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Today, Delta opened its newest Delta One Lounge in Boston (BOS), and I accepted Delta's invitation to experience the brand-new lounge on opening day.
This new location works differently from Delta One Lounges in New York-JFK and Los Angeles. Rather than building out a full lounge space, Delta practically opened a 121-seat luxury restaurant inside its existing Terminal E Delta Sky Club. And it might just be the best dining experience in any U.S. airport.
Here's what to know about this new Delta One Lounge location and my experience on the opening day.
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Delta One Lounge Boston Hours
The new Delta One Lounge location in Boston is open from 2:00 pm to 9:00 pm. These hours coincide with the peak departure times for Delta One flights from Boston.
Note that these hours are shorter than the Delta Sky Club location where the Delta One Lounge is located. This Sky Club location currently operates from 5:30 am to 11:45 pm. Of course, hours are subject to change.
Location of the Delta One Lounge Boston
The Delta One Lounge in Boston is located in Terminal E, near gate E13, above a Hudson News store.
If you aren't originating in Boston, Delta passengers can take an airside shuttle between Terminal A and E. Technically, you can also connect airside between Terminals B/C and Terminal E — if you booked a positioning flight on another airline.
The Delta One Lounge is located on the terminal's mezzanine level. Travelers can access the lounge entrance by climbing the stairs or taking the elevator.
Delta One Lounge Boston Layout
The Delta One Lounge is essentially a restaurant located inside the existing Delta Sky Club location. That means you'll enter the same entrance as the Delta Sky Club. However, instead of turning left toward the Sky Club's stunning bar and dining areas, you'll be directed to turn right.
The first Delta One area you'll see is a dedicated seating area. This seating area was formerly available to Sky Club guests. However, starting today, it's roped off to be used exclusively for Delta One guests. Delta is dubbing this area the “living room.”
This modest space only has seating for a couple dozen guests. However, it includes a couple of soundproof booths with desks in case you need to take a call during your stay.
Down the hall past the showers is the main event: The Delta One Lounge entrance.
Inside the automated doors, you'll find check-in desks where agents will confirm that you're an eligible passenger to visit the Delta One Lounge before seating you.
Delta One Lounge Boston seating areas
Inside the Delta One Lounge, travelers have a slew of options for where to sit. If you visit during a quiet time, you'll get your choice between seating areas. During busier times, you'll have to settle for what's available.
If you love the experience of mozying up to the bar, ask to be seated at the stunning Delta One Lounge bar.
On either side of the bar, two-top tables line the lounge walls. If you have the choice, get a table on the left side of the lounge, as these tables offer an incredible view of Boston's harbor and downtown.
At the back of the lounge, you'll find tables arranged under artwork of seafood and complete with a fake fireplace.
Most tables in the lounge are arranged with two seats. However, if you're visiting with a large group, a couple of eight-top tables are available. Presumably, the lounge attendants will seat multiple groups at these tables if nothing else is available.
However, my choice of where to sit — particularly for solo travelers — is at the chowder bar.
Don't pass up the bar if you need to charge your device or have a small bag. The lounge's designers tucked away power outlets and bag hooks under the bar.
Food and Beverage at the Delta One Lounge Boston
The food and drink are the main highlights of this Delta One Lounge. So, without further ado, let's dig into what you can expect here.
The Delta One Lounge in Boston leans into the city's seafood specialties, from signature clam chowder to crabcakes and lobster rolls. Guests get their choice of three courses — a starter, a main course, and dessert.
Chefs noted that the menu will be tweaked seasonally, so you will likely find a different menu when you visit the lounge. However, menu highlights such as clam chowder and lobster rolls should be available year-round.
My server clarified that guests aren't restricted to just one item for each course. In fact, I was encouraged to try both the signature chowder as well as the crabcake. And I'm glad I accepted the suggestion. Both dishes were incredible, with the crabcake easily cementing itself as the best crabcake I've ever eaten.
For the main course, I selected the fish of the day — which were scallops with truffle mashed potato for opening day. I enjoyed the unique experience of watching scallops being grilled in the background as I enjoyed my chowder.
As it was presented to me, the chef described these scallops as being the candy of the sea. While that hasn't been my experience with scallops before, the incredibly cooked dish lived up to that hype.
Despite it being opening day, managers are still tweaking the drink menu at the Delta One Lounge Boston. However, you'll generally be able to order complimentary cocktails, wines, beers, or spirits. Additionally, certain “reserve” wines and spirits can be purchased with cash or SkyMiles — including Johnnie Walker Blue Label scotch and Rémy Martin cognac.
How long should you budget to visit the Delta One Lounge in Boston?
I posed this question to Delta One Lounge managers who were present for the lounge opening. They noted that the experience is designed to take around an hour. That should be enough time to order and enjoy all three courses.
In a hurry? Tell your server when you're seated. I'm assured that lounge staff are trained on which dishes will come out of the kitchen quickly. Also, you'll be given the option to skip right to the main course if you're short on time. Conversely, you can stretch out your experience if you've got extra time.
Delta One Lounge Amenities
The Delta One Lounge is practically a restaurant attached to Delta's Terminal E Sky Club lounge. So, the main attraction is the dining room experience. Almost all other lounge amenities are also provided to Sky Club guests.
But that doesn't mean you're missing out on amenities. For example, the Sky Club showers have been upgraded with new amenities, including super-soft robes.
Service
Service from lounge staff was incredibly attentive during my opening day visit, frequently offering drink refills and swapping out silverware between courses.
However, the true test will come during peak travel times, particularly once word gets around about this experience. When travelers show up early and book long layovers to experience this new lounge, it will be interesting to see if the staff can maintain this level of service.
One aspect I noted from my visit is that there was no easy mechanism for leaving gratuity for your server. Unlike at American Airlines Flagship First Dining, servers don't present a “thank you” note to signify the end of the meal. So, you need to flag down your server if you want to give a monetary token of your appreciation.
Bottom Line
Honestly, the new Delta One Lounge in Boston is the finest dining experience I've had in an airport anywhere in the world. And I've been lucky enough to experience top-notch airport dining experiences, including American Airlines Flagship Dining, Cathay Pacific First Class, Lufthansa's First Class Terminal, and Qatar Airways Al Safwa.
Between the incredible design, soft jazz music, and incredible food, it's easy to forget you're in an airport. During my visit, the experience truly felt like a top-notch seafood restaurant — just without the bill at the end.
Delta One travelers should certainly make time to experience this new lounge, whether that's showing up early to the airport or booking a long layover. And based on my experience at the Delta One Lounge in JFK, I'll personally opt to connect through Boston instead of JFK to experience this lounge again.
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