I recently had the best cup of shellfish chowder I’ve ever had– and as a New Englander born and bred, that is saying something. Yet, sadly, I may never have it again. I enjoyed that perfectly seasoned, silky soup, packed with clams and lobster, at a preview of Logan International Airport’s new Delta One Lounge.
Even the Mass Pike looks sexy from the Delta One Lounge.
Delta Air Lines“The star of the show is the food,” says Claude Roussel, who oversees the airline’s network of more than 50 Delta Sky Clubs. The Delta One Lounge —the airline’s third— is an exclusive section of the airline’s Concourse E Sky Club reserved for passengers with a same-day Delta One ticket (Delta’s first class) and a select group of other lucky high-fliers.
While the Delta One locations at LAX and JFK offer everything from massage chairs to nap pods, space constraints and passenger volume made a high-end restaurant the best option for Boston. Conceptualized by Chef Ed Brown, long recognized for his expertise with seafood, the intent is to allow first class passengers to experience New England fine dining through a three-course meal served in less than an hour.
A subtle nautical nod mixes with Art Deco in this exclusive restaurant.
Delta Air LinesIt makes sense – the lounge is tucked into the vibrant red swoop atop Logan’s year-old international terminal, with many flights that leave in the evening. Because of that, the Delta One lounge doesn’t open until 2 p.m.
“If you’re flying from Boston to Europe, that flight is only about six hours,” notes Roussel. “By enjoying an incredible meal before you depart, you now have that time back in-flight to sleep or relax as you choose.”
Cozy and conversational seating is perfect for lingering — or dining on the go.
Delta Air LinesThe 6,700-square-foot space feels like an exclusive supper club, anchored by a vast oval bar surrounded by stools padded with blue leather. A billowing ceiling above tilts to look like a ship’s sails, an homage to the USS Constitution floating just across the harbor. Beyond the bar, a mix of tables sit in intimate conversational arrangements, surrounded by original art inspired by Boston’s harborside history. An obscure, yet utterly delicious, grower Champagne from Charles De Cazanove is poured by the glass—and the cellar list offers cult splits like Louis Latour Chassagne-Montrachet and Cos D'Estournel Bordeaux Red Blend that guests can purchase with cash or miles.
The sleek bar counter also encircles a gleaming plancha – the centerpiece of the kitchen where chefs prepare a rotating fish of the day, along with elevated seafood dishes like a warm Maine lobster roll, octopus carpaccio and cod Milanese. “The counter is beautiful,” says Julian Alonzo, a well-regarded chef who is on the opening team for the new lounge. “It’s one of my favorite counters I’ve ever worked at.”
I'll always have the memory of that perfect chowder — and its tiny companion lobster roll.
JOCThis Boston-only dining experience comes on the heels of the airline partnering with Shake Shack to allow first class outbound Boston customers on routes over 900 miles to pre-select a Shake Shack Cheeseburger as their meal option. Reports are that the collab is a big success, and the airline has plans for expansion to other U.S. markets throughout 2025.
In addition to the lounge, Delta One guests have access to the BOS-E Delta Sky Club, featuring soundproof booths (including ADA-accessible options) for private chats, and second monitors if you need to plug in. The club also offers six shower suites with towels, bathrobes, slippers, and Grown Alchemist bath products.
Delta plans more expansion in Boston for 2025. New service from Boston to Barcelona and Milan will start in May – a part of the airline’s largest transatlantic schedule ever.
“Boston is an important and highly competitive market for us,” Roussel says. “We’re committed to deepening our ties in Boston and growing our network from this hub. This lounge will help us do that.”
