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SkyTeam just made some significant updates to its lounge access rules. Effective April 1, 2025, new policies affect who can access select SkyTeam lounges, how long you can stay, and whether your guest can join you. Some of the changes are welcome, especially for domestic travelers. Others may feel like a downgrade for longtime Elite Plus members.
Let’s break down what’s changed and how it affects your next trip.
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SkyTeam Lounge Access Changes 2025
SkyTeam lounge access is one of the key perks of SkyTeam Elite Plus status. Until recently, access to more than 750 lounges available worldwide was limited to Elite Plus members flying internationally with one of SkyTeam’s 18 member airlines.
As of April 1, 2025, Select SkyTeam Lounges are now accessible to more travelers — but with new time limitations.
Access to SkyTeam Lounges on domestic flights
Previously, SkyTeam lounges were reserved for international passengers. That’s no longer the case. Select domestic passengers can now access lounges in the U.S., Europe, China, Saudi Arabia, and other regions.
However, this comes with a catch. Travelers with SkyTeam Elite Plus status via Aerolineas Argentinas Aerolineas Plus won't receive lounge access on domestic itineraries worldwide. In addition, those with SkyTeam Elite Plus via Delta SkyMiles don't receive lounge access on domestic U.S. itineraries.
3-hour limitation at lounges
Another change is a new time limit for some passengers flying internationally. SkyTeam Elite Plus members, along with First and Business Class travelers, can now only access lounges up to three hours before their flight. And for those flying in First or Business Class, every leg of the trip needs to be booked in that same cabin.
You’ll need to show a same-day boarding pass to get in. And if you're trying to use a domestic lounge, your itinerary needs to include either a connection to an international flight or a domestic-to-domestic connection that eventually leads to an international leg.
Related: Beginner's Guide to Airline Alliances & Partnerships
Lounge access for guests
Guest access is now more restrictive, too. Elite Plus members used to be able to bring in anyone as a guest — now that guest has to be on the exact same SkyTeam-operated flight. Any other connecting flights before or after don’t count; it all needs to be the same.
Participating lounges
These changes apply to a specific list of lounges for now. Here’s where you can expect the new rules to be in effect:
- Paris Charles De Gaulle: Air France Lounge – Terminal 2F
- Paris Charles De Gaulle: Air France Lounge – Terminal 2G
- Paris Orly: Air France Lounge
- Bordeaux: Air France Lounge
- Geneva-Cointrin: Air France Lounge
- Boston Logan Int'l: Air France Lounge
- Washington Dulles Int'l: Air France Lounge
- Houston George Bush Int'l: Air France Lounge
- Houston George Bush Int'l: KLM Crown Lounge
- New York JFK Int'l: Air France Lounge
- San Francisco: Air France Lounge
- Los Angeles Int'l: Air France Lounge
- Soekarno-Hatta Int'l: Garuda Indonesia Lounge
- I Gusti Hgurah Rai Int'l: Garuda Indonesia Lounge
- Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Int'l: Msafiri Lounge
- Fozhou Airport: Xiamen Airlines First Class Lounge
- Hangzhou Airport: Xiamen Airlines First Class Lounge
- Jinjiang Airport: Xiamen Airlines First Class Lounge
- Shanghai Hongqiao Int'l: Xiamen Airlines First Class Lounge
- Shanghai Hongqiao Int'l: V28 China Eastern First & Business Class Lounge
- Shanghai Hongqiao Int'l: V23 China Eastern First & Business Class Lounge
- Shanghai Hongqiao Int'l: V2 Shanghai Airlines Lounge
- Tianjin: Xiamen Airlines First Class Lounge
- Xiamen Airport: Xiamen Airlines First Class Lounge
- Stockholm-Arlanda: SAS Lounge
- Copenhagen-Kastrup: SAS Lounge
- New York Newark Liberty Int'l: SAS Lounge
- Gothenburg-Landvetter: SAS Lounge
- Oslo-Gardermoen: SAS Domestic Lounge
- Chicago O'Hare Int'l: SAS Lounge
- Jeddah King Abdulaziz Int'l: Alfursan Domestic Lounge
- Riyadh King Khaled Int'l: Alfursan Domestic Lounge
- Noi Bai Int'l: Lotus Lounge
You may notice that Delta Sky Club locations are notably absent from the list. Here's what you need to know about getting Delta Sky Club access. In short, Delta and select Amex cards are still the best shortcut to getting into Delta lounges — but the best cards for Sky Club access don't come cheap:
(Terms apply)
- 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 1X miles on every eligible dollar spent on purchases.
- 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 1.5X miles per dollar on eligible transit, U.S. shipping, and U.S. office supply store purchases, plus all eligible purchases after spending $150K per calendar year
- 1 mile on every dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
(Terms apply)
- Earn 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year).
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
Final Thoughts
These lounge changes mark a notable shift for SkyTeam — especially for travelers used to more flexible access. While opening lounge access on domestic flights is a major win in some regions, the new restrictions on time limits and guest access may leave frequent flyers frustrated. As more lounges adopt these rules, it’s worth planning ahead to make the most of your SkyTeam status or premium cabin perks.
What do you think about the changes to SkyTeam lounges' access policies?
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (Rates & Fees), Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card (Rates & Fees), and The Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees)
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