We’re seeing credit card issuers invest in airport lounges like never before, including Amex Centurion Lounges, Capital One Lounges, and Chase Sapphire Lounges. Chase has just revealed yet another location for its airport lounge network, and it’s an airport that desperately needs more non-airline lounges.
Basics of the Chase Sapphire Lounge LAX TBIT
The Los Angeles Times reports on how a Chase Sapphire Lounge will be opening at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The 9,234 square foot lounge will be located in Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT), near gate 148, in the central part of the concourse. That’s a fairly small lounge given the amount of demand, but then again, space in airports is tough to come by.
No timeline has been given for when the lounge will open. Since construction hasn’t even started, I suspect it will take at least one to two years, best case scenario, so get ready to be patient.
The first rendering of the lounge looks gorgeous. What stands out the most about the lounge is that it has direct apron views, which is something that’s otherwise lacking from all other lounges in the main part of the terminal.
Chase Sapphire Lounges have an amazing soft product, with delicious food and drinks, and great service. So far the US locations for Chase Sapphire Lounges include Boston (BOS), New York (JFK), New York (LGA), and Washington (IAD), though several more are being developed.
It’s a real mystery to me what space this new Chase Sapphire Lounge will be taking up. All the lounges in the terminal are otherwise above or below the concourse, and don’t have views (like the Qantas Lounge, Amex Centurion Lounge, etc.). Just for some context on the location of gate 148, you can see it on the below map, with the red box around it.
I’m curious, will the lounge be replacing some of the retail space on the concourse level? Or is there a secret space in this area that maybe leads down a level, to more lounge space? Perhaps it’ll be on the same level as the Amex Centurion Lounge, but just closer to the edge of the terminal? Does anyone know what’s currently in the space marked as “50” on the map?
Below is the Google Maps area for this part of the concourse. I believe the staircase and escalator lead to the immigration facility from the gate, but maybe there’s more space there?
Anyway, bonus points to any sleuth who can figure out exactly where this lounge will be, for those of us who are super geeky.
This development is long overdue for LAX!
While LAX has a good number of airline lounges, the airport lacks credit card and Priority Pass lounges. Currently, the only credit card lounge is the Amex Centurion Lounge. Then there are no traditional Priority Pass lounges at the airport, which is quite disappointing.
In the coming weeks we’ll see the Air France Lounge LAX open, which will also be located in TBIT, but in the Midfield Satellite Concourse. It remains to be seen whether that will be accessible through Priority Pass — other North American lounges from Air France-KLM are, so hopefully this is as well.
While it’s kind of frustrating how heavily concentrated lounges are at TBIT, the good news is that all terminals at LAX are now connected airside, so you’ll be able to access this lounge regardless of which terminal you fly out of. However, depending on the terminal you’re departing from, it could be a long walk.
Bottom line
A Chase Sapphire Lounge will be coming to LAX Tom Bradley International Terminal. The lounge will be over 9,200 square feet, and will be located in the central part of the terminal. I’m thrilled to see more credit card lounges coming to LAX. Unfortunately don’t expect this lounge to open anytime soon, as construction hasn’t even started.
What do you make of plans for the Chase Sapphire Lounge LAX?
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