Delta Sky Club at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Concourse C [Review]

I visited the Concourse C Delta Sky Club at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in March 2024 with my school-age daughter. When we visited, the lounge was nearly at full capacity, making it somewhat stressful to find a spot to relax. But once we found a cozy corner, we enjoyed the lounge’s amenities, including a hot and cold buffet, bar, Wi-Fi, reading materials, and clean restrooms.

Continue reading to find out more about our experience at the Concourse C Sky Club at ATL.

What Are Delta Sky Clubs?

Delta Sky Clubs are airport lounges operated by Delta Air Lines. These lounges typically offer complimentary food and drinks, seating, newspapers and magazines, flight assistance, and Wi-Fi access. There are more than 50 Delta Sky Club locations in the U.S.

Location

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the world’s busiest airport and Delta Air Lines’ largest hub. This airport has 9 Delta Sky Club locations, with at least 1 club in each of the airport’s concourses.

I considered checking out the elevated Concourse F Sky Club, with showers and a Sky Deck, but once I saw how simple it would be to get to the Concourse C club, I decided to take the easy route.

I passed through Concourse C on a layover, and the club’s location near gate C37 couldn’t have been more convenient. It was between the entrance to Concourse C and our departure gate — less than a 2-minute walk from the club to our gate, even carrying my daughter’s backpack and mine. I sometimes go out of my way or use interterminal transportation to access my preferred lounges, but this lounge was right along the way, and I couldn’t beat that on a 2-hour layover.

As we entered Concourse C, numerous signs led us to the Sky Club.

Even if we’d missed all of the signs, there was no mistaking the club from the outside entrance with its red velvet queue ropes, illuminated sign on the wall, and the location marker sticking out into the concourse corridor.

The club access information screen also clearly indicated where we were and offered club hours and access information. We entered via the sliding glass doors.

The quiet entrance lobby featured fountains embedded in one of the walls.

We could enter using the stairs or by taking an elevator. Loaded down with luggage, most people took the elevator.

Gaining Entry

Stepping off the elevator into the main entry, it was clear from the large check-in desk with 3 agents that this was a fairly large and busy club.

There are numerous options for access to Delta Sky Clubs:

• Individual Membership: $695 or 69,500 SkyMiles; member-only complimentary access. Requires same-day travel on Delta or its partners, but not valid when flying on a Basic Economy ticket.
• Executive Membership: $1,495 or 149,500 SkyMiles; complimentary access for the member and up to 2 guests (or spouse/domestic partner and children under 21). Requires same-day travel on Delta or its partners, but not valid when flying on a Basic Economy ticket.
• Delta One: Traveling Delta One on a domestic or international Delta flight or a domestic ticket connecting to or from a same-day international Delta One flight.
• SkyTeam Premium Cabin: International first or business class on a SkyTeam-operated flight.
• SkyTeam Elite Plus Status: SkyTeam Elite Plus traveling in any cabin on a SkyTeam international flight or a SkyTeam domestic flight connecting to or from a same-day international flight. SkyMiles Gold, Platinum, or Diamond Medallion members must be flying Premium Select or Delta One to be able to access a Delta Sky Club. Includes a complimentary guest.
• Delta Cardholders: Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business American Express Card holders get complimentary access with Delta flights as long as they’re not flying Basic Economy. Up to 2 guests or immediate family are $50 per person or $25 for grab-and-go locations. Reserve cardholders will only receive 15 visits per year to Delta Sky Clubs. To earn unlimited visits, you must spend at least $75,000 between January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, and each following year.
• Amex Cardholders: Cardholders of the Centurion^® Card from American Express, Business Centurion^® Card from American Express, The Platinum Card^® from American Express, and The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express flying Delta get complimentary access, as long as they’re not flying Basic Economy. Up to 2 guests or immediate family are $50 per person or $25 for grab-and-go locations. Effective February 1, 2025, Amex Platinum cardholders will only receive 10 visits per year to Delta Sky Clubs. To earn unlimited visits, they must spend at least $75,000 between January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, and each following year.

Guests can visit Delta Sky Club lounges any time within 3 hours of scheduled departure time, and connecting guests can access clubs in the connecting airport any time before departure.

I flew Delta Airlines Main Cabin 1 that day, so I accessed the club using my Amex Platinum card and paid a $50 fee to get my daughter in.

Usually, I’d go out of my way for a Priority Pass lounge or restaurant we could both visit for free with my Priority Pass Select membership from my Chase Sapphire Reserve^® (restaurant access ends July 1, 2024). However, the Concourse C Sky Club was right along our way to the gate, so I valued the convenience. The closest Priority Pass option, Samuel Adams Brew House, was in Concourse B, and I wanted to visit a lounge instead of a restaurant/bar that day.

Hot Tip:

Priority Pass options at ATL include the Samuel Adams Brewhouse, Be Relax Spa, 4 Minute Suites locations, and The Club ATL.

First Impressions

As we walked in, my daughter was impressed by the clocks showing the time for various cities: Atlanta, Los Angeles, Paris, Tokyo, and São Paulo.

A few steps further in was a flight information display for Delta flights throughout the airport.

Venturing further inside, I quickly realized this lounge was packed — hardly any seats were open. I was concerned we wouldn’t find a place to sit together.

Seating

The Concourse C Delta Sky Club at ATL had a few seating areas: within the buffet (with rolling high chairs available), at the bar, a large main area overlooking the apron, some bar seating along a corridor wall, and a small seating area near the check-in desk.

There were a few tables and some bar seats along the wall of the buffet room. I considered sitting there, which would have been convenient for keeping an eye on my daughter while we got food. However, I kept looking to see if we could find a more comfortable spot with less traffic.

The main seating area was jam-packed.

Seats that weren’t occupied by a person typically had bags or other items, indicating the occupant had just stepped away for a bit.

In a hallway behind the bar was additional bar-height seating along the wall.

Just past the hallway bar seating, I found the perfect spot for us: a couple of comfy chairs with outlets and small tables. At that point, I’d made almost a complete circle back to the check-in desk. This was the absolute last opportunity to find a spot before we doubled back to sit in the buffet room, so I felt pretty lucky to have found this open.

Had we not found this spot, I might have completed the circle back to the front desk to see if I could get my guest fee back and head out. I’d looked at our gate before entering the lounge, and it was completely empty at that point. It seemed a little silly to pay a $50 guest fee to try to cram ourselves into a packed lounge when it was so quiet there.

This spot was just to the side of the check-in desk, which was both good and bad. It was about as far as we could get from the buffet and bar, and I wasn’t eager to leave my daughter alone while I got us food. But I also didn’t want to leave our bags unattended, although other guests did so. Taking our bags with us to get food would have been cumbersome, and I was definitely worried about losing our spot if we left it open.

Being so close to the check-in desk, I felt comfortable enough to leave my daughter out of my direct sight. I set her up with something to watch, along with instructions not to talk to people or let anyone touch our stuff — and if she had any problems, to get help from the front desk agents just steps away. It was fine!

We also had a nice little window to watch planes come and go.

Food and Beverage

Buffet

The buffet was in a main area with hot and cold items on a single buffet, along with fruit and snacks in additional areas. Throughout the buffet, signs indicated “avoiding gluten,” “vegetarian,” or “vegan” with words and colors to make it easy to identify those options.

One of the hot options was roasted chicken in a mushroom sauce.

Another hot option was farro pilaf with winter vegetables.

There were also green beans.

Finally, a harvest butternut squash soup was another hot option on the buffet.

There were a few salad options: a pasta salad with beans and ditalini, a Caesar salad with kale and brussels sprouts, a quinoa salad with cabbage and edamame, and bare greens to make your own salad with toppings and dressings from the salad bar.

Salad bar toppings included shredded carrots, tomatoes, and cucumbers.

The end of the salad bar had more interesting options: chips and salsa, hummus and crackers, tuna salad, cubed cheese, marinated roasted red peppers, and even ham salad.

Another cold buffet option was honey mustard chicken sandwiches with chips.

Next to that, the dessert section featured Rice Krispies Treats and pound cake slices accompanied by sliced strawberries.

On the other side were soft chocolate chip cookies.

Off to the side was a coffee and snack area featuring decaf and regular Starbucks coffee, packaged chips, and a dispenser with a snack mix.

Another buffet table offered whole fruits: bananas and oranges.

I had a sandwich, kale salad, roasted chicken, and a couple of extra veggies from the salad bar. And you bet I went back for a cookie. My daughter definitely didn’t eat $50 worth of food to offset her guest access, but she enjoyed it nonetheless!

Bar

The bar was in the main seating area. Alcohol was served from the bar, while a self-serve fountain and bar had sodas and coffees.

Upgraded and complimentary alcoholic drinks were available. Complimentary selections included several wines, a few beers and seltzers, and several spirits, with classic cocktail suggestions including mimosa, Bloody Mary, margarita, and old-fashioned.

The premium upgrade menu was much more extensive, with wines by the class starting at $9, beers from $4.50, premium spirits from $6, and signature cocktails from $7.50.

I wasn’t in the mood for a drink, but I promised my husband a smoked maple old-fashioned if we found ourselves in a Delta Sky Club at some point.

Sitting near the front desk, I overheard a guest complain about being charged for Tito’s vodka — a selection on the premium spirits list. It sounded like he’d ordered a drink and was asked which vodka he’d prefer, and he chose Tito’s rather than the complimentary Bols Amsterdam Vodka, not realizing there’d be a charge for that.

Hot Tip:

Check the bar menu before you order a drink — your preferred selection may require an upgrade charge.

Next to the bar was a self-serve soda fountain and coffee machine.

Amenities

This lounge offered complimentary Wi-Fi, spacious restrooms with changing tables, reading materials, and a small business center.

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi in the lounge was fast and easy to access. At the front desk, they quizzed us on the password — elevate — so we’d have no trouble getting in. It was fast enough for my daughter to stream videos, so no complaints.

Restrooms

The restrooms were near the front desk. The ladies’ room had 3 stalls: 1 wheelchair accessible and 2 regular stalls.

There was plenty of space for bags, including 2 bag hooks. My daughter’s bag was too heavy for her to carry on her own most of the time. At this point, I’d already spent half of our travel day lugging both of our backpacks into bathroom stalls with me, usually having to creatively hook them or just give up and put a bag on the floor. It was a relief to be able to hang both of them up in this bathroom!

In the accessible stall, there was a stainless steel changing table.

There weren’t any liners in the dispenser, but the table was clean.

Outside of the stalls, the sinks featured Grown Alchemist hand soap.

Behind the entry door was a full-length mirror. Next to it was another spot that looked like a changing table, but it could also hold bags. There was also a sharps collection container.

Reading Materials

The lounge featured reading materials in a couple of spots. A small selection was in the hallway area behind the bar.

A larger magazine stand was across from the check-in desk.

Business Center

Near the front entrance and restrooms, the business center featured a Xerox printer and copier machine with instructions on how to print from your phone, tablet, or laptop.

Staff and Service

The staff at the lounge was friendly and accommodating, and this busy lounge ran well. I noticed the entire lounge was clean, including the bathrooms, and I didn’t see stray food or drink trash anywhere. The buffet staff constantly refilled items, and every selection was plentiful.

While it was a very busy lounge, I didn’t see any signs of the staff buckling under the pressure — just the front desk counting down the number of available seats as it got down to 5 so they knew how many guests could still come in.

Final Thoughts

I rarely fly Delta and don’t often find myself in Atlanta, so it was a novelty to visit this lounge. Still, I’m not entirely sure it was worth the $50 I paid to get my daughter in as a guest. The lounge was way too busy for my taste, and I couldn’t help but think we might have been just fine spending less picking up food along the way and resting at the completely empty gate instead of navigating the nearly full lounge.

Nonetheless, we enjoyed our visit well enough. I appreciated the good food, fast Wi-Fi, plentiful outlets, comfortable seating, and the view of planes coming and going. We were comfortable, thanks to our luck finding a couple of cozy seats tucked away in a quiet area.