Further Information
Most major carriers have one or more lounges in their hubs and focus cities as well as in the major airports they serve. The major US airlines–American (Admirals Club), Delta (SkyClub), United (United Club) and US Airways (US Airways Club)–operate dozens of clubs, while smaller airlines like Alaska (Board Room) tend to only operate a handful of clubs in their hub and focus cities. Virgin America does not have any of its own lounges, but allows first class passengers to use a Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, where available.
Many airlines outside North America and Australia do not sell lounge membership, reserving lounge access for elite frequent flyers and passengers in premium cabins. However, if one has a lounge membership in an airline in one of the three major airline alliances (Oneworld, SkyTeam and Star Alliance), they will sometimes have access in the lounges of the other members of that alliances. A Qantas Club membership provides access to British Airways and American Airlines lounges since all three carriers are members of Oneworld. A member of the US Airways Club can also access lounges of Air Canada, Air New Zealand and United, as all are Star Alliance members. Sometimes even non-alliance members will have agreements to allow usage of each other's lounges. Although Alaska Airlines operates just five Board Rooms, its members have access to Delta SkyClubs (and vice-versa). Board Room members cannot, however, access the lounges of other SkyTeam members, such as Aeroflot or Air France, which are accessible to SkyClub members. A similar arrangement also exists between Delta and Virgin Australia.
The American Airlines Admirals Club was the first airport lounge when it opened at New York's La Guardia airport in 1939. Then AA President C.R. Smith thought that it would be a great tool for VIP passengers.
Read more about this topic: Airport Lounge
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