Delta Restricts Sky Club Access for Departures, Ends It for Arrivals

Delta has announced negative changes to access rules for its Sky Club lounges. Soon a time limit of three hours before departure will be introduced, and no more lounge access after arrival.

Beginning June 1, 2022, guests will be able to access Clubs anytime within 3 hours of their scheduled departure time, Delta says in the announcement. This is similar to the rules American Express has for its Centurion lounges. Flight delays or interruptions will not affect your Club access, as long as you enter the Club within three hours of the originally scheduled departure time.

This new rule doesn’t apply to connecting customers who will have access to Sky Clubs at any time prior to departure, even if that departure is after more than three hours.

Another negative change will affect arriving passengers. With the exception of arriving Delta One customers, Club access will be unavailable for arriving customers without a connection. Note that a same-day round-trip does not qualify as a connection. Customers will only be able to access Clubs within 3 hours of their scheduled departure flight and within 3 hours of their return flight.

These changes also apply to the two one-time Guest Passes Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Reserve Business American Express Cards Members receive each year upon renewal of their Card. But, Delta 360 members are exempt from these changes that will go into effect on June 1st.

The company says its “priority is to balance the popularity of the Delta Sky Club experience with the premium atmosphere and service we wish to provide for our guests.” This is a permanent change to the Delta Sky Club policy, the company notes in the announcement. Delta also confirmed today the launch of Delta One lounges with the first two locations at JFK and LAX.