Aspire Lounge
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Aspire Lounge – San Diego, CA (SAN)
The Aspire Lounge at San Diego airport is the new incarnation of the former Airspace Lounge. The club welcomes Alaska Lounge members, American Airlines Admirals Club members, American Express Platinum card holders, Priority Pass members, airline-invited guests, and all passengers, regardless of airline or class of service, on a pay-in basis.
The Aspire Lounge is located in Terminal 2, near gate 23. While all passengers departing from San Diego are welcome to visit the lounge, the location caters primarily to Air Canada, Allegiant, American, British Airways, Japan Airlines, Volaris and WestJet customers.
Aspire Lounge SAN design
Aspire Lounge – San Diego, CA (SAN)
The Aspire Lounge at San Diego airport boasts a simple and serene decor with white tones, clean lines, and modern furniture. The club occupies a prime location with panoramic tarmac views. The space is bathed in daylight, thanks to the floor-ceiling windows along two walls.
The sleek furniture is arranged in a layout that offers a comfortable amount of privacy, with power outlets at every seat and side tables throughout. Tabletop seating along the windows offers prime tarmac views.
At the rear of the seating area, a bookcase carves out a small, more secluded living room like area with four seats. The space is somewhat eclectic in a charming and naïve way, with painting-like picture frames and wooden furniture that seems to come right out of IKEA.
The bar acts as the focal point of the design, with the tarmac view as the backdrop. The naturally social space is flanked by a small dining area with tables for two—the only area where power outlets aren’t as ubiquitous.
Aspire Lounge SAN amenities
The Airspace Lounge features a set of essential amenities for domestic and international travel alike.
Aspire Lounge – San Diego, CA (SAN)
Guests will find a simple but tasty selection of snacks and finger food, such as cheese and hardboiled eggs in the morning, and soups, salads, hummus and crudités throughout the day.
Passengers traveling on British Airways and JAL benefit from an expanded complimentary selection, including noodles for Japan bound travelers.
Coffee, tea, soda, house wines and well drinks are complimentary, while premium alcoholic beverages are available for purchase.
(Note that all food options are complimentary. Under former management by Airspace Lounges, the club used to sell food, with a stipend for airline-invited guests and American Express card holders. Swissport, the new operator, has brought the lounge up to the Aspire standards, which include a complimentary self-service buffet for all guests.)
Aspire Lounge – San Diego, CA (SAN)
Business amenities include a fax/printer and two self-service computers. In a typical trait of modern lounges, there is no standalone dedicated business center, but the lounge has plenty of well-appointed work spaces with power outlets.
Newspapers and magazines are available, including British and Japanese press catering to British Airways and JAL passengers.
The Aspire Lounge offers the only shower suite at San Diego airport. The room is outfitted with a rain shower, a toilet, and a sink. Towels and bath bath amenities are provided.
Aspire Lounge SAN bottom line
Aspire Lounge – San Diego, CA (SAN)
The Aspire Lounge boasts the best tarmac views at San Diego airport, and it is the only club with a shower. As a domestic lounge, it is an excellent option for a snack, a few last minute work emails, or drinks at the bar.
As an international business class lounge, however, the Aspire Lounge isn’t particularly impressive. The relatively limited food spread doesn’t quite make the mark, and the club often routinely operates at capacity, given the expansive guest list.
The transition from Airspace to Aspire Lounge has been a net positive, though—food is now complimentary for all customers, regardless of access credentials.
- The luminous space and views on the tarmac.
- The modern design.
- The shower.
- The limited food spread for international travelers.
Aspire Lounge at San Diego, CA (SAN) welcomes:
- All passengers, regardless of airline and class of service, for a fee.
- Select premium customers and elite members departing on an airline served by this lounge (see Airlines tab).
Cards accepted
American Airlines Admiral Club
When flying American Airlines
Alaska Lounge+
When flying Alaska
American Express Platinum/Centurion card
DragonPass
Lounge Key
Access may be restricted at peak times
Priority Pass (Standard, Standard Plus, Prestige)
Access may be restricted at peak times
You may have access to Aspire Lounge as a premium customer of one of the following airlines, or as an elite member of their frequent flyer program. Check the Access rules tab for more details, or use our lounge access wizard to find out if you have access.
oneworld
Access for eligible customers traveling on the following oneworld member airlines only.
 | Alaska Airlines (AS) |  | American Airlines (AA) |  | British Airways (BA) |
 | Cathay Pacific (CX) |  | Iberia (IB) |  | Japan Airlines (JL) |
 | Qatar Airways (QR) |  | SriLankan (UL) |
Other airlines
 | Edelweiss (WK) |
4.0 / 5, based on 238 reviews
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Overall ratings
It is not near Gate 23. It is the opposite direction, in the hallway toward Gate 33. Take a left after TSA. Be prepared to stand in line for a long time. Small footprint but decent food. And since AA doesn’t have an exclusive lounge here, it’s the only real option.
Just meh. Often a line to get in because of fairly limited seating/footprint. Small bathrooms, occupied half the time. Food and drink rang from meh/basic to nonexistent (although fresh-ish, not just pretzels). Decent for a quick stop but not worth paying or waiting in line for.
Not a bad setup. A little smaller than most lounges, but good variety of snacks, including a veggie chili and horchata on tap, amongst other options.
Some of the power outlets aren’t working, so I’d recommend a bit more attention on the infrastructure…
Been using this lounge for years. 1st as the Airspace Lounge and now the Aspire lounge.
In the early days it was quite place to relax. It has gotten a lot more crowded over the years and many times there is a line waiting to get in.
This lounge is no longer a tranquil place to sit prior to getting aboard the plane.
The food selection and quality has also gotten worse over the the years but beggars can’t be choosers.
This part of Terminal 2 needs another lounge or at least a large restaurant/bar.
Horrible customer service! Was treated in the worst possible way by the very rude and mean people at the front desk. Not worth it to be treated this way, it was a terrible experience.
Nice lounge with great apron view and ample seating in different areas.
There is a small self service buffet offering nuts, cookies and fruits as well as complimentary soft drinks, tea and coffee. If you want something else you have to pay for it. And I mean you really have to pay for it – like 5,5 USD for a water and up to 14 USD for a beer, wine starts at 11 USD per glass. Also some food options for sale. Luckily we got some drink vouchers due to our ticket, otherwise it would have been really insulting.
Free WIFI, newspapers and magazines, business centre with printer.
A well appointed lounge with showers, a great design, and an elaborate menu.