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Editorial Disclosure
Alaska Airlines is opening a brand-new lounge in Portland that’ll quickly become the nicest premium outpost in the airport.
The 14,000-square-foot space is suspended on an open-air mezzanine level above the new departures area.
From the moment you step inside, there’s a lot to love.
In fact, it won’t take long for Alaska flyers passing through Portland to realize just how big an upgrade this is. (All of the old Alaska lounges in Portland close when the new space opens on June 4.)
Alaska Lounge Portland access
The new lounge follows the same access policy as every other Alaska lounge.
Alaska offers two membership tiers: Lounge for $595 a year and Lounge+ for $795 a year. Both include access to this space. (The big difference is partner lounge access.)
Certain elites can also get in on qualifying itineraries:
- Atmos Gold, Platinum, and Titanium members traveling on a same-day international itinerary to a destination outside the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean
- American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Executive Platinum members on an eligible international itinerary
- Non-U.S. Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald elites on a same-day Oneworld flight, with no international requirement
Alaska is also unique in admitting domestic first-class flyers on flights longer than 2,000 miles. (This doesn’t apply to upgraded tickets.)
Otherwise, first-class flyers can buy discounted $35 day passes, and everyone else pays $65, subject to availability.
The easiest way in is with the right credit card. The Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® offers up to eight lounge passes a year (two per calendar quarter), good on same-day Alaska or other Oneworld partner flights.
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® also gets you in when flying same-day Alaska or American.
Just note that access is limited to primary cardholders, and you’ll need to present a physical card to get inside.
The lounge is open daily from 4:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Alaska Lounge Portland location
The new lounge sits between concourses B and C in the central departures area.
If you’re departing Portland, clear security at the B/C checkpoint and look up.
You can’t miss the “Alaska Lounge” logo in large letters across the glass walls.
You’ll enter at ground level, passing through a stunning lobby featuring a custom Mt. Hood mural by Pacific Northwest artist Ben Butler.
Take the stairs or elevator up one level to reach the reception desk.
Alaska Lounge Portland layout
The lounge spreads across a single level above the main departures hall, and there’s no shortage of seating.
Alaska says it has room for 220 flyers, which Shane Jones, the carrier’s senior vice president of fleet, products, and guest experience, told me should be enough to prevent overcrowding.
“I will tell you what we’re not going to be. We’re not going to be a carrier that has 45-minute wait times to get into a lounge,” Jones said.
Personally, I’m a big fan of the side room with brown leather recliners overlooking the airfield.
I also love the large relaxation area with a fireplace at the center and seating wrapped around it.
That’s where you’ll find nine of Alaska’s signature loungers — probably the most popular place for travelers to unwind in any Alaska lounge.
There’s plenty of seating along the perimeter overlooking the terminal, too.
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It ranges from banquette-style tables to formal dining tables (in a dark green inspired by the carrier’s new global livery), bench seating, and a long counter of high-tops at the back.
The lounge has two central hubs — the wraparound buffet and the bar.
I’d expect both to get busy at peak times, so I’d suggest tucking into a corner of one of the relaxation areas with your food and drinks instead.
The design itself feels like it was pulled straight from Portland and the Pacific Northwest.
Between the wood trim, the dark gold sconces, and the deep blues, this is easily one of the most visually appealing lounges in Alaska’s portfolio.
Alaska Lounge Portland dining
If you’re looking to refuel, the lounge offers a new elevated dining program (in partnership with Sodexo Live).
I visited during breakfast and was especially impressed by the smoked salmon board (that’s my inner Jewish New Yorker talking) and the leek quiche.
The grab-and-go bakery selection rotates throughout the day, and I loved the blueberry scones so much that I grabbed seconds.
There’s also a handful of elevated snack towers in glass containers, featuring mixed nuts, chocolate-covered animal crackers, Rold Gold pretzels (my favorite) and Jelly Belly candies.
Of course, this is an Alaska lounge, which means there are also pancake machines.
For drinks, there’s a self-serve station with two water dispensers, a soda fountain, and plenty of Stumptown Coffee Roasters machines to whip up your favorite caffeinated beverage.
At the bar, you’ll find a selection of complimentary and premium wines, beers, and cocktails.
I love that Alaska gives its top-tier Summit cardholders access to an exclusive cocktail — the bourbon-based Summit Sunset, which was quite refreshing.
All in all, Alaska’s dining experience is giving the Delta Sky Club (the reigning airline lounge champ) a run for its money.
Alaska Lounge Portland amenities
For a membership lounge, Alaska did a good job with a range of thoughtful amenities.
For starters, there are four Pillar-branded phone booths, including one that’s ADA-compliant.
There’s a set of gender-specific restrooms back by the relaxation area.
The men’s room had just one urinal and three stalls — which felt a touch undersized — but the bathrooms are probably the nicest in the entire airport.
There are also two gender-neutral single-use restrooms on the other side of the lounge.
Power outlets, USB-A and USB-C ports are available at nearly every seat. You might just have to check the side or underneath to find them.
Password-protected Wi-Fi is available throughout.
You won’t find showers here, which makes sense given that Alaska doesn’t fly long-haul out of Portland.
Alaska Lounge Portland bottom line
Alaska’s new Portland lounge is worth the wait.
The space feels bright, airy, and on-brand for its Pacific Northwest home.
On its own, this is a lounge worth visiting. Even more so when you consider how cramped and tired the carrier’s existing outposts are.
Now all eyes turn to Seattle, Alaska’s primary hub, which is next in line for a major upgrade with the 41,000-square-foot “landmark” lounge opening next year.
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