How to Pick the Best Delta Sky Club at Atlanta Airport (ATL)

by joeheg

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the world’s busiest airport. And since Delta is headquartered in Atlanta (and ATL is its primary hub), a huge chunk of Delta’s East Coast connecting traffic flows through here.

Because of the number of passengers flying with Delta who are departing or connecting in Atlanta, Delta has multiple Sky Club locations spread across ATL’s concourses. Since all the concourses are connected past security, passengers can visit any Delta Sky Club if they meet the entry requirements.

If you’re looking for a Sky Club to visit in Atlanta, which one would be the best choice?

Location

The Sky Club you choose depends on how much time you have before your flight. If you have less than an hour, visit the Sky Club nearest to your gate.

  • Concourse A:
    • Near Gate A17
    • Above P.F. Chang’s in the central concourse
  • Concourse B:
    • Near Gate B18
  • Concourse C:
    • Near Gate C37
  • Concourse D:
    • Near Gate D12
    • Near Gate D27
    • Centerpoint / near Gate D18 (Delta’s newer club — worth a look if you’re departing from D and have time)
  • Concourse E:
    • Across from Gate E15 (Showers at select locations—check the Fly Delta app listing)
  • Concourse F:
    • On the Mezzanine Level (Showers at select locations—check the Fly Delta app listing; outdoor Sky Deck)
  • Concourse T:
    • Near Gate T6

Our flight was departing from Concourse A, so we initially attempted to go to the Sky Club located in the central concourse just above P.F. Chang’s. However, due to maintenance work on the escalator at the time, a Delta representative informed us that while the club was accessible, we should allow extra time due to elevator lines.

Instead, we headed for the other Sky Club in Concourse A near Gate A17.

a backpack in a room with chairs and a man standing behind it

This Sky Club felt entirely average. It had two food stations serving the same buffet and ample seating on two levels with varying layouts. The bar was good-sized for the size of the room. We were there for less than an hour, which was enough time to grab a drink, get some food, and take a bathroom break before heading to our gate.

Timing

If you have extra time, you can be pickier. When I had a few hours to spend in the Sky Club, I went to the location in Concourse B, which has long been one of the larger clubs in ATL.

This is a much larger lounge than the one in Concourse A and consists of a single large room.

a group of people sitting in a room

The space was comfortable, but the noise level increased as more people filled in. The lack of distinct areas made it feel like a convention hall. In contrast, Delta’s newer lounges in LGA and MSP are designed to divide the space into smaller areas within one large space, which feels a lot more comfortable when the lounge gets busy.

Time of Year

I wouldn’t often consider the weather outside when deciding which lounge to visit, but the Sky Club in Concourse F has an outdoor Sky Deck. You’d have to be there when the weather in Atlanta isn’t too cold or hot to make it enjoyable to sit outside.

Crowds

Even with multiple lounges at ATL, Delta Sky Club locations can still have long lines to enter. If one lounge is full, you may be able to go to a different one with a shorter wait. Travelers can use the Fly Delta app for a real-time club occupancy tracker (and to confirm current locations and amenities).

Additional Options

Besides the Delta Sky Club, there are plenty of other options at Atlanta airport for spending time.

  • Explore gates E15–E18 or other less busy concourses for a quieter environment.
  • Gate areas at the ends of concourses are typically less crowded.
  • Centurion Lounge: Located in Concourse E (near E11). Access is available to eligible American Express cardholders.
  • The Club at ATL: A common-use lounge option for travelers who have access through certain lounge programs/memberships.
  • A notable seating area in Concourse C provides comfort even without lounge access.
  • One Flew South: A standout among airport restaurants. It’s in Concourse E and features sushi, cocktails, and Southern-inspired dishes.

Final Thought

With multiple Delta Sky Clubs in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, passengers have plenty of choices. Unless you have an extended stay, I’d recommend just going to the club nearest to your gate. While there are differences between the clubs, most aren’t worth the extra hike across the airport—especially if you’re cutting it close.

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