The Largest Delta Lounge in the World Opens Tomorrow — and We Got a Sneak Peek

25.06.2024 - 16:47 / travelandleisure.com / John F.Kennedy / Delta I (I) / Claude Roussel

The latest addition to New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport? An airport lounge that aims to be un-airport-like. 

Delta Air Lines’ first long-awaited premium lounge, a nearly 40,000-square-foot space dedicated to business-class passengers, is finally opening at JFK. It’s not only the largest Delta lounge in the world, but it’s also a major departure from the airline’s existing Sky Clubs. And that’s by design. 

“If you were blindfolded and didn't know where you were going, you might not realize that you are in an airport,” said Claude Roussel, vice president of Sky Clubs and lounges, in an interview with Travel + Leisure. It’s part of Delta’s ambition to provide a “refined” ground experience. 

Chris Dong/Travel + Leisure

Until now, Delta has taken a one-size-fits-all approach to lounges. That has meant packed Sky Clubs open to Amex credit card holders, paid members of the Sky Club program, and business or first-class flyers with Delta and its partner airlines. Now, that’s changing with the first Delta One Lounge opening at JFK on Wed., June 26. 

The 500-seat enclave, conveniently located past the security checkpoint in Terminal 4, is only open to same-day departing or connecting long-haul business or first-class passengers flying with Delta, Air France, LATAM, KLM, Korean Air, and Virgin Atlantic. Delta customers can also use the lounge on arrival. Most importantly, to promote a tranquil and elevated space, travelers can’t pay their way in nor receive access via a credit card or elite status membership. 

Among the standout features of the exclusive space is a brasserie-style sit-down restaurant, with an expansive menu and open kitchen concept from Union Square Hospitality. Notable dishes (that I sampled during an early preview) included a decadent starter of hamachi crudo with avocado, chili crisp, and honey citrus vinaigrette and a classic steak frites main course featuring wagyu beet and shallot confit cooked a perfect medium rare. And for dessert, don’t miss the dark chocolate soufflé with vanilla anglaise; it’s supposedly the only soufflé served in an airport lounge in the world (we can’t verify that). 

Chris Dong/Travel + Leisure

The 140-seat brasserie venue is “elevated but accessible,” according to executive chef Nick Martinez, who leads the lounge’s sit-down and market-style dining options. “We want to create something that is not only best-in-class around the world as far as lounges are concerned but also rival the best restaurants in any city,” said Martinez. 

For travelers looking for more casual fare (or are tighter on time), there’s the market, a cafe-style eatery with options from freshly caught salmon to pizzas and flatbreads to a make-your-own salad bar. Almost everything is prepared and