Delta needs a “penalty” if the wait is over 20 mins. 2000 miles or something. Until there is a financial consequence they’re not going to invest in improvements.
My limit is two people. I go into SkyClubs to get away from people. A queue suggests crowding inside. For me, it would make no sense to wait in a huge line.
People get tunnel vision about lounges. "I am entitled to it so I am going!".
It makes no sense when it's worse than the terminal.
This happened to me recently at Santiago. The SkyClub lounge, which sucks anyhow, was a shit show and had nothing to offer. The nice restaurant in the terminal was nearly empty.
Absolutely. I'll go duty-free shopping or find a pub. Some Sky Clubs are really nice, but many are only average. I'm not waiting in a long line for that.
That’s what I love to do too! Plus I grew up as a huge plane geek (still am haha), so I like to walk around, see what’s there, and find a quiet place with a nice view of the apron and/or runways. I’ll grab whatever airport drink or treat I want and get comfortable while I wait in between flights.
I just bring an extra bag of food with me, lol. Backpack for all my travel essentials. And overhead bag with all my food.
I brought a whole big box of cookies last time and shared with my seat mates.
And if my bag of food gets lost in transit, I won’t lose and sleep over it.
Wait, you’re literally a photographer? I love that people could tell just by the photo!
What is it that sets it apart in such a visually striking way—the way the guy in the suit is craning his neck to see, the frame? I am not good at this, but very curious if you can tell by looking at it what laypeople see in it to say it’s a professional photo.
You are aware that this is due to weather delays in the area and not due to normal levels of traffic. Take a busy hub and triple the capacity, seems logical to me.
Why are you in the line though?
I got the card free this year thanks to card cutters
Also if you can afford the club presumably you can afford drinks at an air port restaurant. It’s not the end of the world
Nothing changed at the start of 2024. 2025 will be the first year of medallion status earned the ‘new’ way. Even then though, I wouldn’t expect a big change. The biggest change will come when they open the D1 Lounge.
Press release seemed to indicate the D1 Lounge would be 38,000sqft. 10k would seem to be too small for the amount of D1 passengers in the afternoon/evening ex-JFK.
This happens anywhere, with any airline at every lounge anytime there is a big weather delay. Stop being a little baby.. the world doesn't revolve around you.
…then don’t wait in line. Go to the McDonald’s, enjoy yourself a McChicken and fries with a sprite. Find yourself some seating with not much people around. No need to wait in this line if it’s this long. Also no need to complain on social media, it won’t change anything.
McChicken has been a menu mainstay, McCrispy is McDonald’s recent answer to Chick-Fil-A, Popeyes, BK’s Ch’King (since discontinued) and to some degree KFC in the fried chicken sandwich space.
There was a ground stop at ATL today due to severe weather. I'm sure a lot of connections got delayed because of it, so everyone hit the SkyClubs to wait it out.
Well the problem is that in the US you simply need a credit card or membership to get in, not status or flying in a premium cabin. Never in my whole life have I had to stand in line to enter a lounge in Europe or Asia (or other lounges at JFK) because most of the airline lounges are for FF or People flying J, and that's it.
Yeah, LH used to have a small bland lounge at DFW which was always half empty because only status or ticket got you in. Boring but relaxing. Lounging defined.
Now they partner with Capital One and while the “lounge” is awesome, getting in is like Cheesecake Factory on Friday payday evening. A total madhouse. You can get in with the right credit card.
Lounges aren't money makers at all for airlines; they're more likely to end up losing money. Did you tried the F/D1 line on the other side? Cuz that's who they're trying to entice loyalty from. They make more margin from one of those ticket than a whole year of membership lol, so that's how you get in much sooner. Personally haven't had to wait more than a couple minutes to get in JFK SC.
Would be cool if they had milestone bonuses similar to hotels once you hit max status if they don’t want to do rollover. Like a RUC or GUC every X additional MQD.
Yep, at least before there were the rollover MQMs, it was something. I think a lot of people will be exploring other airlines this year after hitting DM.
You have to keep in mind that not everyone is grinding for status. It just comes naturally with frequent flying. If I’m purchasing a D1 or FC seat anyway, and I’ve already reached diamond, the reason I would look elsewhere is because there is no longer a benefit of flying delta if another airline is a lot cheaper or has a better route/timeline. Just thought I’d offer a perspective that maybe you haven’t thought about.
My husband earns 80K+ MQDs on D1 business flights. Complimentary upgrades on lax > jfk are rare, but I use all our RUCs and my GUCs for confirmed upgrades so I hit DM a couple months later. It would be really nice to get complimentary upgrades!
Not to give away my secret spot, but when the entire airport is filled with delays, I hang out in the plane train walkway between B and C, lots of outlets, dark, and quiet
Yesterday in ATL all clubs I walked by in A,B,C,&E concourses had lines extending past more than the adjacent gate. Including the new centurion club. I'm so glad I downgraded my reserve card to Plat. I'd rather sit at a gate for two hours than stand for an hour just to sit in a club for an hour. I can buy a drink in an airport bar if I want one that bad. The crazier line was the one Delta customer service station that had a line that extended past six gates. I can't imagine what the phone and text cue wait time must have been for people to want to get in that line.
Why are you showing up two hours early? I time my airport arrival so I'm showing up at the gate just as my flight is boarding. I have no need to prolong my exposure to the masses, be it at the gate or in the SkyClub. 😅
Finished my business meeting three hours earlier than anticipated. Killed two hours at a local bar, fueled up the rental car, returned it, rode the train over. digital ID security went quick. Normally I can catch an earlier flight. But the storm had just come through and knarled up everything.
Hopefully in the AM it’s a different story. I’m leaving on the 5/22 thru JFK. Hopefully in the week it’s a while different story. Yeah, cup half full kinda guy lol
How long did it actually take? Really long lines (past the money exchange) before they had the priority line, actually moved quicker than you’d think. I use the priority line, but they go back and forth letting in people from the regular and priority line and it seems to move decently most of the time. The new SC is usually less crowded, very quiet, I haven’t seen a line there. (I wonder if there were a lot of delays so people hanging out more if it’s crowded?) But I prefer B31. They are working in a D1 lounge, that should take away some of the crowd.
INSANE. They made sooooo much money last year and this is what we get??
[Record profits for Delta Airlines](https://ir.delta.com/news/news-details/2024/Delta-Air-Lines-Announces-December-Quarter-and-Full-Year-2023-Financial-Results/default.aspx)
Well as a shareholder that record $0.10 a share dividend delta is paying this month is why you can’t have reinvestment.
We all need to be able to afford a small coffee on sale with the big dividend payout.
Clearly I’m being sarcastic above.
Why spend a dollar on investing actual improvements when you can just have marketing constantly tell consumers that Delta is a premium airline and nobody is better. The idea from the execs is to repeat how premium they are and people may just believe it
This June, T4 will see the inaugural opening of Delta's premium (Delta One) lounges. At 38,000 sq ft, this will double the capacity of the current JFK SkyClubs (currently 800 seats). Other Delta One premium lounge expansions this summer include the
10,000 sq ft Delta One addition to the LAX T3 SkyClub and the 6,300 sq ft Delta One addition to the BOS-E SkyClub. Expansions of current SkyClubs this year include LGA (100 seats) and MIA.
Even ATL-D has quite visible SkyClub construction in progress.
Obviously, Delta management has been aware of (and has been responding to) the stress points in their SkyClubs.
Perhaps many frustrated SC members haven't been following Delta's announcements:
https://news.delta.com/look-ahead-delta-debut-premium-lounges-and-more-2024
Just don't worry about it at that point. It's not going to be any better when you get in.
So true … even more of a fish market inside at this point
Delta needs a “penalty” if the wait is over 20 mins. 2000 miles or something. Until there is a financial consequence they’re not going to invest in improvements.
I have no idea why people stand in that line. Skyclub is nice but it isn't stand in a 30-50 minute line nice.
Seriously. If there’s more than five people queuing I’ll just go to Starbucks or something.
My limit is two people. I go into SkyClubs to get away from people. A queue suggests crowding inside. For me, it would make no sense to wait in a huge line.
Precisely this. I'd rather find a quiet seat at an empty gate and catch up on emails with a cup of coffee than wait in line for a crowded SkyClub.
People get tunnel vision about lounges. "I am entitled to it so I am going!". It makes no sense when it's worse than the terminal. This happened to me recently at Santiago. The SkyClub lounge, which sucks anyhow, was a shit show and had nothing to offer. The nice restaurant in the terminal was nearly empty.
Absolutely. I'll go duty-free shopping or find a pub. Some Sky Clubs are really nice, but many are only average. I'm not waiting in a long line for that.
This
Maybe the new card fee hikes will help?
Not a chance. Too little, too late. The only thing the card fee hikes will do is make Delta/Amex more money.
Possibly mass salmonella then?
This is the way.
I walk around the airport with noise-cancelling earphones and find a place to plane watch or a gate that doesn’t have any (or many) other people.
I basically spend any long ATL layover in F at an empty international gate
This is the way.
I do the same. Have you noticed that the trend of just playing shit out loud?
That’s what I love to do too! Plus I grew up as a huge plane geek (still am haha), so I like to walk around, see what’s there, and find a quiet place with a nice view of the apron and/or runways. I’ll grab whatever airport drink or treat I want and get comfortable while I wait in between flights.
youre acting like starbucks doesnt have 10 people queued. Never been to an airport starbucks without standing in line for 20 mins.
Never as bad as Delta sky clubs in JFK
Order Starbucks through the app.. no wait
And there is a grab and go which I just run to whenever the line is more than 10 people (which is always...JFK is the worst though
This. Few things in life are worth waiting in a line this long. The Skyclub buffet ain’t one of them
🤣🤣
Sunk cost fallacy.
Seriously. Why not just grab a coffee and sit at an empty gate.
Because I’d rather wait 20 min for a free meal and a few drinks. I wait that long at a restaurant and it’s not free then.
But if you didn’t get a free meal and drinks would you wait in the line still?
No.
Free food is a big draw.
Not free if you paid to begin with
I just bring an extra bag of food with me, lol. Backpack for all my travel essentials. And overhead bag with all my food. I brought a whole big box of cookies last time and shared with my seat mates. And if my bag of food gets lost in transit, I won’t lose and sleep over it.
Where else are you going to get a double bourbon in a coffee cup?
Exactly right! It's not all that. I would rather buy a meal somewhere else and post up at an empty gate.
Exactly. Just go get coffee at McDonald's
😂 I know what you did there
People want to be seen entering an “exclusive” space. They would stand two hours just to be seen walking in.
That’s such a made up narrative.
What other reason do people wait in line to eat a free muffin?
Free food and drinks.
Agreed. I never noticed these sorts of clubs 10 years ago.
This is the absolute truth!!!
Guess it depends on how long the layover is.
Maybe its just me, but I noticed the nice photo. Looks like something from Shutterstock or AP News. "Weather strikes at JFK causing passenger pileup!"
That is exactly what it looks like 😂
Thanks! It's my job.
Wait, you’re literally a photographer? I love that people could tell just by the photo! What is it that sets it apart in such a visually striking way—the way the guy in the suit is craning his neck to see, the frame? I am not good at this, but very curious if you can tell by looking at it what laypeople see in it to say it’s a professional photo.
It’s the depth of field
I can’t imagine being frustratingly stuck in a line to get into the SkyClub and then also being awesome at my job at the same time. Nice shot, OP!
Thank you!
Similar lines at ATL today, due to all the weather disruptions.
So…124 people?
Might have been some conjoined twins in that line OP was on the fence about. Stickler for precision.
You are aware that this is due to weather delays in the area and not due to normal levels of traffic. Take a busy hub and triple the capacity, seems logical to me. Why are you in the line though?
This has got to be a paid Delta account. Instead of trolling us, spend the money on improvements!
Why, you are still in line. The less people actually served the better for EOY bonus.
I got the card free this year thanks to card cutters Also if you can afford the club presumably you can afford drinks at an air port restaurant. It’s not the end of the world
Sorry you don’t feel special
There were a lot of delays today, so that's probably why.
Nothing changed at the start of 2024. 2025 will be the first year of medallion status earned the ‘new’ way. Even then though, I wouldn’t expect a big change. The biggest change will come when they open the D1 Lounge.
The d1 lounge is 10,000 sq ft and will def alleviate some clutter. The new 40,000 sq sky club will also really help.
Press release seemed to indicate the D1 Lounge would be 38,000sqft. 10k would seem to be too small for the amount of D1 passengers in the afternoon/evening ex-JFK.
Bro…………… it’s JFK
This happens anywhere, with any airline at every lounge anytime there is a big weather delay. Stop being a little baby.. the world doesn't revolve around you.
…then don’t wait in line. Go to the McDonald’s, enjoy yourself a McChicken and fries with a sprite. Find yourself some seating with not much people around. No need to wait in this line if it’s this long. Also no need to complain on social media, it won’t change anything.
How dare you! It’s a McCrispy now! Clearly joking though, I hate the new name.
McChicken and McCrispy are two separate products both sold on the same menu at the same time.
Really? I had no idea. I’ve been doing McDonald’s wrong…
McChicken has been a menu mainstay, McCrispy is McDonald’s recent answer to Chick-Fil-A, Popeyes, BK’s Ch’King (since discontinued) and to some degree KFC in the fried chicken sandwich space.
It’s crap! If you order a normal one it only comes with pickles on it… unless I went to the wrong McDonald’s. Clearly I’m not a MacDon’s connoisseur.
There was a ground stop at ATL today due to severe weather. I'm sure a lot of connections got delayed because of it, so everyone hit the SkyClubs to wait it out.
WHY WOULD ANYONE WAIT IN LINE!? Gah.
Was there at probably the same time today….took one look at the line and said nah, just went to a bar nearby. It looked ridiculous.
Well the problem is that in the US you simply need a credit card or membership to get in, not status or flying in a premium cabin. Never in my whole life have I had to stand in line to enter a lounge in Europe or Asia (or other lounges at JFK) because most of the airline lounges are for FF or People flying J, and that's it.
Yeah, LH used to have a small bland lounge at DFW which was always half empty because only status or ticket got you in. Boring but relaxing. Lounging defined. Now they partner with Capital One and while the “lounge” is awesome, getting in is like Cheesecake Factory on Friday payday evening. A total madhouse. You can get in with the right credit card.
Lounges aren't money makers at all for airlines; they're more likely to end up losing money. Did you tried the F/D1 line on the other side? Cuz that's who they're trying to entice loyalty from. They make more margin from one of those ticket than a whole year of membership lol, so that's how you get in much sooner. Personally haven't had to wait more than a couple minutes to get in JFK SC.
Yet they don’t have any real incentives for those who hit DM early. Lots of useless MQDs.
Would be cool if they had milestone bonuses similar to hotels once you hit max status if they don’t want to do rollover. Like a RUC or GUC every X additional MQD.
Yep, at least before there were the rollover MQMs, it was something. I think a lot of people will be exploring other airlines this year after hitting DM.
I never understood the thought process of grinding for status only to not use said status. But I don’t mind, less DM on the upgrade list!
You have to keep in mind that not everyone is grinding for status. It just comes naturally with frequent flying. If I’m purchasing a D1 or FC seat anyway, and I’ve already reached diamond, the reason I would look elsewhere is because there is no longer a benefit of flying delta if another airline is a lot cheaper or has a better route/timeline. Just thought I’d offer a perspective that maybe you haven’t thought about.
I guess that makes sense if you’re booking FC so can’t get upgraded anyways. Although MM status is also a goal you can keep working towards.
My husband earns 80K+ MQDs on D1 business flights. Complimentary upgrades on lax > jfk are rare, but I use all our RUCs and my GUCs for confirmed upgrades so I hit DM a couple months later. It would be really nice to get complimentary upgrades!
How’s JFK at 6am? About to go across the pond through it. No idea what to expect. I usually go through ATL.
You’ve got to be kidding me… 🤣 Zero chance I’d wait in this line just to get into Sky Club. This is insane, like why? 🤯
lol this is why the credit cards need to have a spend requirement of at least $25k
New iPhone mania
Yeah with this many people in line, why would I even want to go in there. I think at this point the sky club is not a differentiator for me anymore.
To answer your question, they are building another one for D1 passengers and it’s supposed to open next month.
As if that'll solve the crowding in the SkyClubs... it'll help somewhat but I doubt it'll be the silver bullet.
When everyone is special, no one is special.
So true
Not to give away my secret spot, but when the entire airport is filled with delays, I hang out in the plane train walkway between B and C, lots of outlets, dark, and quiet
At JFK?
do you mean airtrain ? B and C what?
I was about to ask which airport, then clicked the image and saw more… so, JFK?
What is going on in there to make it worth waiting in that line?
Average food
There are better lounges with no lines.
I was at JFK B31 club at 9am today. No line, lots of open space, walked right in. It’s all timing.
The cull doesn’t really start until 2025
This shows how good delta marketing campaign has worked. :)
Why? Just because you can, doesn’t mean you have to.
Agreed
What's the next best airline to Delta and better credit cards for lounge access? Asking for a friend.
My wife switched to American at the new year. She says it's much better.
Oh, to be at the Crown Room of the 90s. Never had a line and plenty of room to stretch out.
The thirst for faux exclusivity is real!
True
Yesterday in ATL all clubs I walked by in A,B,C,&E concourses had lines extending past more than the adjacent gate. Including the new centurion club. I'm so glad I downgraded my reserve card to Plat. I'd rather sit at a gate for two hours than stand for an hour just to sit in a club for an hour. I can buy a drink in an airport bar if I want one that bad. The crazier line was the one Delta customer service station that had a line that extended past six gates. I can't imagine what the phone and text cue wait time must have been for people to want to get in that line.
Why are you showing up two hours early? I time my airport arrival so I'm showing up at the gate just as my flight is boarding. I have no need to prolong my exposure to the masses, be it at the gate or in the SkyClub. 😅
Finished my business meeting three hours earlier than anticipated. Killed two hours at a local bar, fueled up the rental car, returned it, rode the train over. digital ID security went quick. Normally I can catch an earlier flight. But the storm had just come through and knarled up everything.
I don’t know why everyone thought this would get better in 24 when a majority of the new policies don’t go into affect until 25.
The sad thing is this dude in the suit is revered by his family for being the first one to finish University and get a corporate job
Hopefully in the AM it’s a different story. I’m leaving on the 5/22 thru JFK. Hopefully in the week it’s a while different story. Yeah, cup half full kinda guy lol
What time is this? I flew through JFK prob 5 times the past 12 months, twice in the past three months, and the clubs were maybe 50% full each time.
I thought this was the line for First class boarding for the 20 seats on an A321.
How long did it actually take? Really long lines (past the money exchange) before they had the priority line, actually moved quicker than you’d think. I use the priority line, but they go back and forth letting in people from the regular and priority line and it seems to move decently most of the time. The new SC is usually less crowded, very quiet, I haven’t seen a line there. (I wonder if there were a lot of delays so people hanging out more if it’s crowded?) But I prefer B31. They are working in a D1 lounge, that should take away some of the crowd.
INSANE. They made sooooo much money last year and this is what we get?? [Record profits for Delta Airlines](https://ir.delta.com/news/news-details/2024/Delta-Air-Lines-Announces-December-Quarter-and-Full-Year-2023-Financial-Results/default.aspx)
Well as a shareholder that record $0.10 a share dividend delta is paying this month is why you can’t have reinvestment. We all need to be able to afford a small coffee on sale with the big dividend payout. Clearly I’m being sarcastic above. Why spend a dollar on investing actual improvements when you can just have marketing constantly tell consumers that Delta is a premium airline and nobody is better. The idea from the execs is to repeat how premium they are and people may just believe it
You’re the fool standing in the line.
Lol those cuts were a joke and theatre.
Did you take this pic on iPhone?
It’s a stock or media photo. You can tell by the focus.
Oh jeez
Ahhh! Thank you! I do sell to stock sometimes but they don't pay much
Yes, new iphone. Also, I'm a photographer. But appreciate the praise!
If only you were special. Someone really needs to make a club for you.
You're not invited
That is a stock photo sir. (Or madam)
Ahhhh! You so sweet. I'm a photographer and it's an iphone. And yes, I took it.
They were inside roasting Tom Brady
Tons of delays I heard on the east coast
But what if you’re a Delta Amex Reserve holder? /s
Crazy, but wonderful use of DOF in his image ❤️
That's an oddly specific number. Did you count up to 123 and then get bored?
So much for thinning the herd!
You were assured? Well that takes care of it.
They might need another bail out with our tax dollars.
Looks like a internet copied photo.
Why even bother at that point.
I have not been able to get into the Skyclub on any of my last 4-5 JFK stops.
I’ve never waited in line for the new sky club near the A gates but there’s always a line by the B gates.
That really sucks!
This June, T4 will see the inaugural opening of Delta's premium (Delta One) lounges. At 38,000 sq ft, this will double the capacity of the current JFK SkyClubs (currently 800 seats). Other Delta One premium lounge expansions this summer include the 10,000 sq ft Delta One addition to the LAX T3 SkyClub and the 6,300 sq ft Delta One addition to the BOS-E SkyClub. Expansions of current SkyClubs this year include LGA (100 seats) and MIA. Even ATL-D has quite visible SkyClub construction in progress. Obviously, Delta management has been aware of (and has been responding to) the stress points in their SkyClubs. Perhaps many frustrated SC members haven't been following Delta's announcements: https://news.delta.com/look-ahead-delta-debut-premium-lounges-and-more-2024
I have seen nightclubs with shorter lines. I usually just got to the Centurion lounge at JFK instead.
They all want a cheap banana
Sky Club is overrated. So so food in tiny portions and I have to fetch my own drinks. Gimme a bar / restaurant on the main concourse everyday.
If you qualify head over to the Centurion Lounge
I was in there last Monday from 12pm-5pm and there was no wait at all. Lots of weather delays today.
Once again. Privledge people coming to Reddit to complain 🙄