After a positioning flight to New York in advance of our KLM flight to Amsterdam, we had the opportunity to check out the new Delta One Lounge at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
The lounge at JFK was the first Delta One Lounge to open back in 2024. The airline has since opened Delta One lounges in Los Angeles (LAX) and Boston (BOS). A Delta One Lounge is coming to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) later this year and the carrier reportedly has plans to add one in Atlanta over the next few years.
I must say, this was one of the aspects of our trip that I was most looking forward to and, while the Delta One Lounge New York-JFK didn’t disappoint, your experience will likely depend on the time of your visit as it can get quite crowded.
Delta One Lounge JFK Private Check-In
Passengers who are originating in New York, or need to re-clear security after a connection as was the case with us, can utilize the Delta One private check-in space in Terminal 4. The check-in area itself was nice enough that I wrote about it in detail in a separate post.
Once you’ve completed the check-in process, a private TSA screening area is the only thing standing between you and the Delta One Lounge. Given how chaotic JFK security can be, this is a perk that doesn’t get enough credit.
Delta One Lounge JFK Location
The lounge has two entrances that can be utilized depending on whether you used the Delta One check-in area or are already airside in Terminal 4. We were coming from check-in, via the private TSA checkpoint, and the walkway led us straight to the lounge entrance which was clearly marked by a large sign.
If you’re already airside in Terminal 4, connecting from another Delta Air Lines or partner flight, you’ll find the lounge entrance located in the connector between Concourses A and B. While it is tucked away slightly, you’ll find the entrance across from the Five Borough Food Hall and The Palm Bar and Grill.
The concourse entrance is located one level below the lounge, requiring a short elevator ride. The check-in entrance is located on the same level as the lounge, allowing you to walk right in.
Delta One Lounge JFK Hours of Operation
The Delta One Lounge New York-JFK is open between 4:30a and 11:00p daily. While the lounge hours cover virtually all of Delta’s, and its partners’, flights it’s worth noting that the brasserie portion of the lounge is only open between 11:00a and 9:30p daily.
Delta One Lounge JFK Entry Requirements
Delta One lounges have very strict access requirements. The primary way to gain access is by having a same-day departing or arriving flight in Delta One. Delta 360 members can also access the lounge if they are flying on a same-day First Class ticket.
Passengers traveling on Delta partners in their respective first and business class cabins including Air France La Premiere, Air France Business Class, LATAM Premium Business Class, KLM Business Class, Korean Air First Class and Prestige Class, and Virgin Atlantic Upper Class can access the Delta One Lounge.
In New York, the only Delta partners operating out of Terminal 4 that qualify are LATAM, KLM, and Virgin Atlantic. Air France and Korean Air operate from Terminal 1 and the terminals at JFK are not connected airside.
We accessed the lounge using our KLM World Business Class boarding passes for our flight to Amsterdam.
Delta One Lounge JFK Layout
The Delta One Lounge at JFK is the largest of the three existing Delta One lounges by far. It spans roughly 40,000 square feet and has seating for more than 500 passengers. The lounge itself is long and skinny and is shaped roughly like a sideways “L”. With all of the different rooms
Though we arrived in the afternoon, the lounge was packed due to the evening departure bank. So, the majority of my photos are from the end of our visit as the lounge was preparing to close.
If you enter from the Delta One Check-In side you’ll find yourself in-between the bar and a large seating area. Passengers taking the elevator from the Concourse will enter the lounge to the left of the seating area.
The seating area features a fireplace, TV, and built in shelves with a mix of couches, tables, and chairs.
Across from the seating area is a secondary seating space adjacent to the bar. This space has individual chairs with side tables with some arranged in pairs. High-top bar tables with four stools apiece are locates closer to the bar.
The bar itself is quite large with a waparound bar top that has plenty of seating. Every seat here was filled when I arrived but it cleared out towards the end of our visit.
Behind the bar is a large display with the various types of alcohol on offer. A large floral arrangement sits atop the bar and provides a pop of color among the muted lounge decor.
Behind the bar and seating area, along the exterior of the lounge, you’ll find the Delta One version of a Sky Deck. The “outdoor” area is fully enclosed in glass meaning it was pleasant regardless of the time of day.
The center section of the terrace has seating for larger groups while individual chairs are locates along the windows overlooking the ramp.
If I had been traveling solo, this is where you would have found me for the duration of my visit. However, there is still plenty more of the lounge to see.
Back inside the lounge, just past the bar, you’ll find the entrance to the brasserie. This is the lounge’s sit down, full-service, dining establishment which is open from 11:00a-9:30p daily. I’ll cover this space more in depth in the food and beverage section below.
Opposite the brasserie, along the windows, you’ll find countertop seating along with individual chairs with tables overlooking the ramp. Like the outdoor terrace, the views here are fantastic.
The brasserie and the seats shown above are located along parallel hallways. These hallways meet in the market which is the all day dining area in the lounge. There are a couple of communal tables in this area but it mostly consists of two top dining tables with booths and chairs.
The market is set up buffet style though it isn’t self service. Lounge staff will plate whatever you ask for before handing the plate over the counter to you.
On the backside of the dining area, you encounter a dedicated workspace complete with soundproof booths for those needing to take calls during their visit. As someone who primarily travels for business, I always appreciate when lounges make these available as it improves the overall experience for everyone.
A couple groupings of four leather armchairs are located in the corner of the working space.
Turning the corner you will find some additional seating as well as the entrance to the wellness area. A mix of seating is available that ranges from lounge chairs to couches and a couple of seating nooks.
This room is where we spent the majority of our time during our stay as it was calmer than the majority of the lounge. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to utilize the wellness amenities as they were fully booked once we arrived.
Finally, at the rear of the lounge, behind the wellness rooms, is another quiet area. This is located next to the entrance for the bathrooms and showers. Given the bustling nature of the lounge for most of our visit, this room was a popular location. A secondary, pop-up, bar was open in this space during part of our visit.
Delta One Lounge JFK Shower Rooms
One of the best parts of the lounge are the shower suites. When you consider the fact that Delta One Lounge passengers are mostly traveling on transcontinental or long haul Business Class flights, the ability to shower before stepping onboard. While plenty of Business Class lounges have shower rooms, these were quite possibly the best I’ve ever experienced.
There are eight shower rooms in the Delta One Lounge and they can be reserved via kiosks located around the lounge or by speaking with an attendant near the showers. Though the lounge was busy, both Mrs. ATX and I were able to shower before departure.
There was no wait for a shower room and the attendant led me down the hallway to my assigned room. These rooms are absolutely massive and feature a walk in shower, separate toilet area sink, and wardrobe.
The wardrobe is built into the wall and slides out. It was large enough for me to hang a change of clothes during my shower.
Towels, slippers, a hair dryer, shower cap, mouthwash, qtips, soap, and hand cream are all available next to the sink. Both the soap and hand cream are Grown Alchemist branded.
A Delta branded bathrobe is located on a hook next to the door.
In case you forget anything, there is a menu of items located on the counter next to the sink showing the complimentary toiletries available. Since I was staring down two back-to-back long-haul flights, I requested a dental and shaving kit which was quickly delivered.
The shower features adjustable showerheads giving you the option between the rain shower overhead or the handheld wand. Grown Alchemist branded shampoo, conditioner, and body wash is located in reusable containers on a shelf in the shower.
The shower was extremely refreshing though my one, minor, complaint is the fact the water didn’t get hot enough for my liking but it still was quite warm. Also, I wasn’t given a time limit in the shower room which was nice as I didn’t feel rushed. I’m pretty sure Mrs. ATX hid out in there to get some quiet time away from ATX Jr. and I. I’m not sure if this was due to the fact that there was no wait for showers when we visited or if it is the standard procedure.
As an aside, since we were traveling with our 10 month old, it’s worth noting that there are family restrooms located next to the showers, complete with a bench and changing table.
In addition to restrooms by the showers at the rear of the lounge, there is another set of restrooms near the elevators to the concourse available.
Delta One Lounge JFK Food and Beverage
One of the things that made our experience in the lounge so enjoyable were the food and beverage offerings. Upon arrival, after we found seats, a server came over and asked if we wanted anything to drink. We both ordered champagne which was served with a small cheese plate.
While there are a couple of pop-up bars scattered throughout the lounge and the primary bar at the entrance, for the most part beverages are ordered via the servers and delivered to your seat. Our server was fantastic and he also pointed me to the kiosk to make a reservation for the brasserie dining area.
At our assigned time we headed over to the dining room where a host quickly showed us to our table. The space is elegant and you feel like you’re in a fine dining establishment instead of a restaurant. As an aside, before we dive into the menu and service, the staff was fantastic in accommodating us as we were eating with an infant.
The brasserie dining flow is broken up into three courses, though the staff has the ability to serve them quickly if you’re in a time crunch. We weren’t and ended up dining for about 1h 15m. The menu for dinner is below.
In addition to the menu, a list of complimentary cocktails, wines, beers, and spirits was provided. This also features some of the reserve spirits which can be purchased for an additional fee.
For our first course Mrs. ATX had the potato and leek soup while I ordered off of the second course menu and had the seared diver scallops.
At the back of the menu is a listing of reserve wines by the bottle that are available for purchase.
For drinks, I ordered the boldly named Best Old Fashioned in the World. While it was far from bad, I certainly wouldn’t call it the best I’ve ever had.
For our first course, Mrs. ATX had the potato and leek soup while I actually ordered off of the second course menu at the suggestion of our waiter. I was torn between the seared diver scallops and the branzino for my second course and he suggested getting the scallops to start as it was a lighter dish.
For our second course, I had the aforementioned pan roasted branzino while Mrs. ATX ordered the steak frites which we shared with ATX Jr.
We were both stuffed at this point since we very rarely eat three course meals at home so we decided to split the whipped strawberry cheesecake.
If you choose not to eat at the brasserie, or if it is closed during your visit, the market has plenty of options to meet your needs. As I mentioned earlier, it is set up buffet style but functions like a very high end cafeteria where lounge employees plate your food before handing it to you. Mock ups of each dish are placed at the front of the counter.
The first station featured four different hot entrees.
The second station was serving flatbread pizzas during our visit, with four types on offer.
A build your own taco station was next to the pizza, though the setup couldn’t really showcase the food being offered.
Rows of coolers had desserts, fruit, meats, cheese, vegetables with hummus, quiche, and assorted cold sandwiches. These items are offered throughout the day.
Aside from the cold desserts, there is also a station that offers cookies, cakes, and bread with assorted jelly.
A soup and salad station is located at the end of the buffet. During my visit there was a tomato bisque soup and shoyu ramen on offer. There were a verity of different toppings that could be added to the ramen dish.
The salad station had three different types of salad displayed; a green goddess salad, cobb salad, and crispy rice bowl. You also have the ability to create your own salad.
On the beverage front, while you can order anything you’d like from your seat, there are multiple drink stations located throughout the lounge equipped with coffee machines, tea, lemonade, and water.
The seating area near the wellness room is also outfitted with a variety of wellness juices and teas on draft.
With everything available in the lounge, you certainly won’t be leaving hungry!
Atmosphere
Overall, the Delta One Lounge at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport is stunning. The staff are extremely friendly and the food and beverage options seem endless. However, your experience in the lounge will be largely dependent on when you visit.
We arrived during the middle of the evening transatlantic departure bank and the place was packed. We had to search for a bit to find seating but, as the evening went on, the crowds cleared out. With no crowds we noticed even better service and there was plenty of space for us to spread out.
Summary
The Delta One Lounge JFK may be the best Business Class Lounge I’ve ever visited. It’s at the top of my list along with the Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Class Lounge and, while both were amazing, this one felt warmer and friendlier.
If you have the chance, I can’t recommend a visit to this lounge enough and I look forward to many more visits over the coming years on my travels through New York-JFK.
