Delta is making several changes to its Sky Club access policy “to help preserve a premium experience”.
The carrier said that “A byproduct of Delta Sky Club’s widespread popularity is visit growth that has outpaced Club capacity – resulting in frustration for some customers who find themselves waiting in lines or searching for seating once inside”.
As a result Delta is making changes from the start of 2023 to address the capacity issues, including:
- An increase in the fees for annual Club memberships, and going forward they will only be available for purchase by Diamond, Platinum, Gold and Silver Medallion members
- The fee for companion guests is also increasing – from $39 or 3,900 miles to $50 or 5,000 miles
- Delta Sky Club members flying on Basic Economy tickets will not be able to enter Sky Clubs, unless they have a benefit through an eligible American Express Card which allows for access
- Diamond, Platinum, and Gold Medallion Members flying internationally in Main Cabin or Delta Comfort+ will no longer receive Delta Sky Club access, unless they have access through a different entry method (such as a Delta Sky Club membership)
The airline is also launching a new real-time Club occupancy tracker at Detroit and Atlanta airport, to allow customers to monitor Club availability via the Fly Delta app.
Occupancy levels will be listed across four levels ranging from “not busy” to “extremely busy”. The tracker is set to be rolled out to all Sky Clubs in the first half of next year.
In addition a new dedicated entry lane is being rolled out to high capacity Clubs, giving expedited entry to Diamond Medallion and Delta 360 members, as well as Delta One customers.
More information on all changes being made, including price increases and dates the changes will be effective, can be seen here.
This year Delta has opened a raft of new and expanded Sky Clubs, all of which have been reported on this site:
Looking ahead the carrier expects to open eight new or expanded Sky Clubs in 2023, including:
- Its first facility at Kansas International airport
- A new Concourse G Club at Minneapolis St Paul (rendering pictured above)
- A new lounge at New York’s JFK T4 as part of Delta’s move from T2
- An expanded Club at Fort Lauderdale
- a new lounge within Boston’s E Concourse
- A relocated Sky Club at Newark airport (from Terminal B to Terminal A)
- An expanded lounge at Miami International
- A renovated Sky Club at Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson
Commenting on the news Dwight James, senior vice president – customer engagement and loyalty, and CEO – Delta Vacations, said:
“It’s incredibly important to us that Delta Sky Clubs continue to deliver an industry-leading experience for our guests.
“While we’re thrilled to see so many customers enjoy the fruits of our teams’ hard work, our goal now is to balance the popularity of the Clubs with the premium service and atmosphere for which they were designed – and that our guests deserve.
