close to credit card customers at peak times, or have waiting lists for entry.
Delta’s move is the first—but may not be the last—to reward their most loyal (and lucrative) elites with the line-skipping perk. Those who will be entitled to the preference (along with their priority boarding status) are
- Delta One business-class flyers.
- Delta 360 invite-only elites.
- Delta Diamond Medallion top-tier passengers.
- Delta First Class flyers (with lounge memberships).
