Stylish new Air France lounge debuts at LAX featuring a spa and exclusive area for first-class passengers

Air France is set to unveil a new lounge at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) located in the Tom Bradley International Terminal this Friday.

The airline first revealed its intentions for the LAX lounge a year ago, alongside the announcement of its renovated lounge at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), but has since remained tight-lipped on specifics.

TPG attended the preview event for the new Air France Lounge at LAX on Thursday evening, just before it opens to the public on Friday. Here’s what travelers can look forward to.

Entrance to the Air France Lounge at LAX

The Air France Lounge at LAX will operate every day from 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Travelers flying in international business class or first class on Air France, KLM, Delta Air Lines, and other SkyTeam airlines are eligible for lounge access, along with SkyTeam Elite Plus members (comparable to Delta Gold Medallion or higher) holding a same-day boarding pass for a SkyTeam flight.

This summer, Air France will run three to four flights daily (up to 26 per week) from Los Angeles to its hub at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), while KLM will provide two non-stop flights daily from LAX to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS). Expect peak activity between 12 p.m. and 9 p.m., just before the main wave of departures.

Remember, Air France also operates flights between LAX and Faaa International Airport (PPT) in French Polynesia five days a week (Sunday to Wednesday and Friday), allowing passengers on these routes to access the lounge as well.

Unlike some other Air France lounges across the U.S., such as those at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Washington's Dulles International Airport (IAD), and Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), the LAX lounge does not accept Priority Pass, which should help mitigate the overcrowding issues faced by other lounges.

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Air France Lounge location at LAX

The new Air France Lounge at LAX is located in the Tom Bradley International Terminal's Midfield Satellite Concourse, near gates 201-225.

To reach the lounge, travelers must go through security and take an underground walkway (accessible via elevators and escalators) from the main terminal area to the midfield concourse, which takes about 10 minutes.

Upon arrival, guests can use an elevator to ascend to the lounge on the sixth floor, two levels above the departure gates.

Staff members are available to help guests check in, set against a wall adorned with the airline's logo, featuring a flying seahorse, or hippocampe aile.

Air France Lounge layout at LAX

The new lounge is the airline's largest in North America, spanning 11,883 square feet and accommodating up to 172 guests at once.

Why such a spacious lounge? "The decision to open a lounge at LAX was quite straightforward," explained Zoran Jelkic, the senior vice president for Air France-KLM long-haul operations. "Alongside KLM, Air France operates seven flights daily from LAX, making it our second-largest hub in North America after JFK."

The lounge features several unique zones and was crafted by SGK Brandimage, a branding firm that has partnered with Air France on lounge and aircraft cabin designs for over two decades.

"The lounge embodies the brand's identity... and signifies a substantial investment," Jelkic shared with TPG. "It serves to promote our cultural values... what we refer to as l'art de vivre, which includes our culinary offerings."

Guests will notice vibrant touches of blue, white, and red—the colors of Air France and the French flag—throughout the lounge, designed to evoke the feeling of having arrived in France (or returning home for French travelers) before their flight, as noted by Jelkic.

The decor showcases furniture by renowned French designers, featuring orb-like lighting by Margaux Keller, whimsical red "Ribbon" armchairs by Pierre Paulin, elegantly shaped coffee tables from Charlotte Perriand, and flowing "Ester" chairs by Patrick Jouin, initially created for celebrated French chef Alain Ducasse's restaurant at The Dorchester in London.

To the left of the entrance lies the cocktail bar, equipped with high stools and cozy living room-style seating across from it. Additionally, there is a private booth available for those needing to make phone calls.

In addition, there are various seating areas, including a general lounge featuring low-profile navy-blue and powder-blue armchairs arranged in inviting groupings.

Some of the chairs also come with small modular work surfaces attached for added convenience.

A spacious central area surrounds a column, featuring dark blue banquettes and ottomans, perfect for larger gatherings.

Guests will discover numerous charging options—including universal power sockets, USB-A, and USB-C ports—scattered throughout the seating areas to keep their devices powered up.

The lounge features a brasserie-style dining area with booths positioned by the windows, offering views of the tarmac, along with a large communal table for both solo travelers and groups.

Adjacent to the dining space is a semi-private alcove equipped with a selection of armchairs reserved for Flying Blue's invitation-only Club 2000 customers and elite members of Flying Blue Ultimate. Although compact, this area provides a cozy retreat during peak times when the lounge gets busier.

Guests can relax on sofas and chairs with ottomans for a quick nap or a meditation session in the quiet room, located in a private corner of the lounge, just past reception and close to the showers.

Passengers in La Premiere, or first class, along with the airline's ultra-VIP Hippocampe guests, have access to a special room designed just for them. Inspired by the La Premiere cabins onboard, it features a calming ivory color scheme, luxurious armchairs, several dining tables, and a view of one of the gates Air France usually operates from. This space can host up to 12 guests at once.

Amenities offered at the Air France Lounge at LAX

One of the standout features of the Air France Lounge is its Clarins Spa, available at several of the airline's other lounges, including the one at JFK and the lounge in Hall L of Terminal 2E at Charles de Gaulle as well as another in Terminal 2F. The spa is set to open in September, operating daily from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The LAX location features two treatment rooms and offers complimentary 20-minute facial treatments on a first-come, first-served basis (so make sure to sign up as soon as you arrive!).

Lounge visitors can choose from three themed facials: the "anti jetlag," the "instant detox," and the "illuminating eye care," each using Clarins' signature massage techniques along with the brand's plant extract-infused products.

Passengers in La Premiere can pre-book their treatments, including an exclusive "de-stress" experience, by calling a dedicated customer service number. No paid treatments are available.

If you can't secure a spa appointment but still wish to freshen up, the lounge offers two shower cubicles featuring walk-in showers with bathing benches stocked with Clarins products, spacious sink areas for grooming, and private toilets. These facilities are also available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The restroom area features private unisex stalls, with several being wheelchair accessible.

In addition, the lounge will provide complimentary Wi-Fi, though it was not operational during the launch event. Fortunately, the free Wi-Fi offered by LAX functioned well, delivering a strong signal.

Dining and beverages at the Air France Lounge at LAX

The Air France Lounge at LAX features a variety of food and beverage options aimed at distinguishing it from competitors, showcasing French cuisine and presentations that embody "l'art de la table," as noted by Jelkic.

Guests can primarily enjoy a selection of buffet stations offering items like fresh fruit, pastries, cereals, and yogurt in the morning, along with a self-serve coffee and tea bar.

In the afternoons and evenings, patrons can look forward to light fare such as cheeses, cured meats, salads, finger sandwiches, quiches, and an assortment of desserts including chocolate mousse and rice pudding, as well as more substantial French dishes like beef bourguignon, braised chicken, and monkfish à la provençale.

One of the most thrilling aspects of this lounge is its open cooking station, where chefs whip up French-inspired treats such as made-to-order sweet and savory crepes, sautéed prawns, and a rich Languedoc-style cassoulet featuring duck confit.

Guests can glide over to the stylish blue bar or take a seat on one of the sleek white stools to savor a glass of Lanson Champagne, along with a selection of French and California wines like Clos Cantenac Petit Cantenac Bordeaux and M. Chapoutier Meysonniers Crozes-Hermitage Blanc. They can also enjoy local L.A. brews such as Golden Road Mango Cart Wheat, refreshing mocktails, and signature cocktails including the French 75, an olive-oil martini, and the Jazz Cat, made with Lanson Champagne, Chartreuse, Aperol, orange and grapefruit juice, and lemon bitters.

Visitors to the La Premiere lounge can indulge in an a la carte menu featuring delights such as French lobster bisque, filet mignon accompanied by roasted beets and zucchini in a port reduction, grilled vegetables with figs served on couscous, along with a variety of cheeses and desserts. The wine selection is equally impressive, offering choices like the 2013 Piper-Heidsieck Rare Brut Champagne, Margaux du Chateau Margaux 2015 from Bordeaux, and the 2021 Domaine Faiveley Montagny Domaine, among others.

Eco-conscious guests will be pleased to know that the lounge has optimized its food service and waste disposal processes to minimize waste. It features drink dispensers and water fountains, allowing visitors to refill their own bottles, thereby cutting down on single-use plastics.

Conclusion

Considering the significance of the Los Angeles market for Air France, it was high time the airline launched a lounge at LAX, marking its sixth establishment in the U.S.

This lounge is likely to become one of the most frequented spots at the airport due to its size, diverse amenities, and the extensive number of flights operated by Air France and its SkyTeam partners from Tom Bradley.

Should you decide to visit, be sure to allocate ample time to fully experience its offerings, including the live cooking station and the Clarins Spa.