Delta's Outdoor Decks Offer Fresh Air Before Taking to the Skies

by  Maryrose Mullen | Feb 28, 2013
Delta airlines plane in sky
Delta airlines plane in sky / VanderWolf-Images/iStock

In the harried chaos of airports, a frequent-flier lounge is a veritable oasis. Several airlines offer passengers quiet corners to unwind before takeoff, where they can enjoy drinks, WiFi, and a bit of peace. A drawback is many lounges, though secluded, don’t offer much in the way of views. If you’re lucky enough to find a spot with a window, the most you can hope to see is a small patch of the runway or an abandoned luggage cart. Plus, as much as you’d love to crack open that window a smidge, you still won’t get a whiff of fresh air until touchdown. Delta Air Lines will change that with plans to construct lounges that offer all their standard luxuries, and more.

Delta has announced plans to build outdoor terraces, known as Sky Decks, that will be outfitted at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York and the new international terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The efforts are part of Delta’s ongoing renovation of passenger clubs over the past two years. The carrier has opened or refurbished lounges in Los Angeles, Indianapolis, Seattle, and others.

Sky Decks will have a living-room atmosphere, equipped with lounge chairs, power outlets, and red overhead awnings to provide shade. The biggest selling point is, naturally, the setting. The Atlanta Sky Deck will be an extension of the hub’s existing Sky Club and will allow fliers to get up close and personal with aircrafts from around the world. The JFK Sky Deck, slated to open this May, will be constructed on the airport’s roof, where travelers can enjoy sweeping views of Jamaica Bay.

Delta is not the first carrier to incorporate Mother Nature into their luxury lounges. Virgin Australia gives passengers access to an outdoor area known as The Deck at their Gold Coast location, while airports in Amsterdam, Honolulu, and Long Beach, Calif. each offer landscaped outdoor areas to all passengers. Nonetheless, if you’re gearing up for a long flight, an hour or two of fresh air is a welcome respite.

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