Review: Alaska Lounge Los Angeles (LAX)

Throughout my layover at LAX, I figured I’d try a number of lounges. So far as oneworld lounges go, I not solely visited the Qantas First Lounge and oneworld Lounge, however I additionally determined to take a look at the Alaska Lounge.

Whereas that is clearly not in the identical league as worldwide premium lounges, it’s nonetheless a fairly strong home membership lounge. Not solely was it lately renovated, however the lounge had pleasant employees, nice espresso, and above common meals.

Alaska Lounge LAX location & hours

The Alaska Lounge LAX is positioned in Terminal 6, which is the terminal out of which all Alaska Airways flights depart. In the event you’re touring on one other airline and need to go to the lounge, understand that the terminal is accessible airside by way of connectors from Terminals 4, 5, 7, and eight, in addition to Tom Bradley Worldwide Terminal (TBIT).

As soon as in Terminal 6, the lounge is positioned one stage above the primary concourse, close to gate 64. In the event you’re coming from the safety checkpoint, simply hold strolling by way of the primary terminal hall.

Ultimately you’ll have the choice of turning both left or proper, and also you’ll need to dangle left. On this space you’ll see the elevator to the Alaska Lounge on the left, proper in entrance of gate 64B (there’s no choice to take stairs — presumably there are some emergency stairs, however they’re not out there beneath regular circumstances).

The Alaska Lounge LAX is open day by day from 5AM till 9:30PM.

Alaska Lounge LAX entry necessities

With regards to guidelines for accessing Alaska Lounges:

• Paid Alaska Airways first-class passengers get Alaska Lounge entry, whether or not they paid with money or miles (those that upgraded don’t qualify)
• These with an Alaska Lounge or American Admirals Membership membership get Alaska Lounge entry
• In step with oneworld lounge entry guidelines, Alaska Lounges are customary oneworld Sapphire and oneworld enterprise class lounges

There’s a bit extra nuance to lounge entry insurance policies, so see my detailed information about Alaska Lounge entry.

Alaska Lounge LAX seating & structure

The Alaska Lounge LAX underwent a full refresh in 2019, and the airline did a extremely good job with this. For context on the modifications, try my 2015 evaluation of this lounge — the distinction is evening and day.

The LAX lounge is without doubt one of the smaller lounges in Alaska’s system, however then once more, this isn’t as large of a hub for the airline as Portland or Seattle. The lounge consists of 1 massive room, damaged up into a wide range of zones.

Simply inside the doorway is an extended bench with some eating tables and chairs.

There are then some cozy and nicely padded semi-private chairs, every of which additionally has an adjustable desk.

Behind which are 4 extra seats, every of which additionally has a desk.

Then the primary a part of the lounge consists of seating that’s higher for eating or working. This contains two communal tables with high-top seating, in addition to some eating tables every seating 4 individuals, within the far nook of the lounge.

Lastly, there are some extra tables alongside the home windows, in addition to a communal desk with a number of seats on the far nook of the lounge, by the bar.

The lounge has nice views of the apron, so you may see numerous the exercise from Terminal 6 and Terminal 7 (and you’ve got an particularly good view of operations at gate 64B).

Because the lounge refresh, there’s additionally no scarcity of retailers, as a overwhelming majority of seats have these.

For my part the lounge design strikes an excellent stability between being cozy and having some character, whereas nonetheless being purposeful.

Alaska Lounge LAX meals & drinks

Alaska Lounges have a strong food and drinks choice — I’d say the meals is mostly barely higher than what you’ll discover in Admirals Golf equipment and United Golf equipment, whereas the drinks are considerably higher.

The Alaska Lounge LAX has a self-serve buffet.

Once I was there throughout breakfast hours, choices included greek vanilla nonfat yogurt, chia pudding, strawberries, blueberries, metal lower oatmeal, scrambled eggs, sausage hyperlinks, muffins, bagels, bread, cream cheese, complete fruit, snack combine, and extra.

Oh, and naturally we will’t overlook Alaska Airways’ well-known pancake machine.

Self-serve drinks included Starbucks drip espresso, in addition to a machine with a wide range of espresso drinks. Some will admire that there are additionally syrups out there, if you wish to sweeten up your drink.

There’s additionally a Coca-Cola soda fountain.

As a sizzling sauce fanatic, I like that Alaska has a sizzling sauce caddy by the buffet, to spice issues up a bit.

My single favourite factor about Alaska Lounges is that they’ve barista-made coffees on the bar. You possibly can order a latte, mocha, cappuccino, americano, espresso, macchiato, or sizzling chocolate, and you’ll even choose the kind of milk you’d like.

You possibly can order your espresso in a to-go cup, in the event you’re in a rush and need to take pleasure in it in your flight. Alaska is the one US airline to persistently supply barista-made espresso as a characteristic in its customary lounges, and it’s one thing I like.

Alaska Lounges even have a number of complimentary beer, wine, and cocktails. As a principally West Coast airline, I admire how Alaska Airways highlights drinks from the area.

There’s even a signature martini out there proper now, with espresso, vanilla sweetener, and vodka.

The Alaska Lounge LAX additionally has a small menu of meals out there for buy, together with pizza, burgers, and hen tenders. Nonetheless, except one thing has modified, it’s not one thing I’d advocate — if you’d like one thing extra substantial, you’re higher off eating within the terminal.

Alaska Lounge LAX bogs

The Alaska Lounge LAX has restrooms contained in the lounge. The boys’s restroom had two stalls and urinals. Nonetheless, be aware that the Alaska Lounge LAX doesn’t have showers (which isn’t shocking, since Alaska Airways doesn’t function lengthy haul flights).

Alaska Lounge LAX service

One factor that stood out to me concerning the Alaska Lounge expertise was how pleasant all of the employees have been. This kind of matches my expertise at different Alaska Lounges. The individuals working there simply appeared plain pleased, and grateful for purchasers.

The lounge isn’t very massive, so I might hear them greet every passenger as they arrived, they usually did so with nice enthusiasm. I additionally assume it’s fascinating that at the very least traditionally, Alaska Lounges have had a no tipping coverage, together with on the bar, regardless of having a number of the nicest and hardest working bartenders you’ll discover at any lounge. That actually counters the pattern in america.

Backside line

I’ve at all times been a fan of Alaska Lounges, and the refreshed LAX location isn’t any exception. Admittedly these received’t compete with the highest worldwide lounges, however the Alaska Lounge LAX has nice views, good decor, pleasant employees, strong meals, barista-made espresso, and good alcohol.

It has at all times felt to me like Alaska Airways places effort into its lounges, even simply all the way down to the small considerate touches, like a sizzling sauce caddy. If in case you have the prospect to go to this lounge and have reasonable expectations, it shouldn’t disappoint.

In the event you’ve visited the Alaska Lounge LAX, what was your expertise like?