Lounge Report and Summary for 2023 (United States)

Matthew Justice / Jan 1, 2024

As of December 31, 2023, there were 323 airport lounges in the United States (excluding USO & military lounges since they are not open to the public). Across the United States (US), lounges were found in 36 of the 50 states (72%). Throughout 2023, 16 new lounges were opened, and many others were remodeled or expanded. Below are some statistics on the landscape of lounges in the United States, as well as my thoughts.

Which states have the most airport lounges?

1. California (49)
2. New York (40)
3. Texas (32)
4. Florida (23)
5. Virginia (16)
6. Illinois (16)
7. Hawaii (14)
8. Georgia (13)
9. Pennsylvania (10)
10. New Jersey (10)

Which lounge operator or airline has the most lounges? (Top 10)

1. Delta Airlines - Sky Club (56)
2. United Airlines - United Club (51)
3. American Airlines - Admirals Club (42)
4. The Club (21)
5. Escape Lounge (14)
6. American Express - Centurion (13)
7. British Airways (11)
8. Alaska Airlines (9)
9. Lufthansa (6)
10. Air France (6)

Note: there are also 53 USO and military lounges located at airports in United States.

Which U.S. airports have the most lounges? (Top 10)

1. New York Kennedy - JFK (28)
2. San Francisco, California - SFO (19)
3. Los Angeles, California - LAX (17)
4. Chicago, Illinois - ORD (16)
5. Atlanta, Georgia - ATL (12)
6. Houston, Texas - IAH (12)
7. Dallas/Fort-Worth, Texas - DFW (12)
8. Washington Dulles, Virginia - IAD (11)
9. Honolulu, Hawaii - HNL (10)
10. Newark, New Jersey - EWR (10)

What new airport lounges opened in 2023?

1. Capital One Lounge (DEN) - November
2. American Airlines (DEN) - October
3. Capital One Lounge (IAD) - September
4. United Club (DEN) - September
5. Delta Sky Club - Terminal E (BOS) - August
6. Air Canada - Maple Leaf Lounge (SFO) - July
7. Escape Lounge (SYR) - June
8. Chase Sapphire Lounge (BOS) - May
9. Centurion Lounge (SEA) - February
10. Delta Sky Club (MCI) - February

My Favorite Lounges (visited) in 2023 (Top 10)

1. Chase Sapphire Lounge (BOS)
2. Plaza Premium Lounge (MCO)
3. Delta Sky Club - Terminal E (BOS)
4. Delta Sky Club - Terminal 3 (LAX)
5. Delta Sky Club (AUS)
6. Turkish Lounge - Concourse H (MIA)
7. The Club (MSY)
8. Centurion Lounge (MIA)
9. Chase Sapphire Terrace (AUS)
10. VIA VIP Club (HRL)

My Favorite Lounge Features in 2023

1. Pop-up Ice Cream Sundae Bar - Delta Sky Club T3 (LAX)
2. Order-to-Table service using a QR Code - The Club (LAS, MSY and BOS)
3. Taproom with craft beer and locally inspired menus
4. Sound Proof Pods (seen at Delta Sky Club BOS & LAX and The Club MSY)
5. Outdoor Patios and Decks
6. Grab-N-Go lounges for those connecting with short layovers
7. Wellness options with massage and mediation rooms
8. Lounges investing in fast Wi-Fi to give customers streaming and work options
9. Lounge Access without membership (day pass)
10. More power plugs including Portable Power Pods and USB-C charging

My Least Favorite Lounge Features

1. People talking or listening to music on their speaker phone in a lounge.
2. Charging for "Premium" Beer, example $5 for a bottle of Stella in a lounge.
3. People taking their shoes off.
4. People being rude to employees in lounges, not tipping, etc.
5. Lounge operators cutting more and more access options to loyal members.

Upcoming Lounge Changes for 2024

1. Basic Economy class fares will no longer be allowed access to Sky Clubs.
2. Alaska Airlines lounge changes. No more fly any airline access and price increase.
3. Chicago Midway getting their first ever lounge.
4. Chase should be opening their Sapphire Lounge in Las Vegas (LAS) and more.
5. Capital One should be opening more lounges.
6. Centurion should be opening ATL and DCA lounges.

Related

• Lounges, 2024 Year in Review (United States)

Closing Thoughts

There were several examples of airports that got their first ever lounges this year such as SYR and MCI. I have seen lounge overcrowding be an issue, compared to last year. I am looking forward to 2024 and seeing what operators bring to market.