DTW Delta Sky Club: Gate A38 vs. A43 Compared

DTW Concourse A has two Delta Sky Clubs side by side. We compared both so you know which one to choose before your next flight.

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Navigating Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport with lounge access sounds simple until you realize Concourse A alone technically has four Delta Sky Clubs. We focused on the two right in the middle of the concourse: the one by Gate A43 on the left and the one by Gate A38 on the right.

Both are accessible with an Amex Platinum card. The real question is which one is actually worth your layover time. We checked them both back to back to find out.

Gate A43: The Hot Food Option

We headed left toward A43 first. This lounge feels newer and more updated, even though it is noticeably smaller in square footage.

Food: If you want a warm meal, this is the lounge to be in. During our visit they were serving yellow rice, chicken, roasted vegetables, and a broccoli cheese soup that stood out.

Bar: The bar area is more spacious than A38 and has actual seating at it, so you can post up with a drink comfortably.

Check-in: Self-service kiosks make entry quick and seamless. No waiting in line at a desk.

Summary: Smaller space, newer feel, hot food, bar seating, kiosk check-in.

Gate A38: The Spacious Option

Walking over to A38, the immediate difference is the size. This lounge is significantly larger, but because of that extra space, it also tends to be busier.

Food: The spread looks similar at first glance, but the food on our visit skewed heavily cold: wraps, sandwiches, salads, hummus, and cheese boards. A38 does serve hot food on other days (the menu rotates, so your visit may differ), but we found A43 to be the more reliable choice if a hot meal is the priority. The dessert section at A38 is a strong point regardless: brownies, cookies, and Rice Krispies treats. Vincent stocked up immediately.

Bar: Smaller bar, and there is no seating directly at it. You can grab a drink but you will need to find a seat elsewhere.

Seating: What the lounge lacks in bar space, it makes up for in overall seating. There are significantly more options to spread out, relax, or get some work done before your flight.

Check-in: No kiosks here. You check in at the desk.

Summary: Much larger space, menu varies by day, no bar seating, more overall seating, desk check-in only.

Which One Should You Choose?

	Gate A43	Gate A38
Consistent hot food	Yes	Varies by day
Bar seating	Yes	No
Overall seating	Less	More
Size	Smaller	Much larger
Self-service kiosks	Yes	No

Choose Gate A43 if: You want a warm meal, prefer sitting at the bar, and like a slightly newer aesthetic.

Choose Gate A38 if: Your priority is finding a comfortable seat to relax or get some work done. The food quality is fine but less predictably warm than A43.

For us, if we just need to sit down and decompress before boarding, A38 wins on sheer space and seating. If we want an actual meal, we go to A43 without hesitation.

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