How to use lounge access on a SkyTeam Round the World fare

Which flights qualify for SkyTeam lounge access?

For First and Business Class customers, SkyTeam allows lounge access on a same-day international flight operated by a SkyTeam member airline, or with same-day transfers between flights, domestic or international, operated by two SkyTeam members. [2]

Connecting itineraries carry an extra condition: both the domestic and the international flights must be operated by a SkyTeam member airline. [2] Customers travelling on domestic flights must have an itinerary that transfers from a domestic flight to an international flight, or runs domestic to domestic and is then followed by a transfer to an international flight. [2]

Access is provided at the departure and transfer airports only, and not on arrival at the destination. [2]

What cabin does each segment need to be booked in?

For connecting customers in the premium cabins, all segments need to be booked in First or Business Class. [2] A boarding pass for that cabin is presented to the lounge agent for validation before admission. [2] First and Business Class customers can enjoy access to the lounge at the departure airport at least three hours prior to their flight's scheduled departure time. [2]

SkyTeam Elite Plus is assessed separately from the cabin: eligible Elite Plus members have access regardless of the class they fly, when travelling on a same-day international flight operated by a SkyTeam member airline or with same-day transfers between two SkyTeam members. [2] Elite Plus customers connecting between two SkyTeam-operated flights keep access at the point of transfer, and present their boarding passes and a valid Elite Plus membership card. [2] On a domestic-only itinerary they may have access to select lounges. [2]

Where can you use SkyTeam lounges?

Beyond the airport rules, the practical details vary by carrier and by airport, and SkyTeam points travellers to its lounge finder for the specific location. [2] It is not currently possible to buy lounge access through skyteam.com. [2] Access to Virgin Atlantic's Clubhouse at London Heathrow Terminal 3 is set out separately on virginatlantic.com. [2]

SkyTeam and Global Lounge Network have partnered to open a joint lounge at São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport, Terminal 2, open 24 hours, available to SkyTeam Elite Plus, First and Business Class customers flying on services operated by Air Europa. [2]

An Elite Plus member may invite one guest, who must be travelling on the same SkyTeam member-operated flight, irrespective of that guest's preceding and onward flights. [2] The guest's boarding pass is presented to the lounge agent for validation and admission. [2]

What are the exceptions and limits?

• Delta SkyMiles equivalent tier. Complimentary access at Delta Sky Clubs is no longer extended to Delta SkyMiles Elite Plus equivalent members (SkyMiles Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion) when flying in Main Cabin or Delta Comfort+ internationally. [2] Effective 1 January 2024, Delta SkyMiles members travelling in Basic Economy or equivalent partner cabins do not have access to Delta Sky Clubs, and SkyTeam Elite Plus members of other SkyTeam member frequent flyer programmes are not impacted. [2] Delta SkyTeam Elite Plus members flying on a Delta or other SkyTeam-operated flight can continue to access other SkyTeam member airline-owned lounges and SkyTeam branded lounges, while third party lounges are excluded. [2]
• What counts as international. For the Elite Plus international-flight test, travel between the United States and the Caribbean is excluded from international travel. [2]
• Domestic flights. Since 1 April 2025, Elite Plus customers have also had lounge access on domestic flights, at selected SkyTeam member airline lounges, with more than 70 lounges reachable on domestic itineraries and a plan to extend access gradually to more locations. [2] Separate domestic lounge access policies may apply to members of Aerolíneas Argentinas' Aerolíneas Plus and Delta Air Lines' SkyMiles programmes. [2]
• Airline variation. Lounge access may vary by airline, and the lounge finder should be checked for details. [2]

Frequently asked questions

Can you use a SkyTeam lounge when you land at the end of a sector?

No. Access is provided at departure and transfer airports only, and not on arrival at the destination. [2]

Can an Elite Plus member bring a guest into a SkyTeam lounge?

Yes, one guest, provided the guest is travelling on the same SkyTeam member-operated flight, irrespective of their preceding and onward flights. [2]

Do all segments have to be booked in First or Business Class?

For First and Business Class customers on a connection, yes: all segments need to be booked in those cabins, and both the domestic and international flights must be operated by a SkyTeam member airline. [2]

Does a Delta SkyMiles elite get Delta Sky Club access on an international Main Cabin ticket?

No. Complimentary access at Delta Sky Clubs is no longer extended to Delta SkyMiles Elite Plus equivalent members flying Main Cabin or Delta Comfort+ internationally, although Elite Plus members of other SkyTeam member programmes are unaffected. [2]

Can you buy SkyTeam lounge access online?

It is not currently possible to purchase lounge access via skyteam.com. [2]

Related pages

Read the SkyTeam guide for the alliance itself, and stopovers and open jaws for routings that break the journey. For multi-continent ticketing, see Round the World fares compared and the glossary entry for round the world fare; the glossary of frequent flyer terms covers the vocabulary used across the encyclopedia.

Sources

Sources accessed on 18 October 2026.

1. SkyTeam lounges and lounge access policy, checked 18 October 2026