Air France debuts new SkyTeam lounge at LAX

SkyTeam frequent flyers have a new home at Los Angeles International Airport from June 21, as founding member Air France pulls back the curtains on a characteristically-chic lounge at LAX Tom Bradley Terminal B.

Behind its glass sliding doors, the relaxed hangout sports an open kitchen and tended bar, shower suites, and ample spaces to unwind or work. And from September, a Clarins day spa zone providing anti-jet lag facials and massages. 

The new Air France lounge at LAX.

Open daily from 9:30am to 11:30pm, it welcomes Air France’s La Première, Business and Flying Blue Elite Plus passengers, as well as eligible travellers on KLM and SkyTeam partner airlines (that list includes Korean Air, China Airlines and Virgin Atlantic).

Of course, Delta is also on that SkyTeam roster, though it departs from Terminal 3 and has its own ‘Delta Sky Club’ lounge. That said, if jetting off on one of its partners, eligible SkyMiles members are of course free to pop inside.

The lounge seats up to 172 passengers.

Designed in collaboration with Air France and Parisian agency SGK Brandimage, styling echoes the carrier’s La Première first and business class cabins – bold blues, crisp white and pops of red, with subtle silver accents.

At its heart is a brasserie-style restaurant, dishing up classic French fare such as beef Bourguignon, braised chicken or Monkfish Provencale, alongside a selection of sweet, savoury and cold bites.

Treat your taste buds to tantalising French fare.

For a little more indulgence, there’s also an open kitchen, where a chef can prepare dishes like pan-fried prawns or cassoulet with duck confit on request.

The tended bar is your go-to for a mix of French wines and champagne, spirits and cocktails, as well as local beers.

La Première cabin passengers also have a dedicated private area, which has its own dining space and seats up to 12 guests. Exclusive spa treatments designed to help travellers de-stress ahead of their flight are also on the menu.

Air France LAX La Première zone.

Until now, first and business class passengers and SkyTeam Elite Plus members flying on Air France and KLM have been welcomed at the LAX Oneworld lounge, via an arrangement with its partner airline Qantas.

Air France is on a roll with its new lounges, with LAX following the unveiling of a dedicated La Première first lounge at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport, replete with private bookable apartments and due to open ahead of the July 2024 Olympic Games.