San Diego Airport lounges: the current situation (it’s not all that great)

I’m pretty much the biggest cheerleader ever when it comes to San Diego International Airport (SAN). It’s been my home airport for over 20 years now, and if you’d let me, I’d bend your ear off telling you all the ways that it’s more awesome than *your* home airport. 

However, I am humble enough to admit that San Diego Airport lounges are not nearly as nice (and swanky) as other domestic US airport lounges. This may be a really nice place to fly in and out of, but the lounge situation leaves this local feeling embarrassed and ashamed from time to time.

A detailed overview of every lounge at the San Diego Airport

At the time of this writing, there are only 3 lounges at the San Diego Airport: the United Club, the Delta Sky Club, and the Aspire Lounge. 

All San Diego airport lounges are located in Terminal 2. There are no lounges in Terminal 1 (yet), which is unfortunate considering that it’s the home of Southwest (the airline with the highest number of arrivals and departures at SAN).

1. United Club

A small but very stylish lounge located on the mezzanine level in Terminal 2 west, the United Club is a decent place to hang out before a flight – assuming you arrive before the crowds do (which is often). There’s a full bar, some decent food options (mostly snacks), and spectacular views of the airport below. Read my full review if you want to know more…

Location of the SAN United Club

From the T2 West security checkpoint, turn right. The United Club is located directly above the food court, so you will need to take the elevator or escalator to reach it. As long as you don’t get distracted by all the smells wafting from within, you can’t miss either!

Once you’ve arrived at the second level, turn left. The entrance to the United Club will be right there in front of you.

If you’re coming from the T2 East security checkpoint, turn left towards the exit – but instead of exiting the terminal, turn right and walk down the long hallway towards Terminal 2 West (just look for the artwork hanging on the wall). Walk all the way until you reach the PGA Grill (it’ll be on your left), and take a left. Proceed to the main food court (straight ahead) and follow the directions I wrote above for going up the elevator/escalator.

How to get in:

• Have a same day international first or business class ticket on United (or a Star Alliance partner airline).
• Be a Star Alliance Gold member with a same day international ticket on United (or a Star Alliance partner airline).
• Use the Chase United Club card (which comes with complementary United Club access). I had this card for a while, and I used it to get into this lounge (and the one in Terminal 7 at LAX) all the time. 
• A day pass can be purchased for $59, assuming you are holding a ticket on United or any other Star Alliance partner airline.

Read the most up to date United Club access requirements here.

2. Delta Sky Club

Everything that I said about the United Club above applies to the San Diego Sky Club. The size is nearly identical, as is the lack of substantial food options (other than light snacks). Note that the floor plan of the Sky Club is more open, helping it to feel larger and less cramped. If you want to see a boatload of pics, be sure to read my full review of the SAN Sky Club.

Location of the Delta Sky Club

Basically, everything I just wrote about the location of the United Club above applies to the Sky Club. These two lounges are adjacent to one another on the second level above the main food court, with the only difference being that the Sky Club is on the right. Instead of turning left off the elevator/escalator, turn right.

How to get in:

• Have a same day international business class (Delta One) ticket on Delta (or any SkyTeam partner airline).
• Be a SkyTeam Elite Plus member with a same dat ticket on Delta (or any SkyTeam partner airline).
• Use the American Express Platinum Card. This card comes with complementary Sky Club access, and it’s a perk I take advantage of often.

Note that day passes are no longer available. Bummer! That said, its probably a good idea to keep up with the most up to date Delta Sky Club access requirements here.

3. Aspire Lounge

Located in the corridor between Terminal 2 East and West, this the only Priority Pass lounge at SAN. It’s also a common-use lounge for first and business class passengers of Alaska Airlines, American, British Airways, and JAL.

For those of you not feeling ambitious enough to read my full review of it, just know this: It’s always full, and I’ve personally never felt comfortable in there. It’s loud, the seating arrangement is awkward (many seats face each other), and there is very little free food. 

Location of the Aspire Lounge

From the T2 West security checkpoint, turn right. Stay right. Keep walking towards gate 33. Eventually the gates will stop, and you will be entering the corridor leading to Terminal 2 East. Halfway down this corridor, you will see the entrance to the Aspire lounge.

If you’re coming from the Terminal 2 East security checkpoint, follow the same instructions I laid about above for the United Club and Sky Club: turn left towards the corridor leading to T2 West, but you don’t have to go far since the entrance to the Airspace lounge is located mid-way through.

How to get in:

Of the three lounges here at the San Diego Airport, the Aspire Lounge is probably the easiest to get into.

• The most common way is to have a Priority Pass membership.
• Since it’s a common use lounge, having a business or first class ticket American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, or Japan Airlines will get you complimentary access.
• Another easy way to get access to this lounge (and all Aspire lounges) is with the American Express Platinum card. This card comes with complimentary access for the cardholder and two guests. A pretty awesome perk IMHO, even if the SAN Aspire lounge is mediocre at best.

Which is the BEST lounge at SAN? And why?

In my opinion, the best lounge the San Diego Airport is the United Club. Yes, it’s painfully small and the food choices aren’t all that extensive, but it’s the winner in my book thanks to it’s varied seating options. Unlike the Delta Sky Club and the Aspire lounge, there are small (and semi-private) nooks and crannies to hide out in. 

A word of warning though: everything I just said only applies during non-peak hours. The reality is that it’s total chaos when there are several United flights going out within an hour or two of one another.

On the other hand, it’s total bliss when things are quiet and you’ve got the place nearly all to yourself.

Which is the WORST SAN? And why?

This is easy. Even though I dislike how small both the United Club and Sky Club are, the Aspire lounge has a lot going wrong for it. For example: even though it is larger than the other two lounges combined, the fact that it’s a mixed-use lounge makes it prone to become crowded and busy all throughout the day.

Not only that, there isn’t much to eat if you’re not willing to pay for a meal. Of all the times I’ve visited this particular Aspire lounge over the years, they’ve never had anything other than bruised fresh fruit, snack mix, and (sometimes) cheese wedges available on the snack bar. This is not the San Diego Airport lounge to visit if you’ve got a grumbling stomach (and an empty wallet).

San Diego Airport lounge FAQ’s

Although minimum connection times for the San Diego Airport are low, I would advice booking a longer layover if you can. If you’re not connecting, arriving several hours before your departure is good advice as well. The lounges at SAN aren’t perfect, but they are worth checking out if you have the time.

Are any of the lounges worth paying to get access to?

Unless it’s non-peak hours, no. I don’t think so. FYI, I define non-peak hours as 5 to 6 AM, 2 to 4 pm, and 7 to 8 pm. All three lounges are generally quiet during those times, but for the majority of the day they are loud and chaotic and it’s not worth paying for IMHO. You’ll be able to find a much quieter and more relaxing spot out in the main terminal instead.

Which lounge has the best food?

It certainly isn’t the Aspire lounge. Unfortunately, the United Club and Sky Club aren’t much better. However, if I was being threatened and I had to make and on-the-spot decision, I’d choose the Sky Club. The food in there isn’t great but, it is slightly less sucky than the other two.

Which lounge is the noisiest?

All three San Diego Airport lounges have a tendency to get loud and busy during certain hours of the day. However, I’ve never been able to find a quiet spot in the Aspire lounge. Ever. Part of the reason for this, I’m sure, is because it’s basically a single room with very few walled-off sections to block the noise.

Are there any plans to build a lounge in Terminal 2 East?

Not at the time of this writing. Terminal 2 East is very space constrained, and there’s no available real estate at the moment to build another lounge.

Are there any plans to build lounges in Terminal 1?

Yes – they are coming soon! Terminal 1 is currently in the process of being rebuilt from the ground up. Once complete (sometime in 2025), it’s very likely that there will be two to three lounges to choose from. I can’t wait!