Delta One’s New JFK Lounge Just Raised the Bar—Here’s 5 Reasons We’re Impressed

28.06.2024 - 18:21 / afar.com / John F.Kennedy / Delta I (I) / Delta Air-Lines

Spanning nearly 40,000-square-feet, Delta Air Lines’ newest lounge at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York has some seriously swanky perks, ranging from a shoe-shining service and zero-gravity massage chairs to an outdoor terrace and a full-service restaurant.

However, unlike the Delta Sky Clubs, which allows travelers to purchase a membership or access them with certain credit cards, neither are enough to score you access to this lounge. The new concept, called Delta One (like the carrier’s long-haul business-class product), is exclusively for passengers flying business or first class.

Here’s what you need to know about Delta’s first Delta One lounge at JFK, including what some of the most impressive features are and how you can get in.

Front-of-the-plane fliers won’t have to wait in the regular check-in line before going through airport security. Instead they’ll be able to use a dedicated check-in area, found in a private room with frosted glass windows—separate from the lounge. While their bags are checked and boarding passes printed, staff will dole out warm towels and light refreshments.

Later this year, Delta plans to debut a private TSA security checkpoint for business-class passengers that will connect directly to the lounge area. Until then, guests will have to proceed through the regular security checkpoint after using the exclusive check-in area, but once they’re through security, it’s a short walk to the lounge.

The Delta One lounge bar is beautiful, but if you don’t want to get up for a drink, a velvet-trimmed beverage cart will be making the rounds.

Jason Dewey/Delta Air Lines

One of the biggest draws of this new space is the 140-seat sit-down restaurant, The Brasserie. Offering three-course meals, the French-inspired menu was curated by Union Square Events and Restaurant Associates (a concept by famed restaurateur Danny Meyer) and offers options like hamachi crudo with avocado, chili crisp, and a honey citrus vinaigrette; rotisserie chicken accompanied by creamy Parmesan polenta, baby greens, and jus gras; and a dark chocolate soufflé with vanilla anglaise.

For those keen on something more casual (or who don’t have time for multiple courses), there is also a delicatessen area with bakery and market counters where guests will find a self-service salad bar, sandwiches, flatbreads, and sweets like passionfruit lemon bars and brown butter chocolate cookies.

While patrons can pick up libations, ranging from classic cocktails like a French 75 to signature sippers, like a peach maple syrup Old Fashioned, at the bar, they don’t have to get up if they don’t want to—every seat throughout the lounge receives service from a blue velvet-trimmed beverage cart.

There’s also a