Modest, but improved: Delta just doubled the size of its Philly Sky Club
Philadelphia isn't exactly prime Delta Air Lines territory. It's a fortress hub for American Airlines, and Delta flies a pretty modest schedule from the airport — with flights to a handful of its own hubs.
For that reason, you wouldn't expect the airline to operate a sprawling, flagship-worthy airport lounge like the 34,000-square-foot behemoth of a club it opened late last year at its Salt Lake City hub.
No, the carrier's Sky Club at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) has long been on the modest side, covering little more than the bases: food, drinks and a spot to relax.
But it just got a nice face-lift — and a lot bigger.
Delta's Philly Sky Club makeover
Right before the holidays, Delta quietly put the finishing touches on a pretty significant expansion of its Philly outpost.
The D-Concourse Sky Club, which previously sat a mere 75 guests, now has seats for 144, which means the capacity nearly doubled.
Crews had been working since last summer on the expansion, which included an entire new room full of seats, television screens and working spaces.
Beyond this more expansive new space, the carrier added cosmetic and functional upgrades throughout.
Related: How to get Delta Sky Club access, including via elite status and credit cards
You'll find new seats (many equipped with USB-C charging ports) and carpeting for a more modern look.
Delta also revamped the buffet zone to accommodate a larger "back-of-house" food preparation area, which the airline said will allow it to offer a more expansive menu.
The beverage station got a refresh, with a new and improved espresso machine.
And the five bathrooms in this Sky Club got a noticeable makeover, too.
Plus, there are some thoughtful aesthetic touches, like the neat Philly-centric artwork sprinkled around the space.
No match for Delta's upper-echelon clubs
Now, to be clear: These changes certainly won't put this Sky Club anywhere near the upper echelon of Delta's lounge network, which is easily among the best in the airline industry.
This club still doesn't boast the signature bar you'll find in most of the airline's top lounges. And its size alone is a far cry from the expansive outposts in major Delta markets.
Read more: First look at Delta's Sky Club in Charlotte, a fortress hub for American
However, if you're a Delta flyer passing through Philly looking to grab a bite to eat and something to drink, this should get the job done — and there should be a lot more space to relax than there was even just a few weeks ago.
That's helpful as the airline prepares to add a new nonstop from PHL to its Seattle hub later this year.
"We've created a space with more seats, a more intuitive layout and regionally inspired art that bring the city's character into the lounge experience," Claude Roussel, Delta's vice president of Sky Clubs and lounge experience, said in a statement Friday.
Philly lounge wars heat up
As for Philly, the airport is certainly home to an increasingly competitive lounge landscape.
Chase last year opened a beautiful new Sapphire Lounge in Terminal D. And American Airlines debuted a new Flagship Lounge and Admirals Club last summer in Terminal A-West.
Delta flyers with the right American Express credit card in their wallet might still prefer the Centurion Lounge in Terminal A-West, depending on how much time they have before their flight.
But this expanded Sky Club (located in Terminal D) should offer travelers plenty of convenience to Delta's PHL gates — and a viable alternative on days when the Centurion wait times get too long.
Delta Sky Club Philadelphia: What to know
This outpost is open from 4:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sundays through Fridays. On Saturdays, it closes an hour earlier, at 5:30 p.m.
The debut of Delta's Philly Sky Club expansion comes as the airline announced plans Friday to build its first lounge in Las Vegas, and expand two Florida outposts — in Tampa and Jacksonville.
How to access Delta Sky Clubs
One of the easiest ways to get Delta Sky Club access is by carrying a card that comes with a complimentary membership:
- The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card each come with 15 complimentary Sky Club visits per program year (Feb. 1 to Jan. 31). Both carry a $650 annual fee (see rates and fees for the Delta Reserve; see rates and fees for the Delta Reserve Business).
- The American Express Platinum Card® and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express include 10 complimentary Sky Club visits per program year (Feb. 1 to Jan. 31). These cards each carry an $895 annual fee (see rates and fees for the Amex Platinum; see rates and fees for the Amex Business Platinum).
To get access to these clubs, you'll need to be flying on a same-day Delta-operated flight or a Delta-marketed flight operated by WestJet.
High-level Delta Medallion elite status members can alternatively opt for a SkyMiles membership as part of their Choice Benefits.
Keep in mind, Delta now bars passengers from accessing its lounges when flying on a Main Basic (basic economy) fare.
Related reading:
- Your complete guide to the Delta SkyMiles program
- Best Delta credit cards
- Delta Medallion status: What it is and how to earn it
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- How to survive basic economy on Delta Air Lines
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click here.