The Guide to Atlanta Airport Lounges

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport consistently ranks as the busiest airport — not just in the U.S., but worldwide.

Whether you're based in the Atlanta area or are one of the many passengers connecting through, spending time in one of the dozen Atlanta airport lounges can make your experience much more pleasant.

Here's what you need to know about Atlanta’s airport lounges and how to get in.

Atlanta airport has a total of 12 lounges spread across the airport's seven concourses.

As a major hub for Delta Air Lines, most of its airport lounges are tied in with the hometown airline — nine of the 12 currently-open Atlanta airport lounges are Delta Sky Club lounges. That means having Sky Club lounge access is going to be your best way to visit a lounge in the Atlanta airport.

However, travelers flying on other airlines still have a few options, including an American Airlines Admirals Club, a United Club and The Club ATL — a lounge designed for Priority Pass members. Here's a breakdown of all 12 Atlanta airport lounges by concourse.

» Learn more: Awesome credit cards with airport lounge access

Delta Sky Club (Central A)

• Located in the center of concourse A, second level.

• Open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

• Must be an eligible passenger traveling on a same-day Delta flight.

• Travelers must be at least 18 to enter without an adult.

Delta Sky Club (gate A17)

• Located near gate A17.

• Open from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily.

• Must be an eligible passenger traveling on a same-day Delta flight.

• Travelers must be at least 18 to enter without an adult.

Atlanta airport's concourse A offers two different Delta Sky Club locations — one in the center of the concourse and another one near gate A17. Both offer fresh food options and premium drinks from a staffed bar.

Delta Sky Club (gate B18)

• Located near gate B18.

• Open from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily.

• Must be an eligible passenger traveling on a same-day Delta flight.

• Travelers must be at least 18 to enter without an adult.

Atlanta airport's Delta-dominated B concourse offers just one lounge, but it's a big one — and it might just be worth the trek from another concourse.

This stunning 25,000-square foot Delta Sky Club is considered to be one of Delta's best lounges (along with the option in concourse F). Travelers can grab food from a wide selection of seasonally-rotated buffet items, enjoy a drink from the full-service bar or gawk out the floor-to-ceiling windows.

» Learn more: What credit cards can get me into the Delta Sky Club?

Delta Sky Club (gate C37)

• Located near gate C37.

• Open from 6:45 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily.

• Must be an eligible passenger traveling on a same-day Delta flight.

• Travelers must be at least 18 to enter without an adult.

Despite being recently refreshed, the Sky Club in concourse C isn't considered one of Delta's best. Still, it could be the best option for you if you're flying out of concourse C and the line is short enough.

Delta Sky Club (gate D12)

• Located near gate D12.

• Open from 6:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

• Must be an eligible passenger traveling on a same-day Delta flight.

• Travelers must be at least 18 to enter without an adult.

Delta Sky Club (gate D27)

• Located near gate D27.

• Open from 6:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

• Must be an eligible passenger traveling on a same-day Delta flight.

• Travelers must be at least 18 to enter without an adult.

Delta Sky Club (gate E15)

• Located near gate E15.

• Open from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

• Must be an eligible passenger traveling on a same-day Delta flight.

• Travelers must be at least 18 to enter without an adult.

The concourse E Sky Club is a traveler favorite for offering a better food selection, friendly staff and being one of only two Sky Clubs to offer shower suites.

After a recent renovation, the lounge now measures 18,000 square feet and holds up to 353 travelers. Plus, travelers can now get in faster due to new self-service check-in kiosks.

Centurion Lounge (opening in 2024)

• Lounge being built on the roof level of concourse E.

• Operating hours to be announced.

• Must be an eligible American Express cardholder traveling on a same-day flight.

American Express is building its largest Centurion Lounge yet in Atlanta. The 26,000-square-foot lounge is expected to open in early 2024 on an upper level of Atlanta's concourse E.

Details released so far note that the lounge will have two outdoor terraces, a "VIP bourbon bar" and AmEx's signature live planter wall — as well as staples like shower suites, private workplaces and a full kitchen preparing buffet meals throughout the day.

» Learn more: How to get into an AmEx Centurion Lounge before your flight

The Club ATL

• Located on the mezzanine level in the concourse F atrium.

• Open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

• Travelers must be at least 18 years old or accompanied by an adult.

• Access restricted to travelers scheduled to depart within three hours.

The Club ATL is the only full lounge available to travelers of any airline. However, you'll need a Priority Pass lounge membership to get inside. The Club ATL consists of one modest-sized room plus bathrooms, shower suites and a few workstations.

A simple snack buffet is located along the back wall of the lounge. Premium passengers of select airlines have a dedicated side room with a separate food buffet.

As the only general-access lounge in the world's busiest airport, it often reaches capacity during peak travel times. During these busy moments, the line to enter The Club ATL can stretch out into the terminal.

» Learn more: What credit cards can get me into Priority Pass lounges?

Delta Sky Club (F Atrium)

• Located on the mezzanine level in the concourse F atrium.

• Open from 6:45 a.m. to 12 a.m. daily.

• Must be an eligible passenger traveling on a same-day Delta flight.

• Travelers must be at least 18 to enter without an adult.

Most of Delta's long-haul international flights depart from the airport's newest terminal: concourse F. Not surprisingly, Delta has arguably made this large, two-story lounge the best Sky Club in Atlanta.

One of the main draws of this lounge is the outdoor patio with views over the F gates and out toward concourse E and one of the airport's five runways.

Atlanta's concourse T is the airport's most diverse concourse for lounges, containing a lounge for each of the three major U.S. airlines — all of which operate out of this recently-expanded 21-gate concourse. Here's what you need to know about each of these lounges.

Admirals Club (gate T11)

• Located across from Gate T11.

• Open from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily — except Saturday when the lounge closes at 7:15 p.m.

• Must be an eligible passenger traveling on a same-day American Airlines flight.

• Travelers must be 18 years or older to enter without an accompanying adult.

This Admirals Club sports the "classic" Admirals Club lounge look — which is to say it hasn't been refreshed to the new Admirals Club style. Despite not offering many of the perks of updated lounges, it isn't a bad place to grab a drink or snack and recharge your phone before your flight.

Most of the lounge's food offerings are served cold, but there’s generally one warm dish — such as scrambled eggs or grits in the morning.

The lounge offers self-serve sodas, coffee and tea with a full-service bar for alcoholic drinks. Travelers over 21 can enjoy complimentary house wine, domestic beers and well spirits.

» Learn more: How to access American Airlines Admirals Club lounges

United Club (between gates T11 and T12)

• Elevator to club located between gates 11 and 12.

• Open from 4:45 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. daily.

• Must be an eligible passenger traveling on a same-day United flight.

This modest-sized United Club offers a solid selection of warm and cold dishes as well as self-serve coffee, tea, soda, beer, wine and prosecco.

AvGeeks will enjoy the lounge's large windows with a view over the T gates and out toward the A gates.

» Learn more: What to know about United Club lounge access

Delta Sky Club (gate T6)

• Located near gate T6.

• Open from 4:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

• Must be an eligible passenger traveling on a same-day Delta flight.

• Travelers must be at least 18 to enter without an adult.

Getting access to the Delta Sky Club is the most reliable way to enjoy a lounge on your next trip through Atlanta's airport.

Recently, Delta has made several drastic changes to Delta Sky Club access, so it's important to check the latest access policy. However, travelers can generally access a Delta Sky Club by being a Delta Sky Club member, flying in Delta One, or holding at least Delta Gold Medallion elite status and flying on a qualifying international itinerary.

» Learn more: Delta Sky Club access: How to get in before your flight

Atlanta airport is the busiest airport in the world. However, due to Delta's hometown dominance, the airport currently offers just three non-Delta lounges. That will change in 2024 with the opening of the largest American Express Centurion Lounge.

In the meantime, travelers will need to fly Delta and have Sky Club access, fly American and have Admirals Club access, fly United and have United Club access, or carry Priority Pass membership to get into a lounge in Atlanta.