Lounge Review: The Centurion Lounge - Atlanta (ATL)

Written by Matthew Justice on Jul 13, 2024

I booked a trip to Atlanta just so I could review the newly opened Centurion Lounge (ATL), which opened on February 14, 2024, and was blown away by the ambiance and dining options.

Location and Access

The Centurion is located in Concourse E, at Gate E11. To access the lounge, you actually have to enter next to a boarding gate where people sit for boarding. So if you are visiting the lounge departing E11 or E10, you will be in great shape, but the overall the location is a little strange. The lounge has a stated capacity of 531 people and spans 26,000 square feet (2,415 m²).

I visited the lounge on July 12, 2024, and arrived around 16:00 (4 pm). When I arrived, there was a considerably long line, but to my surprise, it moved incredibly fast; my entire wait was 9 minutes, and they had six employees working the desk to move things along. The person I checked in with was very nice and welcomed me to the lounge.

To access the lounge, I used my Delta Skymiles Reserve credit card. The desk agent scanned my boarding pass and credit card, and I was cleared to enter.

Lounge Amenities

Once inside, the first thing you will see is a door to one of the two nature-inspired outside terraces and a long hallway heading to the central area of the lounge. The lounge is full of amenities for those wanting to relax, work, dine, and even get some fresh air. The decor incorporates live plants (trees), warm lighting, and lots of floor-to-ceiling windows with amazing views of the airfield. There are multiple rooms in the lounge, but they all center around the large indoor tree.

I really loved the flow of this lounge and the incorporation of natural woods, warm tones, living plants, and natural lighting; it seems to give a feeling of peace and relaxation while indoors and you almost forget you are at an airport.

Seating and Work Areas

There are numerous seating options for people to choose from. The first choice is deciding if you want to sit inside or outdoors. Starting outside, there are two terraces to pick from. The first terrace is more isolated; it has lots of plants and some nice walking paths, with sofas, tables, and a few chairs. This terrace has two entrances, including one that opens directly to The Reserve whiskey bar so you are only feet away from a drink. The other terrace faces the airfield with great views of airplanes. Both terraces have ceiling fans and are partially covered.

There are lots of table seats great for dining. There is a large room with many tables situated between the buffets and the bar. In addition, there is window seating and several areas great for families or solo travelers to sit and eat, work, or just relax.

For those wanting some quietness or an area to work, there are several options, including a multi-purpose room that could serve as a family room or a quiet room. There are also private phone rooms enclosed in glass where you can work or have phone calls and booth seating great for one or two people to have a meeting or work on a laptop.

Food and Beverage

As usual for Centurion lounges, there was a great variety of food and drink options to choose from. There is a large buffet area with lots of cold and hot options, including fruit, bread, and assorted cheeses, where you can make your own charcuterie board.

Throughout the lounge you will find other beverage stations and snacks. Some notable items I saw were fresh cannolis, fresh fruit cups, pineapple & mango juice, hummus with crudités, hard-boiled eggs with local greens, and local Georgia peaches. The lounge also features local coffee from REVCoffee Rosters in Smyrna, Georgia.

The Reserve - Whiskey Bar

One of the unique areas of the lounge is The Reserve Whiskey Bar. This dedicated bar is located near the main dining area and focuses on whiskey but also serves other drinks, including wine and beer. There is also table seating inside the bar where you can eat or work.

When I was there, there were people both hanging out and some people working while having a cocktail. The bar has common selections as well as some less common offerings, including Michter's, Blue Blue Run, Maker's 46, as well as many others. While I was there, I tried a Great Uncle, and it was top-notch.

Restrooms and Showers

The lounge has both restrooms and showers. While I was there, I visited the restroom but did not capture any photos. They were both clean and well-maintained.

Internet, Noise, and Charging

I did not measure the internet or noise when in the lounge, but it was a bit loud in the main dining area. Both terraces, the phone rooms, and The Reserve have charging ports so you can charge your devices while you are outside.

Closing Thoughts

This is one of the nicer Centurion lounges I have visited, and I recommend it over other lounges in Atlanta. I really enjoyed the terrace, nature, and whiskey bar. The location of the lounge in the gate area is a bit strange, but likely more so for people waiting at the gate to depart.