British Airways First Class New York JFK Lounge
NEWS: This lounge is now closed.
All BA Passengers are now being redirected to the American Airlines lounge...full story
New York JFK British Airways First Class Lounge
You find the BA JFK First Class lounge up the stairs, and around the corner from the Alaska Airways lounge. The BA lounge shares the same entrance as with the Club World Business Class BA JFK Lounge, but you discretely turn left, if you are First Class - or rather have a Gold Executive Card.
The British Airways First Class New York JFK Lounge is sixty per cent larger than its former self, at 510 square yards (5400 square feet) and has been designed with several different zones, most of them alcohol related - there is a wine room, bar, and dining with fine wines. Much of the extra space has been created by taking away part of the existing Terraces lounge to make a dedicated dining section, which is the largest part of the lounge.
Once you enter past the main reception desk, there is a long hallway that leads into the main room; this is actually the only real seating area there is, as the three other main rooms are the bar, the restaurant, and the business centre with a large communal table.
New York JFK British Airways First Class Lounge
In the main room there is a small area with grey armchairs: maybe 30 or so. However they are very comfortable, and all have power sockets. The smaller more enclosed space is actually a little quieter. There are also five upright tables here, which are often the best working space in the lounge. Next to these is also a small buffet area, with a few wines.
Next up in the British Airways First Class New York JFK Lounge is the large complimentary bar, with a waiter making cocktails, or you can pour a drink yourself. There are some great seats at this bar: it can be a struggle to get one of these six seat: however, there is also a variety of seating along the walls -- on one side were swivelling chairs, and on the other side a few benches.
Beside the bar in the BA first class lounge JFK is a brand new dining area featuring floor to ceiling windows with plenty of natural light.
There are also two work areas: one with a large communal table, and another with small booths and uncomfortable stools to sit on.
Food
New York JFK British Airways First Class Lounge
As one the busiest lounges outside London, the New York JFK lounge has always had a special place in British Airway's agenda, however previously gold's had to go into the Business section to get something to eat: now, there is a dedicated dining area in the First section, and this area even has a small rolling champagne trolley.
This dining room has what BA has labelled a 'boutique menu', created by executive chefs Gavin Mackenzie and Waylon Walker, which includes seasonal dishes and a new light and healthy 'bowl food' concept. British Airways' JFK pre-flight dining room opens at 1630 each evening.
You can eat a full meal, from a menu on the table, which is served at your seat, before stepping on board your flight. The idea is to give you as much time to sleep on board the short six hour hop to London Heathrow, and particularly with BA 'Sleeper Service' flights only having a light meal on board, if you are hungry you may need to eat here anyway.
Next to the bar are some basic bar snacks, with a trail mix, pretzels, and wasabi peas.
However, if you're in a hurry, try the buffet area where there are some finger sandwiches,along with a decent selection of cheese, and biscuits. Plus crisps, and fresh fruit.
Bar
New York JFK British Airways First Class Lounge
Of course, if you don't want to have someone mix up cocktails for you, there are dozens of bottles of spirits you can pour yourself.
Near the buffet are four red wines and several white wines, rose, and sparkling wine. However, much better wine is to be found in the back room, where there's also an automatic dispenser so that passengers can enjoy wines at what British Airways claims is "exactly the right temperature". There are 12 bottles in here, and all are very good whites.
There is also a new concept for BA lounges, with a new wine room letting passengers enjoy 'wine flights'; in this case quite literally, by sampling wines linked to a theme, such as Chardonnays of the World, or the Wines from Down Under.
Business Facilities
New York JFK British Airways First Class Lounge
Other changes in the British Airways' First Class lounge New York JFK include a Work and Business zone. Here, however, there is just one large conference table, with rolling chairs, rather than the old computer booths which were more productive for working, and now appears to be more of a large meeting room.
There are also a couple of televisions in here, which are normally on at a very high volume, and as a consequence the place is often deserted, as it is the least productive place to work. Indeed, most people prefer to work in the bar as it is much quieter.
In the Business Centre half of the room is devoted to book shelves and magazine racks, but oddly, there are very few magazines in here. Rather than amplify the emptiness, it might have been better to have had none at all.
Bathrooms
In lounge, but only basic ladies and gents.If you want a shower you have to go through into the Business Class section, where there is the full spa, with decent showers.
Access
New York JFK British Airways First Class Lounge
British Airways' First Class lounge at JFK Terminal 7 is open to all passengers travelling in first class on BA or oneworld, as well as Gold Executive Club members, and Platinum Qantas frequent flyers, plus onewoack rld Emerald holders.
Video: British Airways First Class Lounge
New York JFK Airport Guide
| British Airways First Class New York JFK Lounge | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rating |
Video walkthrough and by Loungeindex.com
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| Location | ||
| Opening hours | Permanently closed | |
| Lounge for: | British Airways | |
| Access | First and Business Class British Airways, Gold and Silver members of Executive Club, and Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire frequent flyers | |