Travel Review - New Delta SkyClub Chicago O’Hare Terminal 5

It is widely known that Terminal 5 at ORD is essentially airline lounge desert with no good options when it comes to lounge access before your flight. To be honest, the lounges and number of lounges considering the volume of International flights from T5 are absolutely terrible.

It was certainly welcome news when Delta announced they were moving all ORD flights to Terminal 5 from Terminal 2 and opening their newest SkyClub 10/12/22. This was certainly positive for anyone flying on SkyTeam flight in business class or flying on a SkyTeam International flight or holding SkyTeam Elite Plus Status through a SkyTeam partner and flying internationally. (except of course unless you are a Delta Medallion Member and were affected by their drastic lounge access policy changes 2/2/23).

I was excited to try the new lounge on a recent trip to Mexico City on AeroMexico. I was surprisingly able to access the lounge with my ITA airways status which is technically SkyTeam Elite Plus (most airlines have not recognized ITA or elite members since they technically became part of SkyTeam almost a year and a half ago).

As soon as you walk into the lounge there is a large bar with a seating area and a service area. There was quite a large selection of complimentary beverages including beers and quality wines and liquors. This is a huge step up from the American Airlines Admirals Clubs I have been in.

Across from the bar is a large seating area with high back couches and tables. I was quite surprised at how quite the lounge was while visiting at 3pm on a Wednesday afternoon. Delta Sky Clubs have been notoriously overcrowded and many have had lines out the door over the last year, so perhaps the changes to accessibility have affected the volumes of people visiting.

At the buffet table there were a few hot items including jerk penne pasta

Jerk BBQ chicken

Mixed salads

As well as some desserts

I went with the chicken noodle soup, jerk chicken, and jerk chicken penne. Honestly it was some of the best lounge food, if not some of the best food I have ever had in an airport. It was all very fresh and very good. Even though this is just a standard lounge, the food was hands down better than many business class lounges or first class lounges I have visited around the world (except for maybe the Cathay Pacific Lounge at London Heathrow - the fresh steamed bao there is amazing)

Past the main seating area and buffet is the drink station with a flavored water station

There is also a fountain coke product machine

As well as tea, lemonade, and coffee

Past the buffet there is a long walkway with more open seating along the side leading to the back of the lounge.

Towards the back of the lounge there is another large bar along with a bunch of high top chairs and tables

To the left of the bar there is another area with a drink station, snacks, and a few more seating areas.

This is also where you will find the TV area with a 4 TV wall. Perfect if you happen to be traveling on a Sunday or during March Madness

Next to the bar they had a special pop up highlighting local flavors. In this instance, they had a Vienna Beef hot dog stand with Chicago dogs made to order. This was certainly a cool touch even though a hot dog wouldn’t be the first thing I would be looking for in a lounge.

This is another view of the back seating area

Here is a view of the back bar

There was also some grab and go candy and snacks in the back past the drink station.

Overall, I must say I am very impressed with the new SkyClub at ORD. There is a ton of space, quality food and drink, and just an overall quality feel to the space that rivals even some of the United Polaris Lounges or AA Flagship Lounges. Unfortunately,with the recent changes to access, it is becoming harder and harder to get access to the lounge. Hopefully next time you are flying out of Terminal 5 at O’Hare you too can experience the SkyClub as well. It really is a welcome change from the dull, terrible lounges that have always been in Terminal 5

Have you been? Share your thoughts in the comments below!