Delta’s Spacious New Sky Club Opens at Tampa

Tampa International Airport, fondly known as TPA, holds a special place in my heart. Having grown up in Tampa, this was my go-to airport for those quirky mileage runs. My folks still call Tampa home, so I’m a frequent visitor. But beyond nostalgia, TPA is a delightful mid-size airport, with a super-efficient central concourse and a few cozy terminals that make life easier.

Recently, Tampa Airport gave us a sneak peek at its first new terminal in two decades. Boy, am I thrilled! I shared some tidbits about this a few weeks back, but time for an exciting update because we’ve got the lowdown on the terminal’s maiden tenant.

The Essentials of Tampa Airport’s New Airside D

Mark your calendars, folks! Tampa Airport’s brand spanking new Airside D is scheduled to open its doors to the public in 2028, so yeah, we gotta practice a bit of patience before we see it live. The groundbreaking started in late 2024, despite the design still being a work in progress.

Airside D is the golden ticket to boosting the airport’s passenger traffic from 25 million to 35 million per year by 2037 — a crucial step in the airport’s grand expansion plan.

The Tampa Airport Airside D is projected to cost around $1.5 billion and will boast of:

• 16 gates, including a swanky international passenger arrival area, pegged to be the hotspot for international flights.
• An orthogonal design spread over 600,000 square feet, primed for space and efficiency; connected to the main terminal via the usual shuttle system.
• A mezzanine up there with vistas of the airfield and the bay in two airline lounges.
• Shopping and dining options right at the airside’s core, wrapped with 360-degree views of the gates.
• A spacious area featuring easy navigation and lots of natural light.

Renderings of Airside D’s fresh design concept have been rolled out. We’re talking about high ceilings, luminous interiors, an international arrivals corridor that gives the terminal a chic wraparound. Though a heads-up: these visuals might change as the design matures.

Delta: The First Tenant of TPA’s Airside D

We’ve known for a while that Tampa Airport’s Airside D was reserving space for a couple of lounges, but which airlines snagged those spots was a mystery — until now. The cat’s out of the bag: Delta’s snagged a prime spot at Airside D.

Delta’s got its foot in with at least six gates, plus it’s rolling out an 18,000 square-foot Sky Club. A pretty sweet deal for Delta, pocketing at least six out of the 16 total gates.

I’m pretty chuffed to witness Tampa Airport’s lounge collection expanding, and I’m curious about the game of musical chairs we might witness.

Tampa currently hosts a measly trio of lounges — an American Admirals Club and the International Club Lounge (used by Virgin Atlantic) over in Airside F, alongside Delta’s Sky Club in Airside E. Not much variety, is there?

TPA’s separate concourses streamline getting from curb to gate, but the lack of airside connection is its downfall, especially concerning lounge access. Airlines like Discover and Edelweiss operate from Airside F but leave their premium passengers lounge-less.

With Delta moving to Airside D, I’m itching to see how this shakes up the terminal dynamics:

• American and United might stick around outside Airside D, as Delta’s occupying at least six gates along with the international flights leaving little wiggle room there.
• If Delta’s Sky Club in Airside E is left behind, could United shift from Airside A to claim that space?
• I reckon the second Airside D lounge might be a contract lounge accessible with programs like Priority Pass, catering to global airline passengers needing premium spots.
• I’d adore seeing Tampa Airport score a credit card lounge — a swanky Amex Centurion, Capital One, or Chase Sapphire Lounge. But, let’s keep our fingers crossed!

I’m left wondering if Delta’s poised to ramp up its Tampa network or if it’s happy coasting on the current wave. At present, Delta flies to spots like Amsterdam, and its buddy airline Virgin Atlantic jets off to London.

Bottom Line

In 2028, Tampa Airport is set for a glow-up, opening its first new concourse in 20 years with the fabulous Airside D. As the new international terminal, it’ll span 600,000 square feet, feature 16 gates, plus two chic lounges.

Delta’s now confirmed as a key tenant of this snazzy concourse. They’ll operate at least six gates and build a lush 18,000 square-foot Sky Club.

What do you make of the plans for Tampa Airport’s Airside D?

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