After our positioning flight from Dallas it was time to kick off the first major leg of this trip, flying KLM Business Class to Dubai via Amsterdam. While I typically wouldn’t write a post just about the check-in experience, Delta One Check-In at New York-JFK felt more like a lounge than a check-in desk.
Delta One Check-In New York-JFK Location
Delta’s operation at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is located in Terminal 4. Delta One Check-In can be found on the far right side of the check-in hall. Of you’re arriving via car, Delta One Check-In will be through the first set of doors upon approaching the terminal.
We arrived at JFK via an American Airlines flight from Dallas/Ft. Worth. American operates from Terminal 8 which meant we had to take the AirTrain to T4. If you’re connecting from another terminal, be prepared to do some walking. However, the Delta One Check-In entrance is easy to spot thanks to the branding.
Delta One Check-In New York-JFK Entry Requirements
Delta One Check-In has fairly strict requirements as the whole experience is meant to be exclusive and avoid crowds. Access is limited to travelers flying on Delta One tickets and Delta 360 Medallion Members.
Passengers traveling in World Business Class on KLM along with Virgin Atlantic Upper Class passengers and Flying Club Gold members can also access Delta One facilities at JFK. Though unsigned, LATAM Business Class passengers traveling to Santiago (SCL) and São Paulo/Guarulhos (GRU) can also use Delta One Check-In.
We were able to access it thanks to our KLM World Business Class tickets and a Delta representative was waiting at the door to verify entry requirements when we arrived.
Layout
Upon entering the space you’re met with a long hallway lined with some seating and planters that leads down to the check-in counters. A 6′ wall separates the Delta One space from the remainder of Terminal 4.
The floor to ceining windows provide plenty of light but, it was fairly warm with the late afternoon sun shining through the windows.
At the end of the hallway, a food and beverage station as well as some customer service desks are located on the left.
To the right of the customer service desks you’ll find the check-in counters. There were roughly ten counters available to quickly get travelers checked-in and on their way.
Food and Beverage
While the whole idea is to get through check-in as quickly and seamlessly as possible, there is a substantial amount of food and beverage options available. I didn’t have a chance to peruse this space in detail as it was being restocked and I was trying to wrangle ATX Jr. but a wide variety of non-alcoholic beverages, included Delta One branded box water and Nespresso coffee is available.
A selection of pastries and desserts was on offer during our visit along with some snack mix. I ended up grabbing a couple boxes of water as the check-in area was warm in the evening sun.
Delta One Check-In New York-JFK
When we arrived all of the check-in counters were occupied so we had to wait a couple of minutes for one to open up. We were offered water while we waited before being ushered over to an open counter.
There were some issues with my ticket as ATX Jr. was listed as a lap infant with me. They were able to get Mrs. ATX’s boarding passes all the way through to Dubai but they could only issue mine and his between New York and Amsterdam. While this was occurring, another agent tagged all of our bags through to Dubai and sent them off down the belt.
To try and resolve the issue we headed over to the customer service desk where our check-in agent phoned KLM to try and resolve the issue. Unfortunately, they were unable to resolve the issue and we were instructed to check-in at a KLM transfer desk when we arrived in Amsterdam.
Delta One Check-In New York-JFK Private Security Screening
With (some of) our boarding passes in hand, we headed off to the private TSA security checkpoint for Delta One passengers. As part of my ticket issues my TSA PreCheck number was removed from my reservation. Fortunately, with a private security checkpoint, the process was still seamless.
However, I must admit that it was a struggle for me to remember all of the things that have to come off/out when going through the scanner. After clearing security, it’s just a short walk around to the entrance of the Delta One Lounge at JFK.
Summary
Delta operates a private check-in space for its Delta One passengers and 360 Medallion Members. Delta One Check-In can also be used by KLM World Business Class, Virgin Atlantic Upper Class, and Flying Club Gold passengers. My ticket issues aside, this is a great amenity for premium passengers in New York. My only complaint is that the space can get warm in the late afternoon due to the sun.
In This Trip Report
- Introduction
- American Airlines Boeing 737-800 First Class (DFW-JFK)
- Delta One Check-In New York-JFK
- Delta One Lounge New York-JFK
- KLM Boeing 787-10 Business Class (JFK-AMS)
- KLM Boeing 777-200 Business Class (AMS-DXB)
- St. Regis Downtown Dubai
- Exploring Dubai
- Marhaba Lounge Dubai (DXB) Terminal 1
- Air Astana Airbus A321neo Economy (DXB-ALA)
- Exploring Almaty
- The Ritz-Carlton Almaty
- Turkish Airlines Airbus A330-200 Business Class (ALA-IST)
- JW Marriott Istanbul Bosphorus
- Hilton Mall of Istanbul
- IGA Lounge Istanbul (IST)
- FlyDubai Boeing 737-800 Business Class (IST-DXB)
- Emirates Business Class Lounge Dubai (DXB) Concourse A
- Emirates Boeing 777-300ER Business Class (DXB-DFW)
You can also access D1 Check-In if flying LATAM J to GRU or SCL
Thanks for the info. I knew they could access the lounge but with no signage at the Delta One check-in area I incorrectly assumed they had to check-in at the LATAM desks.