Aspire Lounge

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.