Delta Air Lines passengers traveling through Chicago O’Hare International Airportmay notice a few changes after its launch at Terminal 5. Let's take a look.
A new home
Following a $50 million investment, the US legacy carrier shifted services away from its long-time home at Terminal 2, linking up with other SkyTeam and joint venture partners in Terminal 5 to simplify transfers. It comes as part of a $1 billion renovation to expand the terminal and update its infrastructure, with further airlines expected to make the move in the coming months.
The investment sees Delta implement much-needed technology, including new kiosks equipped with self-tagging and a self-service bag drop for a fully contactless experience, making the carrier the first international airline at O’Hare to offer such features.
“Delta remains committed to reimagining the entire travel journey, both on the ground and in the air,” noted Ranjan Goswami, Senior Vice President, Customer Experience Design.
“We’re making major terminal investments across the US to offer a better airport experience that feature more efficient check-ins, quicker connections and truly best-in-class lounge experiences.”
Head in the skies
Also situated within Terminal 5 is a new Delta Sky Club. At 22,000 square feet, the lounge is four times the size of its predecessor in Terminal 2, offering seating for up to 400 guests.
The modernist update slots in with Terminal 5’s makeover, boasting wrapped columns, stone countertops, custom furniture, and a curated Chicago-centric art gallery to give the space a luxurious but cozy ambiance. Like previous Sky Club lounges, O’Hare will feature an exceptional dining experience, with guests able to select from two buffets offering a mix of seasonal hot and cold entrées. The full-service bar will offer Sky Club’s usual selection of hard and soft beverages; however, O’Hare elevates this further, offering a first-of-its-kind Wine Bar with a range of premium whites and reds.
“Chicago is a global city that connects travelers to destinations all around the world, and we wanted to elevate our presence here to give our customers the premium experience they deserve,” added Claude Roussel, Managing Director for Delta Sky Club.
“Guests will find much to love in this new space – in addition to its amenities and stunning design, the T5 lounge offers one-of-a-kind experiences unique to our Club network.”
Club members may also notice an extra feature exclusive to O’Hare, with the lounge connecting to select boarding bridges for direct access to their flights.
Growing business
Terminal 5’s Sky Club is the latest in Delta’s drive to grow its premium lounge portfolio, and the fourth opened in 2022 following an international expansion at Tokyo Haneda Airport in July.
Delta’s latest location choice is relatively unsurprising, with the carrier operating over 40 peak daily departures to eight of its hubs across the continental United States. The airline is set to continue growing capacity out of O’Hare through 2022, with passenger numbers having already increased by 15% since spring.
This article originally appeared on Simple Flying