Delta Sky Club

Delta Sky Club – San Diego, CA (SAN)

The new Delta Sky Club at San Diego airport opened in 2013. The lounge occupies a prime location at the heart of Terminal 2, on a mezzanine above the Sunset Cove food court, with a bird’s eyes view on the tarmac and airport grounds. The club features a private terrace overlooking the concourse and runway.

The Sky Club and rival United Club are virtually mirrors of each other — at the top of the escalator, make a right into the Sky Club; the United Club is located on the opposite side of the mezzanine to the left.

Delta Sky Club SAN design

The Sky Club features Delta’s trademark modern club design featuring angular lines, bold colors, modern furniture, and photos from the air that showcase the geometry of our planet.

Delta Sky Club – San Diego, CA (SAN)

While we find Delta’s design occasionally a bit cold and borderline industrial, the décor works well at the San Diego location: the white tones fit well with the abundant sunlight, and Delta has favored calmer blues in lieu of the red surfaces that are the hallmark of some of their other clubs. Bathed in sunlight and relatively quiet due to Delta’s limited service out of San Diego, the lounge feels pristine and inviting.

Behind the reception desk is a traditional carpeted lounge area, with rows of comfortable seats outfitted with shoulder level power outlets and individual side tables. The area might feel a little cramped, and doesn’t feature Delta’s traditional private cube chairs – indeed, the lounge is on the small side and the airline has maximized seating in the main area, though there’s plenty of private spots on the terrace.

Adjacent is the buffet and bar area, which is furnished with dining and cocktail tables. The space is cozy and comfortable, with a plush bench running along the wall opposite the bar. The area benefits from plenty of daylight and feels vibrant and dynamic despite its somewhat small footprint.

Delta Sky Club – San Diego, CA (SAN)

The adjacent terrace is the highlight of the club. The “outdoor” space — effectively an open portion of the indoor mezzanine — overlooks the concourse below and tarmac ahead. It has a true relaxed but vibrant Californian vibe and is outfitted with gorgeous black tile that contrasts with Delta’s signature blue on the wall. The terrace is furnished with rocking chairs which provide plenty of privacy in a pretty unique setting. While the noise of the concourse bleeds in, the terrace is our favorite spot, and a great place to relax and enjoy a (complimentary) drink or two. There’s even power outlets on the ground, so you can enjoy the unique environment while catching up on work.

Walk all the way to the back of the terrace and you’ll find a business center as well as the bathrooms. The layout feels a bit convoluted, but it’s a smart use of the space.

Delta Sky Club – San Diego, CA (SAN)

Delta Sky Club SAN amenities

The Delta Sky Club features a substantial selection of complimentary food and drinks – Delta’s offer in this regard is typically strong, and a notch above over other US airlines. At breakfast time cereal, yoghurt and pastries are available, while snacks, soups, salads and sweets are available throughout the day. The combination of hearty salads and soups works as a substitute for a light meal, and unlike some other airlines, Delta manages to keep their food serving areas pristine and promptly replenished throughout the day.

A fancy digital Starbucks espresso machine concocts a variety of caffeinated drinks, and a selection of syrups is readily available for your sugar needs. Soda, beer on tap and house wine and spirits are complimentary at the bar, while premium drinks come at a cost. When we visited, the bar staff was especially friendly, going as far as setting up an impromptu wine tasting for us. For the more health minded, a selection of infused waters is available on the terrace.

Delta Sky Club – San Diego, CA (SAN)

The gorgeous business center, located at the back of the terrace, offers three small work cubicles, high-top seating with power outlets, a wireless printer, and a shredder.

The Sky Club doesn’t have showers, which makes sense given that the location only serves domestic flights. However, patrons who access the club with an American Express Platinum card may use the shower at the Airspace Lounge, a dozen gates away, which also welcomes Platinum card holders.

Delta Sky Club SAN bottom line

The Delta Sky Club at San Diego airport is a pristine and modern lounge with a vibrant environment, inspiring views and good service. The club delivers on all the essentials, with power outlets at every seat, a substantial food selection, and comfortable and private seating. Considering that San Diego is a secondary city in Delta’s network, the Sky Club beats our expectations – it’s a great place to relax and get work done, and one of Delta’s more enjoyable lounges.