As an avid traveler, I’m always looking for the best areas to relax in-between flights without the hustle and bustle of public seating areas. I had the chance to visit the new American Express Centurion Lounge in the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport last week. The lounge opened on February 14th, and is the network’s largest lounge area to date.
The lounge is located in Concourse E near gate E11. Those familiar with ATL know there are a handful of Delta Sky Club Lounges at ATL, now making Amex the only credit card issuer with a lounge at ATL. Like other Centurion lounges, there is complimentary Wi-Fi, comfortable and stylish seating areas, work stations, phone booths, and private restrooms and showers. This lounge is especially unique with its outdoor terraces overlooking the air field and the Centurion Network’s first Whiskey bar.
Amex’s Centurion Lounges are notorious for dedicating their style and design to the location they are set in. The new lounge is no different, inspired by Atlanta being affectionately known as “the city in the forest.” The lounge is full of greenery, including a 50 year old olive tree and dozens of lucious, green plants around the seating areas.
In the main seating area, the ceiling is decorated with a giant custom-made light fixture, meant to replicate the cover of a forest canopy. The outdoor terrace areas are equipped with heaters and fans, for year-round use, and offer an up-front seat of departing and arriving flights on the tarmac.
Out of respect of the city of Atlanta, local artists were commissioned to create original artwork for the lounge. On display is a textural interpretation of American Express’ first mascot, the watchdog by Lucha Rodríguez and a large-scale multimedia piece by Michi Meko that is inspired by Georgia’s landscape. Additionally, a 60-foot mural stretches from the dining area to the terrace of abstract leaf-like shapes, painted by Evan Blackwell Helgeson.
The dining option in the lounge is run by Chef Deborah VanTrece, owner of local Atlanta restaurants Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours, Oreatha’s At The Point and La Panarda. Chef VanTrece has focused the menu on modern, global soul foods. As a former flight attendant, Chef VanTrece has taken her flavorful experiences from around the world and brought them all to one place. The menu includes dishes like Black Eyed Pea Biryani, Za’atar Grilled Chicken Thighs with Green Tomato Chimichurri, and Twisted Soul Salad with Strawberry Peppercorn Vinaigrette. The dining area also offers a food and beverage station with gluten free and vegan options.
The Reserve, the lounge’s first whiskey bar, prides itself with a cocktail menu curated by award-winning mixologist Jim Meehan. The menu features five specialty whiskey cocktails. If you’re not into cocktails, the bar also offers over 20 traditional and new American whiskeys. The lounge also features 10 wines hand-selected by sommelier and Centurion Lounge Wine Director Anthony Giglio, a local cocktail menu including non-alcoholic options, and Centurion Lounge signature drinks.
The lounge was spacious and a nice option for Atlanta travelers. In recent months, the Delta Sky lounges have been extremely overcrowded with wait lines to enter especially in the International Terminal E. All you need is your Platinum American Express, The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, or the Black Card and a boarding pass to enter the lounge.