Gourmet Flyer The Star Alliance Lounge in Los Angeles LAX International Terminal is unique in a sense that it is not owned or branded by a specific airline, but by the umbrella under the Star Alliance, and serving passengers of all its partners. This is a perfect strategy for a large airport where many of its global partners operate flights to and from cities around the World. In this arrangement, each individual airline does not need to operate its own facilities and all eligible passengers are consolidated under one roof. This is my favorite haven away from the usually chaotic airport whenever I am flying ANA to Japan, EVA to Taiwan, or Lufthansa to Germany.
Table of Contents
- Location
- Access
- Seating Areas
- Lunch and All-Day Snacks
- Bar and Alcoholic Beverages
- Other Beverages
- Conclusion
Location
The Star Alliance Lounge at LAX is located in the Tom Bradley International Terminal, named after the city’s legendary former mayor from 1973 – 1993. It is now also known as Terminal B. As you exit from TSA security screening, follow signs to the gates which will lead you to the central atrium. The lounge is located on level 6 which is easily accessible by the set of two elevators under the famous clock tower.
Hours as of this writing are 7:30am – 12:00am.
Access
I took the above picture when the two agents stepped away for just a moment. But the two podiums are where the agents check passengers’ credentials for entry. As usual, the rules and policies governing airport lounge access are lengthy and complicated so please refer to the official website for detailed information.
In a very brief and incomplete summary, all partner airlines’ first and business class passengers on an international flight as well as Star Alliance Gold members on any partner flights and in any class of service are eligible for entry. United Club and Air Canada Maple Leaf Club members also have access if they are departing on a partner flight on the same day.
TIP: In LAX, Terminal B is connected airside to terminals 6, 7, and 8. It is about a 20-minute walk from Tom Bradley to a United gate in T-7.
Seating Areas
As you walk through the front doors, the main lobby area probably gives you an elegant look with hard wood floor, wood panel fixtures, and stylish sofas. It reflects a contemporary décor with a touch of sophistication.
The area surrounding the long buffet counter has the layout of a restaurant with two-tops or four-tops dining tables accompanied by high tops which serve as communal tables. This is the perfect space for eating a meal or even getting some work done on your laptop. Some of the tables have AC outlets under the booth sofas that line the wall, but the standalone tables in the middle area do not. All the high tops are equipped with AC and USB outlets.
As you walk out one of the two side glass doors you will find an indoor terrace with a chic design that provides a good view of the central atrium of the terminal. The atrium’s tall windows which extend to its dome shaped ceiling give this space a bright and cheerful atmosphere on a sunny day.
On the inner side of the crescent shaped terrace is a long and curved high top which used to be a bar. I think it can still be set up as a bar on very busy days, but most of the time, it is now used as a communal space.
The outdoor terrace is a gem on a beautiful day – which is most days in Southern California. It provides a panoramic view of the tarmac and aircraft traffic. The fire pit seating is great for both day and night. I think at night it exudes a charming and even romantic feeling.
Lunch and All-Day Snacks
At the LAX Star Alliance Lounge, hot entrées from the menu are usually brought out around 11am and available throughout the day. On a typical day they include a meat dish which is usually chicken, a vegetable side and a starch. On my most recent visits, they were, from left to right above, roasted asparagus, creamy Tuscan chicken with spinach and sundried tomatoes, and rice pilaf.
Above is one of my lunch plates with the day’s hot entrées.
There are various hot dishes on rotation and what you get largely depends on the day of your visit. One of my recent favorites is a tangy and moderately spicy Thai chicken.
Another major highlight of the club’s hot food menu is the Asian noodle bar. It is self-served and features a choice of rice or wheat noodles accompanied by chicken pho broth. The large selection of toppings includes chicken breast, roasted tofu, shiitake mushrooms, onion, chili peppers, edamame, shredded carrots, cilantro, etc.
The noodle bar is my wife’s favorite, and she tells me that the entire set up here is a lot better than the one at the United Club in T7 (and I agree). Above is one of her most recent creations.
If you are looking for soup, the pot is located right next to the broth for the Asian noodles. The two soups that have recently been on rotation are vegetarian minestrone and tomato basil.
A variety of wraps and sandwiches are served throughout the day. Shown above are chicken avocado wrap, caprese sandwich, and tuna wrap made with spinach flour tortilla.
The salads of the day from left to right are berry salad, pesto pasta, a blend of shredded carrots, kale, and broccoli, and Caesar salad.
Your meal is incomplete without dessert so don’t forget to grab some cheesecakes topped with whipped cream and a strawberry.
Strawberry mousse was also available on another recent visit.
Other snacks served throughout the day include fresh cut fruits, potato chips, pretzels, and muffins, among many other choices which vary from time to time. Hard boiled eggs and Chobani yogurt which are served during breakfast are left on the buffet for most of the day that I was there.
Cheese and cracker are not part of the main buffet counter, but has their own station placed separately next to the bar.
Bar and Alcoholic Beverages
Most alcoholic beverages in the LAX Star Alliance Lounge are self-served although they do have a bar (more on that later). At the far end of the long buffet counter is a fridge where all the bottled beers are available. They have two of my most favorite brews – Heineken and Samuel Adams – and I’m a happy man!
As you can see from the picture above, there are also bottles of wine, but they are just stored there. These bottles are not meant for you to open as there are plenty of opened ones in a separate counter (see below).
Above is the wine station, located around the same vicinity where the fridge is. I believe they rotate a variety of wines. On my recent few visits, I have seen the following:
White and Sparkling: Daou chardonnay, pinot grigio, Bonterra rosé, Zonin prosecco, Mumm sparkling brut, and Bouvet Signature brut.
Red: Oyster Bay merlot, Meiomi pinot noir, and a California cabernet sauvignon.
Near the bar and next to the glass door to the indoor terrace is another counter for self-served beers, wines, and liqueurs.
Last but not the least, they do have a full-service bar staffed with one or two bartenders, depending on how busy they get. The last time I was there, the bartender made a perfect Bloody Mary with just enough spiciness to give my palate a nice kick, but without being overwhelming. There are a few bar stools accompanied by two TVs if you like to sit there and watch some sports.
Other Beverages
If you’ve read this far, you probably notice that a lot of soft drinks are placed alongside the booze. As you can see a few pictures up above, a Coke machine is stationed right at the counter where the beers, wines, and liqueurs are served. In the tall fridge at the end of the buffet counter are where jugs of juices are stored. Not far from it is another Coke machine with a good variety of sodas. Immediately next to it is an espresso machine which is quite easy to operate. Water, teas, and other soft drinks are also scattered throughout different areas of this airport lounge.
Conclusion
I am happy to report in this review that the experience of my several recent visits to the Star Alliance Lounge at LAX Tom Bradley International Terminal has been very positive. While the buffet is certainly not a feast, it is adequate for passengers to grab a quick meal before a flight or during a connection. There is a diverse spectrum of food to suit almost everyone’s taste. The quality of the food is good, and I’ve always found them fresh and tasty. I also like the contemporary and chic design of the club which gives the place a touch of elegance and sophistication. It is a comfortable space to get some work done or just to eat, drink, and relax. During all my recent visits, the staff has been great, efficiently replenishing the buffet and diligently bussing and cleaning empty tables.
