Easter 2025. I’m visiting my uncle and aunt in Leland, North Carolina. It’s my first trip of two to the United States in 2025. I haven’t seen them live since February 2020 just before the first lockdown and I haven’t travelled to this area since 2019. I’m flying with SAS and Delta. The itinerary: Brussels in Belgium – Copenhagen in Denmark – Atlanta in Georgia – Wilmington in North Carolina.  

The flesh is week, we say in Dutch (Het vlees is zwak). When SAS mailed offering me to bid for an upgrade to premium economy or business class, I did. The minimum bid was way less than the minimum bid for the outbound journey to America, so it felt like a bargain. I bid twenty euros more than the minimum bid. I figured: if I get the upgrade, that’s great; if I don’t, okay, fate decided. 

I got it. This meant I got access to the Delta Sky Club Lounge at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. As my flight to Copenhagen departed from Concourse F, that’s where I went. 

My expectations weren’t super high, as airport lounges in the USA don’t have the reputation of being that great.

Delta Sky Club Lounge at Atlanta Airport Concourse F

The Delta Sky Club Lounge at Atlanta Airport Concourse F is situated on a mezzanine near Gate F10, just after security, if you’re coming from landside. 

You gain entry by having your boarding pass scanned. If you have an eligible one, you get in.

Layout

When you enter the Delta Sky Club, you see on your left the buffet and the bar. Behind the bar there is another room with seats and a buffet table with coffee, tea, water and a popcorn machine. 

On your right there are seats in various shapes, tables and work cubicles.

There is also a mezzanine with more seating.

There is also a terrace or deck outside. Yes. Not for smokers, but just for some fresh air and a pretty view on the apron. 

The buffet

Food is an important aspect of business class lounges. The buffet offering was akin to a hotel breakfast. Some warm options, some cold cuts and cheeses, wraps. Some dessert in the form of chocolate chip cookies and brownies, and later some trifle (or similar). 

The buffet features a flavoured water dispenser. For alcoholic drinks, head to the bar. 

And the food? Well, it wasn’t great. The chicken with a lemony sauce was very dry and the vegetables were flat. 

But what really disappointed me, were the single-use plates (in polystyrene?) and the plastic cutlery. No, that’s just a sad sight. 

So?

While I was disappointed by the food, the lounge offered shelter from the (not really so) madding crowd. The lounge was busy, but there were seats available. WiFi was good. The bathroom was clean enough. 

So while the Delta Sky Club won’t leave me a lasting fond memory, it was fine. 

North Carolina 2025

1. REVIEW | SAS Scandinavian Airlines System – Brussels to Copenhagen – economy – Embraer E195LR.
2. REVIEW | SAS Scandinavian Airlines System – Copenhagen to Atlanta – economy – Airbus A330.
3. REVIEW | Delta Air Lines – Atlanta to Wilmington – economy – Boeing 717.
4. NORTH CAROLINA | Wilmington Riverwalk.
5. NORTH CAROLINA | Walmart Supercenter Leland.
6. WILMINGTON | USS North Carolina – Costco – Tidewater Oysters – Lewis Strawberry Nursery and Farm.
7. CAPE FEAR | Fort Fisher in North Carolina.
8. NORTH CAROLINA | Wilmington International Airport.