Delta Sky Club SFO Review: A Comfy Lounge, But Not The Best

The SFO Delta Sky Club holds its own among top-tier airport lounges. It offers impressive runway views via floor-to-ceiling windows, and luxury amenities like shower rooms with fancy soap products.

But compared to its two closest siblings — its counterpart down south at the Delta Sky Club LAX, as well as the SFO AmEx lounge — it does feel slightly underwhelming. There’s no sprawling patio for plane spotting like the Delta Sky Club at LAX. And the buffet, though good, just isn’t quite as extensive as the ones at either the Delta Sky Club LAX and the SFO AmEx lounge.

Travelers can expect:

• Buffet including hot entrees, sandwiches, salads, fruits and desserts.

• Coca-Cola Freestyle.

• Starbucks coffee and espresso drinks.

• Complimentary wine, beer and classic cocktails (premium alcohol, such as signature cocktails, are an additional fee).

• Complimentary showers with Grown Alchemist bath products..

• Complimentary Wi-Fi.

I visited the Delta Sky Club SFO before departing on a Delta flight. I was able to get in with The Platinum Card® from American Express, since Delta SkyClubs are part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection and I was flying Delta that day.

The Delta Sky Club SFO is located in Terminal 1 near gate C3.

At SFO, all terminals are connected post-security, so travelers in other terminals can still access the lounge, but it might require a long walk. The AirTrain is located pre-security, so you’ll have to clear security again to ride it. Plan accordingly.

» Learn more: The guide to Dallas-Fort Worth Airport (DFW)

The lounge's large windows that offer runway views are the highlight. It’s a brighter space than its closest competitor, the AmEx Centurion Lounge at SFO, which doesn’t have a single exterior window.

Nab a seat in one of the big, plush chairs for the best views.

A barrier separates the lounge into two areas. The front half is comfy seating with views, while the back half offers desk seating that feels more enclosed, with lower ceilings and no windows. Desk seating options include long, communal desks and individual, cubby-style work spaces.

The work area also features a printer, which is free to use. Most seats have their own power outlets.

The lounge features a minimalist design, with white floors, walls and counters.

Posters pay homage to San Francisco-based companies like filmmaker George Lucas' production company Lucasfilm and the famous chocolatier Ghirardelli.

There’s also a box stocked with free-to-borrow puzzles and board games.

» Learn more: 6 reasons you should be using airport lounges

Bathrooms and shower rooms

Shower room use is complimentary, which is a major perk ahead of a long flight. Reservation are required, and can be made at the front desk on a first-come, first-served basis. Both the showers and the bathroom soaps and lotions are from Grown Alchemist, a high-end skincare company.

Buffet

The buffet at the Delta Sky Club SFO offers a nice mix of snack food, sandwiches, salads and hot entrees. All sorts of dietary needs are accommodated, including vegetarian and gluten-free.

When I visited on a September weekday for lunch, the vegan, gluten-free dishes included steamed broccoli and an island-style chickpea curry. The salad bar even offered plant-based chicken as an option. The meat option involved meatballs in a similar curry sauce.

The deli section included roast beef sandwiches, hummus and veggie wraps, plus all sorts of meats, cheese, fruits and spreads for a make-your-own charcuterie plate.

The salad bar offered good variety, with multiple salad types (including one pre-dressed and one dry), plus non-green salads, such as a Mexican corn salad.

For dessert, there were different types of cookies and tapioca pudding.

Bar

Most nonalcoholic drinks (including wine, beer and classic cocktails) are complimentary.

Some of the higher-end alcohols — including specialty cocktails — cost extra and can be paid for in either cash or by redeeming Delta SkyMiles. Cocktails cost between 500 and 800 miles. Considering NerdWallet values Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cents each, this can be a high-value redemption compared to paying cash prices, which run about $7.50 to $12.

I didn’t try any boozy drinks for myself, but the bar rarely had a line, making it easy for guests to order.

Nonalcoholic options

A coffee machine can make items such as lattes and cappuccinos with the touch of a button, using Starbucks beans. There’s also drip coffee, plus flavored syrups to spice up your coffee drink.

A Coca-Cola Freestyle offers seemingly limitless flavor combinations, including non-soda drinks such as teas and flavored water.

To get into the Delta Sky Club SFO, you generally need either a Delta Sky Club membership or a Delta One ticket or a premium cabin ticket on a partner airline. Certain travelers with elite status and travelers holding certain credit cards, may also have access.

You can't buy a day pass to Delta Sky Clubs unless you have a co-branded Delta credit card that allows you to do so.

Among the credit cards that can get you access include:

Terms apply.

For more information on how to access Delta Sky Clubs, check out our full guide.

The Delta Sky Club SFO is a nice spot to fill up on a decent meal and drinks before a flight — all while admiring the airfield outside. It’s not the nicest Delta Sky Club in the country, but it’s still a pleasant place to park before your plane’s departure.

Budget time before your flight to get a tasty (and complimentary) meal in. And if you happen to find yourself here because of a layover, take advantage of the showers.

On the way out, stop by the popcorn cart, where bags are already pre-filled so you can take one to-go.

Featured photo by Sally French.

To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.

To view rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, see this page.

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, see this page.