Quick Answer

LAX has more lounges than any U.S. airport outside the major hub triumvirate, but quality varies wildly. The three worth a detour: Qantas First (TBIT, oneworld first-class only), United Polaris (Terminal 7, Polaris ticket only), and the Centurion Lounge in TBIT (Amex Platinum). The new Chase Sapphire Lounge in TBIT, which opened in late 2025, sits just below that tier and is the best access option for Sapphire Reserve and Ritz-Carlton cardholders.

This guide ranks every lounge accessible at LAX as of May 2026, with access mechanics, realistic wait times, and the cards that make each option work.

How LAX terminals are laid out (and why it matters)

LAX has nine terminals: Terminals 1 through 8 and the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT, sometimes called Terminal B). Post-security connections between terminals exist for most pairings, but they involve buses, long walks, or both. Before you pick a lounge, confirm two things: which terminal your flight departs from, and whether the lounge you want is reachable airside without re-clearing security.

Quick reference for the major lounge clusters:

  • TBIT: Qantas First, Qantas International Business, Star Alliance Lounge, Oneworld Lounge (Cathay/JAL), Korean Air, Centurion Lounge, Chase Sapphire Lounge, KAL Lounge.
  • Terminal 7/8: United Polaris, United Club.
  • Terminal 4/5: American Airlines Flagship Lounge, Admirals Club, Delta Sky Club (T2/T3 after the recent move).
  • Terminal 6: Alaska Lounge.
  • Terminal 1: Southwest does not operate a lounge; this is the only major terminal without quality lounge access.

The connector between Terminals 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 is open airside, so American and United flyers have more options than they realize. TBIT connects airside to Terminals 4 and 5 via underground walkways. Plan your lounge choice based on your gate, not just your airline.

Premium tier: the three lounges worth a detour

Qantas First Lounge (TBIT)

The best lounge at LAX, and one of the best in North America. Designed by Marc Newson, with a Neil Perry restaurant menu, full table service, hot food made to order, and a spa offering complimentary massages and facials.

Access: Qantas First passengers, oneworld Emerald status holders flying any oneworld international flight in any cabin, and select Qantas Business passengers on specific routes. American Airlines Executive Platinum (oneworld Emerald) gets in when flying internationally on a oneworld carrier.

Reality check: This is not accessible with any credit card. It is purely a status and ticket play. If you have the access, build extra airport time around it.

United Polaris Lounge (Terminal 7)

The U.S. flagship lounge tier done right. Sit-down restaurant with proper menus, daybeds, showers with Soho House toiletries, and an espresso bar. The food is genuinely good rather than airline-buffet good.

Access: Same-day United Polaris business class ticket on an international flight, or Star Alliance partner business class on a qualifying international itinerary. United domestic first does not qualify. Star Alliance Gold status does not qualify.

Reality check: Polaris access does not extend to the standard United Club. You cannot enter Polaris with a Chase United Club Infinite card alone. You need the Polaris ticket.

Centurion Lounge (TBIT)

The flagship Amex Centurion location on the West Coast, expanded in 2024 to roughly double its original footprint. Two-story space, full bar, hot food stations, family room, and a wellness area.

Access: Amex Platinum cardholders (personal or business), Centurion Card, and Delta Reserve cardholders flying Delta same-day. Guest policies tightened in 2023: Platinum holders pay $50 per adult guest unless they hit $75,000 in annual spend.

Reality check: Capacity is the issue. Saturday afternoons and Sunday evenings, the queue runs 30 to 90 minutes. Arrive at LAX three hours early if Centurion is your plan.

Excellent airline lounges

American Airlines Flagship Lounge (Terminal 4)

Premium tier for AA's long-haul cabin and top-status flyers. Full bar with proper bartenders, hot food stations, and shower suites. Flagship First Dining (the separately accessed sit-down restaurant) is subject to current operations; AA has rotated this in and out of service over the past two years, so confirm status before arrival if it is the deciding factor.

Access: Flagship First/Business ticket on a qualifying international or transcontinental flight, oneworld Emerald or Sapphire on qualifying flights, ConciergeKey. AAdvantage Executive Platinum on a domestic flight does not qualify. The Citi or Barclays AAdvantage cards do not grant access.

Delta Sky Club (Terminals 2 and 3)

Delta moved Sky Club operations during the LAX terminal consolidation. The current Sky Club is a solid airline lounge, not destination dining, but it does the job: drinks, snacks, decent seating.

Access: Same-day Delta first/business class ticket, Delta One ticket, Delta Reserve cardholder (with a same-day Delta flight, after the 2023 policy change that added the flight requirement), Amex Platinum on a same-day Delta flight only, SkyTeam Elite Plus.

The Amex Platinum and Delta Reserve rule changes in 2023 cut Sky Club crowding, but they also mean the card-access play is narrower than it used to be. If you mostly fly non-Delta, the Delta Reserve is harder to justify. See our Amex Platinum vs Delta Reserve breakdown for the math.

Good value: solid lounges with practical access

Star Alliance Lounge (TBIT)

Outdoor terrace overlooking the runway, hot food, full bar. One of the more pleasant TBIT spaces, and almost never as crowded as the Centurion or Chase Sapphire Lounge next door.

Access: Star Alliance international business class ticket departing LAX, Star Alliance Gold flying internationally on a Star carrier. United domestic flights do not qualify.

Air France-KLM Lounge (TBIT)

Smaller, quieter, and the food is better than its reputation suggests. SkyTeam Elite Plus or business class on a SkyTeam international flight gets you in. Delta domestic flights do not qualify.

Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse (TBIT)

The smallest of the premium-feeling lounges, but a genuine standout for design and service. Hot food made to order, full bar, and rarely crowded because access is tightly restricted to Virgin Upper Class and qualifying partner business class passengers.

Limited but useful

Alaska Lounge (Terminal 6)

Recently renovated, with Alaska's signature pancake machine and a barista bar that's better than most airline lounges. Small but pleasant.

Access: Alaska Lounge+ membership (around $695/year), Alaska MVP Gold 75K, Alaska or oneworld international business class on a qualifying flight. The Alaska Visa Signature gets you discounted day passes, not free access.

This is the best option in Terminal 6 by a wide margin. If you're connecting through LAX on Alaska, this is your lounge.

Korean Air KAL Lounge (TBIT)

Functional rather than impressive. Worth knowing about because it accepts Priority Pass during specific hours when other TBIT options are at capacity, but expect a queue.

The Chase Sapphire Lounge update

The Chase Sapphire Lounge in TBIT opened in late 2025 after the construction delays that pushed it past the original 2024 target. As of May 2026 it is operational, though Chase has been rolling out features in phases. Confirm current amenities on the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club app before you go.

Access: Chase Sapphire Reserve (cardholder plus two guests), Ritz-Carlton Card (cardholder plus two guests), J.P. Morgan Reserve. The Sapphire Preferred does not get you in.

Reality check: This lounge took on most of the overflow demand that used to crush Centurion at TBIT. Wait times in its first six months ran 20 to 45 minutes on peak days. By spring 2026, capacity has settled, but Friday evenings and weekend mornings still queue. The food program is strong (proper sit-down dining, not a buffet) and the cocktail bar is one of the best in any airport lounge in the country.

If you're a Sapphire Reserve holder choosing between Centurion (no longer accessible on Sapphire Reserve) and the Chase Sapphire Lounge, the Sapphire Lounge is now your default. For the full card breakdown, see our Chase Sapphire Reserve review.

Priority Pass at LAX: the reality check

Priority Pass at LAX is functional but never quite what cardholders hope it will be. The participating lounges include KAL Lounge, Korean Air Lounge, and a rotating list of restaurant credits.

The restaurant credits: Several LAX restaurants honor a Priority Pass meal credit (usually $30 per visit), including Rock & Brews in Terminal 1 and various TBIT spots. This is often the better use of a Priority Pass at LAX than chasing a packed lounge.

The lounge wait times: Peak hours at LAX Priority Pass lounges routinely run 45 to 90 minute queues. The KAL Lounge, in particular, gets overwhelmed when international banks of flights depart in waves.

For Priority Pass strategy across the major issuer cards, see our best credit cards for Priority Pass comparison.

Credit card access strategies

Three cards do most of the work for LAX lounge access:

Amex Platinum: Centurion Lounge (TBIT), Delta Sky Club when flying Delta same-day, Priority Pass select (no restaurants since the 2019 cut). Best card for TBIT departures and SkyTeam flyers.

Chase Sapphire Reserve: Chase Sapphire Lounge (TBIT), Priority Pass select including restaurants. Best card for the new Sapphire Lounge and Priority Pass restaurant credits. Pairs well with the rest of the Chase ecosystem; if you're building one, the Chase Quadfecta strategy covers the points multiplier setup.

Capital One Venture X: Capital One Lounge access (none at LAX yet, but the network is expanding), plus Priority Pass select with restaurants and guests included. We've covered the Capital One lounge network in our Capital One Lounge guide. The card itself (Capital One Venture X) is the best pure-value lounge card for LAX flyers who aren't loyal to a single airline.

For Amex Platinum holders specifically, the Amex travel insurance coverage layered on top of Platinum benefits is often the deciding factor over the Sapphire Reserve.

Day pass options

If you don't have lounge access through a card or ticket, day passes are available at:

  • Delta Sky Club: $50 for SkyMiles members on a same-day Delta flight.
  • United Club: $59 for MileagePlus members on a same-day United flight.
  • American Admirals Club: $59 day pass.
  • Alaska Lounge: $60 day pass on a same-day Alaska flight.
  • Star Alliance Lounge: Not available for purchase.
  • Centurion Lounge, Chase Sapphire Lounge, Qantas First, United Polaris: No day passes. Card or ticket only.

Day passes make sense for a long delay or a red-eye where you need a shower and a meal. For a typical 90-minute layover, the math rarely works.

Terminal-by-terminal quick guide

Terminal 1 (Southwest): No quality lounge. Closest options are bus connections, not worth it for a short layover.

Terminal 2/3 (Delta, JetBlue): Delta Sky Club. JetBlue passengers without status are out of luck.

Terminal 4 (American): Flagship Lounge (for those who qualify), Admirals Club. Connector to T5 through T8 and TBIT is airside.

Terminal 5 (American partners, some Delta): Admirals Club via T4 connection.

Terminal 6 (Alaska, some American): Alaska Lounge. Connector to T7/T8 and back to TBIT.

Terminal 7/8 (United): United Polaris (for Polaris ticket holders), United Club.

TBIT (International): The full premium roster: Qantas First, Star Alliance, Centurion, Chase Sapphire, Air France-KLM, Virgin Atlantic, Korean Air. The deepest concentration of quality lounges at LAX.

Lounge hopping strategy

Because the airside connectors at LAX work in most directions, lounge hopping is more realistic here than at most U.S. airports. Two strategies that work:

The TBIT crawl: If you have Centurion access plus Priority Pass, you can sample Centurion for cocktails, walk to the Star Alliance Lounge for the outdoor terrace, then head to KAL Lounge for a quiet workspace. All within a 10-minute walk.

The connector play: Departing from Terminal 4 or 5 on American? Walk to TBIT via the underground connector and use Centurion or Chase Sapphire Lounge instead of the Admirals Club. The walk is 12 to 15 minutes.

The catch: if you have a tight connection, lounge hopping eats your time. Plan it only when you have 2+ hours airside.

Maximizing tips

  • Arrive at LAX three hours early if you're targeting Centurion, Chase Sapphire Lounge, or any TBIT lounge on a Friday evening or Sunday afternoon. TSA lines at LAX are long and lounge queues compound that.
  • Use the Chase Sapphire Lounge or Centurion Lounge apps to check capacity and queue estimates before you walk over.
  • If you're checked in on Delta but holding an Amex Platinum, Sky Club entry requires that same-day Delta ticket.
  • Showers at Polaris, Centurion, and the AA Flagship are first-come, first-served on busy days. Ask the desk to put you on the list the moment you check in.

Common mistakes

Booking the wrong terminal. Checking your boarding pass and assuming Terminal 4 because you're flying American, when you're actually departing from TBIT on a codeshare, burns lounge time on a connector walk.

Counting on day passes for premium lounges. Centurion, Chase Sapphire, Polaris, and Qantas First do not sell day passes. If you don't have access, you're not getting in.

Treating Priority Pass as flagship access. Priority Pass at LAX is meant to bridge a gap, not deliver the experience of a Centurion or Polaris. Manage expectations and consider the restaurant credit option.

Skipping the Amex Platinum guest fee. Bringing two adults into Centurion without hitting the $75K spend threshold costs $100 in guest fees. Factor that into your card math.

Bottom line

LAX is one of the better U.S. airports for lounge access if you have the right card and the right ticket. The premium tier (Qantas First, United Polaris, Centurion, and the new Chase Sapphire Lounge) is genuinely competitive with international hubs. The middle tier of airline lounges does the job for status flyers. Priority Pass works but requires patience.

If you fly internationally from LAX more than a few times a year, an Amex Platinum or Chase Sapphire Reserve pays for itself in lounge access alone. If you're a domestic flyer, the math is harder; pick the card that aligns with the airline you fly most. And if you're flying through TBIT on a weekend, build in extra time: the lounges are excellent, but the queues are real.

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