A s I mentioned in this article from yesterday, I had the honor and pleasure of being invited to the official ribbon cutting event at the new Delta Sky Club, which is located near gate B18 adjacent to the food court near the main escalators on Concourse B at the international airport which serves the greater Atlanta metropolitan area.
70 Photographs of the New Delta Sky Club on Concourse B in Atlanta? What Was I Thinking?!?
As is always a problem with me, I took too many photographs — 304, to be exact — but in an attempt to impart to you what to expect from your experience in it when you decide to visit, I pared them down to 70 photographs of the new Sky Club, which is set to open to the public on Friday, September 23, 2016.
Don’t say that I did not warn you.
Ready? Then let us begin.
Outer Entrance
On your way up near the top of one of the escalators, you can see through a window just how large is this particular Sky Club, as it is suspended over the tarmac by 455 tons of steel trusses, beams and cantilevers two stories above the main concourse level.
The outside of the new Delta Sky Club is visible from the main escalators as you enter Concourse B. Note the asymmetric design of the windows, whose tops are not parallel with the ceiling and are instead angled — in a way suggesting that once you walk in, your experience is going to be unlike Sky Clubs in the past.
Shall we enter? You know we will, as there are still 67 photographs to see — unless I mistakenly excessively photographed the food court and the escalators on Concourse B,
Do not let these signs deter you. I have a pass. You can be my guest.
Inner Entrance
This exterior window is designed for some privacy, looking from inside the entrance out onto Concourse B.
You have a choice of taking either an elevator or the stairs up two flights to the Sky Club…
…but once you pass this sign and look up…
…you might think twice about taking the stairs — unless you are in the mood for a quick workout.
Going down is much easier.
Here is a view of the vestibule from the stairs.
Here is a view of the vestibule from higher up the stairs.
These giant destination tags — constructed of metal — hang on the wall over one of the landings.
At the top — whether you take the elevator or stairs — three portraits greet you. The man in those stylized portraits is none other than Collett Everman Woolman, who was the first chief executive officer of Delta Air Lines and one of the four founders of what was originally known as Delta Air Service.
Artwork adorns the long corridor — affectionately known as The Gallery — from the elevator and stairs to the Sky Club. It is here where artwork from seven galleries in Atlanta and other local artists is featured; and the works will be on a rotating exhibit at least three times per year as part of a curated art program showcasing inspiring work from emerging artists and local galleries.
Awaiting you at the end of the corridor are desks where you can check in for admission into the Sky Club.
This is a full view of the check in area, which is equipped with six computer stations designed to reduce lines at what is expected to be a very popular Sky Club.
I have already checked in for us downstairs; so we can continue.
This is what you see before entering the actual Sky Club.
Sky Club Overall
The first thing you notice when you enter this Sky Club is how massive it is, as it can seat 500 people.
With 24,914 square feet in space, this new Delta Sky Club at Concourse B is the second largest in the system, with the Sky Club at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York being the largest.
To put how large this Sky Club is in context, it not only bridges over the entire Concourse B lengthwise; but it also extends out over the tarmac, as seen in an earlier photograph. This means that anyone traveling down the corridor of Concourse B will most likely go underneath this Sky Club.
I doubt that there will be a four-piece band playing in this Sky Club during regular operating hours.
This view from the west set of windows looking to the east set of windows shows that the latest iteration of the Delta Sky Club cuts back on the recent ultra-modern white decor and incorporates more color and materials — as well as a variety of more practical and comfortable furniture than its predecessors — which has the lounge experience approach the level of world-class.
Its modern design features tiered ceilings bracketed by massive windows with expansive views of the airport and of downtown Atlanta — perfect for “planespotting” with views of the runways as well as the tarmac — with a chance to experience incredible sunrises and sunsets.
This is a closer view of one of the many light fixtures which line the counter adjacent to the large windows.
This is a view inside of the washroom for men, which features an illuminated wall.
The sinks seems to resemble troughs; and there is little room to wash hands under the automated faucets without touching the “basin” of the sink. I am not fond of this design of sink and is one of the few negative aspects pertaining to this Sky Club. The washroom is supplied with lime hand wash and vitamin B5 hand lotion, both by Malin+Goetz.
For the private event, there were two stations where you could vote on the next Delta Sky Club cocktail — after you sampled them, of course.
This self service drink area is isolated from the rest of the bar area — more on that later in this article — and is missing lemonade.
You will notice in many of the photographs just how many electrical power outlets and USB ports abound in this Sky Club — a welcome feature in the connected world of today — and the art work and the furniture complement each other…
…which of course leads to…
Furniture and Art Work
Much of the artwork hanging on the walls represents iconic buildings and landmarks of the city of Atlanta — including Ebenezer Baptist Church; the Varsity; the legendary Plaza Theater; and Mary Mac’s Tea Room.
Here is a little trivia: the Plaza Theater is where my big screen debut as an actor occurred, showing a film in which I starred in the lead role. That was a moment I will never forget.
Unlike those red seats with the tall walls which isolate the person who sat in one, these new seats are far more comfortable — notice the lower back supports — and have a small fixed table to separate two people. These seats still evoke some privacy while encouraging being social with other people — and they are equipped with both electrical power outlets and USB ports.
René deLambert of Renés Points models just how thoughtful is the design of the seats with the high walls: the walls are the perfect height for many people to lean against with their arms — and because they are cushioned and are a couple of inches wide, leaning on them is actually rather comfortable.
Note the smile on René’s — no, that apostrophe does not seem to visually work with the accent — face at being so comfortable leaning on one of those seats.
Even the small round tables have at least two sets of both electrical power outlets and USB ports — and when I say two sets, that means that there is another set on the other side of this table which you cannot see.
These small portable white tables are quite heavy — good for sturdiness but a minor impediment for moving one — so proceed with caution if you plan on moving one.
Five different kinds of seating are included in this photograph — each with their own purpose.
Alexi Torres signs reproductions of the mural which he created and is behind him; and anyone could take a copy enclosed in a protective white cardboard tube.
This photograph shows the entire mural on display behind the Cuban-born artist.
In the foreground is a conference table — complete with banks of electrical power outlets and USB ports — and in the background are these funky red chairs with armrests which resemble wings.
A serpentine seating area loosely separates the bar area from the rest of the Sky Club.
Bar Area
The counter of the bar is stocked with five types of candies and snacks in long clear tube dispensers; and in the small jar just to the right of the napkins was some sort of “gummy” candy. Fresh fruit is on display as well.
There are plenty of beverages and condiments to satisfy the thirstiest patron at the long counter of this bar, which is equipped with three large flat-screen televisions. Down at the end on the right is the “wine wall.” More on the “wine wall” in a moment.
This is another view of the well-stocked bar.
Andrea Robinson — who is one of only 147 master sommeliers currently in the world — offered me some wine to taste after showing me the self-service “wine wall” stocked with premium bottles of wine available for purchase which she personally curated. I sheepishly replied that I do not drink alcoholic beverages. “That’s all right!” she said; and we had a good laugh after that — but I thanked her and told her that I appreciate the offer.
When nighttime falls, the “mood lighting” underneath the counter of the bar is emphasized – creating a sort of nightclub effect to encourage socialization amongst patrons.
You can help yourself to lemonade — which was quite delicious, I must admit — iced tea and cucumber mint infused water on the left end of the bar area. To the immediate right of this area is a soda machine which contained assorted flavors of soft drinks.
Food
The food prepared by acclaimed Atlanta chef Linton Hopkins included a prosciutto type of ham, cheese macarons, two types of brownies, and cotton candy on a plastic fork.
Salads are provided by Goldberg’s Bagel Company and Deli — which is a local chain of delicatessen restaurants in Atlanta — and although the food they provided was good, I unfortunately would not recommend them for traditional delicatessen fare such as pastrami.
Salads included a pesto chicken salad, a red potato salad, and a super food pasta salad, which contained kale, shaved brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, cherry tomatoes, dried cranberries, carrots, feta cheese, sunflower seeds, and a lemon herb vinaigrette.
This table had oatmeal cranberry cookies; chocolate cookies with chocolate candies baked in them; pasta in melted cheese; and a choice of tomato soup or a Thai chicken and rice soup.
Attendees help themselves to the aforementioned food, as the expanded food and beverage offerings ensure that you do not leave the Sky Club dissatisfied.
People
Ed Bastian and René deLambert — the current chief executive officer of Delta Air Lines and the founder and author of Renés Points, respectively — smile for a photograph.
The sun shines through one of the upper windows of the Sky Club as René deLambert and Ed Bastian have a conversation.
Please accept my apologies, René — but I had to show just how adamant you were about imparting to Ed Bastian your point pertaining to what you call You Board You Lose for this article you wrote.
Alexi Torres and Glen Hauenstein — who is the current president of Delta Air Lines — engage in a conversation.
Linton Hopkins conversed with attendees and answered questions.
Grace Sewell — who is better known mononymously as Grace and hails from Brisbane in Australia — performed a cover version of the song You Don’t Own Me, which was originally performed by Lesley Gore as her last top ten hit. Here is a little trivia for you: Grace may be 19 years old; but Leslie Gore was only 17 years old when the song charted at number two on the Billboard Pop Singles Chart in the United States back in 1963.
Andrea Robinson watched Grace perform what has become a hit single for her.
Views
This view faces south; and is one of many views of the airport which you can enjoy through the windows from inside the Sky Club at Concourse B.
Look carefully in the background and you can see the buildings of the city of Atlanta — as well as the world headquarters of Delta Air Lines. I intend to post a separate article of the views.
René deLambert relaxes and enjoys the view of the tarmac and of Concourse C — but whatever he is thinking, you can bet he is not contemplating becoming a passenger of Southwest Airlines on his next flight.
As night falls and the lights are turned on, the views from the Sky Club are no less interesting.
Sunset
The first hint that you know you will be treated to an incredible sunset is when the sun peeks through one of the upper windows of the Sky Club.
Attendees choose their cocktails as the sun sets over the airport behind them.
One woman decides to photograph the sunset; and she is far from the only person to do so. It is a good thing that I do not take photographs of sunsets.
A couple enjoys a quiet moment alone as the sun sets behind one of the control towers operated by Delta Air Lines at the airport.
The lights in the Sky Club are on, with the sunset as a backdrop.
René deLambert takes a photograph of the sunset to be included in this article at Renés Points.
Summary
Well, I did promise you that this article would have more photographs than any other article of the new Delta Sky Club at Concourse B at the international airport which serves the greater Atlanta metropolitan area.
I found myself using the term world class when describing this spacious and well-appointed Sky Club. I have been to many of them — including all of the ones in Atlanta — and the only other lounge offering by Delta Air Lines which would rival this is the old Business elite lounge on Concourse E before it was revamped. This Sky Club is a significant improvement over previous versions, in my opinion.
You will not find an outdoor space similar to the Sky Deck located at the Sky Club on Concourse F; nor will you find shower facilities, as this Sky Club is located on Concourse B and is not used by passengers of long-haul flights. Delta Air Lines typically uses smaller airplanes on Concourse B — such as the McDonnell Douglas MD-88 and DC-9 as two of many examples — which hold fewer passengers than the larger airplanes, which means that the gates on Concourse B experience a higher turnover rate with more shorter haul flights per gate.
My actual experience as a gate agent for the morning on Concourse B for Delta Air Lines taught me that information first hand.
That this Sky Club can seat 500 people significantly reduces the chance of overcrowding which was experienced by the two smaller Sky Clubs located on Concourse B, which are now permanently closed.
Most notably, there are literally hundreds of power outlets — both electrical and USB — so wherever you sit, you can be assured that you are never too far away from one to power your portable electronic devices so that you can listen to music or work…
…assuming that you are not too distracted by the incredible views provided by the expansive windows surrounding much of this Sky Club, which could have you staring outside for hours — day or night.
All photographs ©2016 by Brian Cohen.
