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If there’s one area where Delta’s flagship business-class experience consistently shines, it’s before you even take off.
In recent years, the airline has invested heavily in elevating the Delta One ground experience. It started with Delta One lounges, which are among the nicest airport lounges in the country. (Delta now operates four business-class-only lounges in Boston, Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle.)
Now, the airline is tackling another major pain point: the check-in experience.
Delta One check-in expands to more hubs
Delta has officially rolled out Delta One check-in areas at all of its hubs that offer long-haul business-class flights.
This means that if you’re flying in Delta One or in long-haul business class on select partner airlines, you’ll be invited to use a dedicated check-in facility at the following airports:
- Atlanta – International Terminal, inside Door 2
- Boston – Terminal E, level 2 departures, inside Door E205
- Detroit – McNamara Terminal, departures level, enter Door 4; Delta One sliding doors left of TSA and CLEAR
- New York/JFK – Terminal 4, departures level, Door B, steps from curb
- Los Angeles – Terminal 3, lower arrivals level near pillars 3F and 3G
- Minneapolis-St. Paul – across the road from terminal entrance, accessible via “Flex Lane” for departures, Door 8
- Salt Lake City – Main Terminal, level 1 / arrivals, enter Door L2; adjacent to TSA screening
- Seattle – Main Terminal, ground floor near departures drop‑off, Door 13
Delta One check-in is also open to the carrier’s invite-only Delta 360 members, regardless of which cabin they’re flying in.
Some of these facilities, like those in New York and Los Angeles, have been operational for many months. Others, including the locations in Salt Lake City and Seattle, opened much more recently.
At a minimum, all Delta One check-in areas offer a quieter, more private experience with dedicated agents and seating.
That said, there’s a noticeable difference in execution. The facilities in Atlanta, Boston, Salt Lake City, and Seattle are essentially partitioned spaces within the main terminal. (I haven’t yet seen the Minneapolis facility firsthand, but Thrifty Traveler’s pictures seem to confirm it’s similar to the aforementioned outposts.)
By contrast, the New York and Los Angeles check-in areas are purpose-built. Both feature private security screening that flows directly into the Delta One lounge, offering a far more seamless start to the journey.
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One notable omission from the list is New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA). That’s because Delta doesn’t operate any Delta One service from LGA. Still, given Delta’s focus on premium ground experience, I wouldn’t be surprised to eventually see a similar setup there for Delta 360 members.
Delta One expands to a new domestic route
Alongside the expanded check-in footprint, Delta is also upgrading one of its highest-profile domestic routes to Delta One service.
Beginning March 29, 2026, Delta will market the forward cabin on any wide-body flight between Atlanta and Los Angeles as Delta One.
The airline confirmed that Delta One passengers on this route will have access to the dedicated check-in areas in both Atlanta and Los Angeles, as well as entry to the Delta One Lounge at LAX.
Delta was already planning to deploy several wide-body aircraft with lie-flat seats on this route, so offering Delta One service and amenities isn’t that hard to execute.
While those amenities are a bit costlier, the carrier will likely recoup the investment by selling the cabin at higher fares. (Paid fares have jumped by about $100 to $400 since Delta made the switch, One Mile at a Time reported.)
Note that Delta will also market the premium economy cabin as Premium Select on this route.
Delta One lounges coming to all hubs
Delta currently operates four Delta One lounges, but the airline just officially confirmed that more are on the way.
Detroit and Minneapolis–St. Paul will get Delta One lounges in the coming years. These plans complement previously announced projects, including a Delta One Lounge in Atlanta, slated to open in 2028, and another in Salt Lake City, with an undisclosed opening date.
Taken together, Delta’s expanding lounge network and increasingly sleek check-in experience underscore the airline’s strategy: for its most premium customers, the trip should feel elevated from curb to gate.
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