Review: Delta One Lounge New York Kennedy Airport (JFK)

Review: Delta One Lounge New York Kennedy Airport (JFK)

More From This Trip
NAME: Delta One Lounge
Airport: JFK
DATE: February 2025
REVIEW RATING:
BEN SAYS: The Delta One Lounge is unbelievably impressive, and the best business class lounge in the United States. It has lots of space, beautiful decor, incredible dining, friendly service, spa treatments, luxurious shower suites, and more.
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For the last portion of my Aria Suite Adventure to Hong Kong, I had the chance to check out the Delta One Lounge New York (JFK), prior to my Delta One 767 business class flight to Los Angeles (LAX).

The Delta One Lounge concept debuted in mid-2024, with the JFK location being the first. Delta waited a long time to get into the game of operating premium lounges and competing with American Flagship Lounges and United Polaris Lounges, but my gosh, the airline knocked it out of the park.

The Delta One Lounge JFK is incredible. It’s without a doubt the best business class lounge in the United States, and I’d argue it’s one of the top few business class lounges in the world (if not the best). There’s just so much to love about the lounge, from the design, to the food and drinks, to the terrace, to the wellness area and showers, to the incredible service. You can just tell that at every turn, the airline takes pride in this facility, and thought out every detail.

I can’t say enough good things about the Delta One Lounge, and give the airline credit for how it has elevated the lounge game.

Delta One private check-in & security JFK

At JFK, the Delta One experience starts before you even get to the lounge. Delta has a dedicated check-in and security checkpoint for Delta One passengers, which gives you a shortcut to the lounge. When you’re in the check-in hall of Terminal 4, just go to the very right, and you’ll see the entrance to the facility.

Delta One check-in JFK

After walking down a hall, you’ll see the standard Delta One check-in area to the right, plus some desks for ticketing assistance to the left.

Delta One check-in JFK
Delta One check-in JFK
Delta One check-in JFK

The check-in area even has a coffee machine, soft drinks, and light food throughout the day, ranging from tofu salad, to tuna crudo, to beef carpaccio, to pastrami sandwiches. Once you’re ready to go through security, the lounge has a dedicated security lane, leading you in the same direction as the lounge.

Delta One privacy security JFK
Delta One privacy security JFK

While the security checkpoint doesn’t let out directly at the lounge, you just have to walk a short distance, and then you’ll see the entrance to the Delta One Lounge on the right.

Delta One privacy security JFK
Delta One Lounge JFK entrance

Delta One Lounge New York JFK location

If you’re not originating at JFK and using the private Delta One security checkpoint, you can also access the lounge from the concourse. Once airside in Terminal 4, go to the area between Concourse A and Concourse B, near the main security checkpoint (just one level down), and you’ll see the entrance to the lounge there.

Delta One Lounge JFK entrance

Note that this is a different entrance to the lounge than what you’ll find upstairs. This entrance is actually one floor down, so you then walk down a hallway, and take one of the elevators up a level, to the lounge (the terminal is on level three, while the lounge is on level four).

Delta One Lounge JFK entrance
Delta One Lounge JFK elevators

You’ve gotta love the art by the elevators…

Delta One Lounge JFK art

Delta One Lounge New York JFK hours

The Delta One Lounge JFK is currently open daily from 4:30AM until 11PM. You can expect that those hours will change over time based on flight schedules, but as you can tell, this covers a vast majority of Delta departures from the airport.

You can expect that the lounge will be a relatively calm oasis for most of the day, except in the afternoons and evenings, when the bulk of the flights to Europe depart. At that point the lounge will often get very crowded.

Delta One Lounge New York JFK entry requirements

Who can access the Delta One Lounge JFK? The lounge is accessible to the following passengers:

  • Same day departing or arriving Delta One ticketed passengers; it doesn’t matter if you paid cash, redeemed miles, or upgraded
  • Delta 360 members departing or arriving on a same day Delta first class ticket
  • Same day departing or connecting passengers on flights operated by select Delta partners in first or business class; this includes passengers on Air France, LATAM, KLM, Korean Air, and Virgin Atlantic

The Delta One Lounge JFK doesn’t allow travelers to bring guests, except Delta 360 members can do so for either $100 or 10,000 SkyMiles per person (either for immediate family members or up to two guests).

Also, keep in mind that if you’re traveling on a partner airline, actually accessing Terminal 4 can be complicated. Air France and Korean Air do not depart from this terminal, so it would be quite a trek to get here (meanwhile KLM and Virgin Atlantic do depart from this terminal).

Delta One Lounge New York JFK seating & layout

The Delta One Lounge JFK is large — it’s nearly 40,000 square feet, and can accommodate up to 515 guests. The lounge is broken up into several distinct zones, and I’d describe the facility as being long and narrow (not in a bad way, my point is just to say that this isn’t one of those mostly square lounges). In no part of the lounge will you necessarily feel like it’s huge, which also helps with it not feeling too busy.

Delta One Lounge JFK hallway

In the center area of the lounge you’ll find a seating area that has a faux fireplace, couches, and banquettes.

Delta One Lounge JFK seating
Delta One Lounge JFK seating

Immediately next to that is the bar, which has some high-top stools, and also has a significant amount of seating around it, with both high-top tables, and individual chairs and side tables.

Delta One Lounge JFK bar
Delta One Lounge JFK bar
Delta One Lounge JFK bar seating
Delta One Lounge JFK bar seating

Off to the side area of the bar area is the brasserie, which is the lounge’s sit-down dining restaurant, accommodating up to 140 guests. Note that this is only open over certain hours, when the lounge is busiest. This is easily one of the most beautiful lounge dining spaces that I’ve ever seen.

Delta One Lounge JFK brasserie seating
Delta One Lounge JFK brasserie seating
Delta One Lounge JFK brasserie seating
Delta One Lounge JFK brasserie seating

Past that is the market, which is the lounge’s all-day dining area. This is ideal whether you’re looking to just grab a quick bite, or want a full meal, without the table service (also, for many hours the lounge is open, this is the only dining option).

Delta One Lounge JFK market seating
Delta One Lounge JFK market seating
Delta One Lounge JFK market seating

Off to the side of the market area is a space more geared to working and lounging. This has everything from private pods, to communal workstations, to rows of seats facing one another.

Delta One Lounge JFK seating
Delta One Lounge JFK seating
Delta One Lounge JFK seating

Then there are another couple of seating areas, right near the wellness area (which I’ll talk more about later). Theses spaces have a variety of seating, ranging from rows of comfortable loungers, to little nooks.

Delta One Lounge JFK seating
Delta One Lounge JFK seating
Delta One Lounge JFK seating
Delta One Lounge JFK seating

Along the exterior of the lounge, you’ll find a narrow selection of seating, either facing the windows, or facing one of the center walkways of the lounge.

Delta One Lounge JFK seating
Delta One Lounge JFK seating

There are even some useful cool work pods, which I love. I was skeptical when I first saw them, but they’re so quiet, so they’re a great place to get some work done, or to make a call.

Delta One Lounge JFK work pods
Delta One Lounge JFK work pod

Last but not least, the lounge has a year-round terrace. I adore how Delta puts so much effort into having terraces in its lounges. In this case, it’s fully enclosed, but it still has such a different vibe.

Delta One Lounge JFK terrace
Delta One Lounge JFK terrace
Delta One Lounge JFK terrace
Delta One Lounge JFK terrace

If you’re an aviation geek, you’ll love the views of the apron from here. I could sit here all day and watch planes. Come and think of it, that’s exactly what I did.

Delta One Lounge JFK terrace view

One other thing I want to mention is that I really appreciate the nice background music throughout the lounge. It was different on the terrace than in the rest of the lounge, and I tend to think that background music can really change the vibe of a place. This lounge does a phenomenal job with that. There’s also a signature scent, which is noticeable but not overpowering.

Delta One Lounge New York JFK food & drinks

The Delta One Lounge JFK has a very strong food and beverage game. Let’s start with food, and then we’ll talk about drinks. The lounge has two options for dining, and neither are self-service. As someone who is a selective germaphobe, I’m a big fan of that.

The market is the Delta One Lounge’s all-day dining space, and it’s essentially a staffed buffet. There’s a huge selection of food behind glass shields, and then the staff will plate whatever you’d like.

Delta One Lounge JFK market dining
Delta One Lounge JFK market dining

The breakfast selection included a bagel bar, where you could have custom bagels prepared.

Delta One Lounge JFK market breakfast

Then there was a bakery section, with fruit and yogurt parfaits, fruit cups, smoothies, chia seed pudding, hardboiled eggs, quiche, avocado toast, croque monsieur, charcuterie plates, danishes, croissants, and more.

Delta One Lounge JFK market breakfast
Delta One Lounge JFK market breakfast
Delta One Lounge JFK market breakfast
Delta One Lounge JFK market breakfast

Then there was an omelet station, with egg dishes that could be customized.

Delta One Lounge JFK market breakfast

Other hot options included breakfast potatoes, sausage, grilled tomatoes, bacon, waffles, and more.

Delta One Lounge JFK market breakfast

After breakfast, an all-day dining concept is available, which remains the same throughout the day. The bagel bar transformed into a salad and soup station, with the ability to customize salads as you’d like.

Delta One Lounge JFK market all-day dining

Then there were a variety of sandwiches, charcuterie plates, quiche, veggies, and more.

Delta One Lounge JFK market all-day dining
Delta One Lounge JFK market all-day dining

There was even a bar with freshly baked pizza — it’s not often you get pizza this good in an airport lounge!

Delta One Lounge JFK market all-day dining
Delta One Lounge JFK market all-day dining

Hot options at lunch included a taco station, chicken piccata, fried artichoke misto, beef bourguignon, seared branzino, asparagus, and lemon potatoes.

Delta One Lounge JFK market all-day dining

There was also a tasty selection of sweet treats, with everything from cookies, to brownies, to pudding, to cheesecake, to tiramisu.

Delta One Lounge JFK market all-day dining
Delta One Lounge JFK market all-day dining

Early in the morning, I decided to have an everything bagel with smoked salmon. It was beautifully plated — it was good, but to be honest, I feel like Delta could up the quality of the bagels a bit, since we’re talking about New York. If it were anywhere else I would’ve been happy with the bagels, but I was hoping for more from New York. That’s just about my only real criticism of the lounge.

Delta One Lounge JFK breakfast

The real highlight of dining in the lounge is the brasserie, which is the lounge’s restaurant area. I had lunch here, and you can find the all-day dining menu below.

Delta One Lounge JFK brasserie menu

You can also find the drink list below, which is the same throughout the entire lounge. As you can see, most alcohol is complimentary, while some premium drinks are available for purchase. Some people find it cheap that Delta charges for certain drinks, but it didn’t bother me, since I found the complimentary selection to be more than sufficient.

Delta One Lounge JFK cocktail list
Delta One Lounge JFK wine list
Delta One Lounge JFK wine list
Delta One Lounge JFK spirits list

The idea is that you can enjoy a three-course meal here, and it’s all served pretty efficiently if you’d like, so that you can enjoy this even if you don’t have too much time.

For the starter, I ordered the tuna crudo with avocado, shaved radish, sesame snow, and black bean sauce.

Delta One Lounge JFK brasserie lunch

For the main course, I selected the pan roasted branzino with exotic mushroom, tomato fondu, and herb butter.

Delta One Lounge JFK brasserie lunch

Lastly, for dessert I had the opera cake with coffee crumble and chocolate sauce. My server proactively brought me vanilla ice cream to go with it, since she said that’s how she likes it as well.

Delta One Lounge JFK brasserie lunch

At the conclusion of the meal, I had an espresso martini to drink.

Delta One Lounge JFK brasserie cocktail

I can’t say enough good things about the meal. It wasn’t just good by airport lounge standards, but was genuine restaurant quality. I don’t remember the last time I’ve had a meal this good in a business class lounge.

Beyond the two dining areas and the bar, the lounge has several drink stations throughout. This includes coffee — there’s no barista coffee in the lounge, but the machines do a pretty good job.

Delta One Lounge JFK drink station

Soft drinks are dispensed out of machines that are much cooler-looking than your typical soda fountains.

Delta One Lounge JFK drink station

The wellness area even has a station with infused water and juice.

Delta One Lounge JFK drink station

For those looking to get an alcoholic drink without going to the bar, there are staffed beverage carts throughout the lounge, where staff will gladly pour you a drink, with all kinds of wine available. Even beyond that, staff are willing to get you a cocktail, or anything else you might want.

Delta One Lounge JFK beverage cart

Delta One Lounge New York JFK wellness area & spa

The Delta One Lounge JFK has a wellness area, tucked behind the market dining space. This has four seats in the center section, and then various types of seating behind curtains, where various services are available. Note that this isn’t open over all hours — for example, during my visit, treatments only started at 12PM.

Delta One Lounge JFK wellness area
Delta One Lounge JFK wellness area

The wellness area offers a variety of 10-minute spa treatments, ranging from an eye treatment, to a hand and arm massage, to a shoulder, scalp, and temple massage.

Delta One Lounge JFK spa treatment menu

These are live treatments with therapists, and appointments are available on a first come, first served basis.

Delta One Lounge JFK spa treatment room
Delta One Lounge JFK massage chair

In addition to the treatments with therapists, there are also some massage chairs, plus some relaxation chairs with Delta’s onboard bedding.

Delta One Lounge JFK massage chair
Delta One Lounge JFK relaxation chair

Delta One Lounge New York JFK bathrooms & showers

The Delta One Lounge JFK has bathrooms on each end of the facility. At the far end of the facility, near the showers, you’ll find individual restrooms, which are gender-neutral.

Delta One Lounge JFK signage
Delta One Lounge JFK bathrooms

These bathrooms are elegantly designed and spacious, and are also constantly refreshed by cleaners.

Delta One Lounge JFK bathroom
Delta One Lounge JFK bathroom

On the other end of the lounge you’ll find shared restrooms, which are gender segregated.

Delta One Lounge JFK bathroom
Delta One Lounge JFK bathroom

The lounge also has eight shower suites, which must be among the most luxurious airport shower suites you’ll find anywhere.

Delta One Lounge JFK shower suites

Each shower suite has a sink, toilet, and walk-in shower. The amenities are impressive as well, with everything from bathrobes, to Delta branded slippers, to Grown Alchemist toiletries. I do wish the shower pressure were a bit better, though.

Delta One Lounge JFK shower suite
Delta One Lounge JFK shower suite
Delta One Lounge JFK shower suite
Delta One Lounge JFK shower suite toiletries
Delta One Lounge JFK shower suite toiletries

There’s even a “secret” door you can open, in case you need any ironing services.

Delta One Lounge JFK shower suite ironing

Shower suites, as well as some other amenities, can be reserved via little reservations monitors. It’s a pretty easy process, and then you receive a text when it’s your turn.

Delta One Lounge JFK reservations system

Delta One Lounge New York JFK service

The Delta One Lounge JFK is physically beautiful, with incredible food and amenities. But what can’t be overstated is the extent to which the staff contribute to the joy of spending time here. The Delta One Lounge is really well staffed, with really lovely people.

I don’t know how Delta does it, but it feels like every single person in the lounge is committed to ensuring that guests have an amazing time, and that really makes you feel welcome. I don’t even know where to start:

  • As you enter the lounge, you’re asked if it’s your first time, and they offer to give you a tour, explain the amenities, etc.
  • The lounge staff even offer to hold onto your luggage while you’re in the lounge, so you don’t have to carry it around
  • No matter where you’re seated, lounge staff are constantly seeing if guests want anything to drink, or if they need anything
  • Alex was taking of me in the brasserie, and she couldn’t have been lovelier or more engaging; she asked each person she was serving their name, and then addressed them by name throughout the interaction, in addition to just generally being kind and attentive
  • As someone who takes a lot of pictures, often lounge staff will roll their eyes at me, or look annoyed — one staff member who saw me taking pictures commented “I’m always so happy when I see people taking pictures, it means they like what we’re offering”

Whatever Delta is doing with hiring and training in this lounge is working, and I hope that trend continues. It’s so refreshing to feel like you’re surrounded by people who take pride in what they do.

Bottom line

The Delta One Lounge JFK is stellar. I had high expectations going into my visit, and despite that, they managed to be exceeded. The Delta One Lounge JFK is spacious, and has a beautiful and functional design, with a variety of seating options. The lounge also has delicious food, friendly service, spa treatments, and more.

Admittedly your impression of this lounge will probably differ based on when you visit. If you just visit briefly in the late afternoon or evening, you might not be that blown away, since the lounge will likely be at capacity. But regardless, this is a really impressive facility, and that same issue exists at virtually every lounge.

This is without a doubt the most impressive business class lounge you’ll find in the United States, and I’d argue that it’s also one of the very best business class lounges in the entire world. While we had to wait a long time for Delta One Lounges to open, it sure was worth the wait.

When I visit lounges I always take notes about my experiences, for when I sit down to write my review. I’ll share one note I took during my visit — “this makes an American Flagship Lounge feel like a soup kitchen, by comparison.”

What’s your take on the Delta One Lounge JFK?

Conversations (36)
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  1. Paul Guest

    Sorry, this lounge doesn't even compete with United's Polaris lounges. Besides, Delta is a second tier airline, employing non-union workers. In fact, Delta has spent tens of millions of dollars demonizing unions over the years, resulting in employees who make less over their careers, have fewer benefits, and are at will employees meaning they can be fired at any time for any reason with or without cause with or without notification. Why anybody would want...

    Sorry, this lounge doesn't even compete with United's Polaris lounges. Besides, Delta is a second tier airline, employing non-union workers. In fact, Delta has spent tens of millions of dollars demonizing unions over the years, resulting in employees who make less over their careers, have fewer benefits, and are at will employees meaning they can be fired at any time for any reason with or without cause with or without notification. Why anybody would want to fly an airline with those kinds of values is beyond me. But as for the product itself, this is definitely second rate.

    1. Tim Dunn Diamond

      you do realize that UA's FAs and mechanics - 35,000 employees - are working under contracts that became amendable in the past? Those 35K employees are being paid well below their peers.

      And remember that even UA's pilots - which have the same profit sharing formula as DL's pilots - got just 2/3 of the profit sharing that DL pilots go.

      spare us the union non-sense. Not only are you dead wrong on the value...

      you do realize that UA's FAs and mechanics - 35,000 employees - are working under contracts that became amendable in the past? Those 35K employees are being paid well below their peers.

      And remember that even UA's pilots - which have the same profit sharing formula as DL's pilots - got just 2/3 of the profit sharing that DL pilots go.

      spare us the union non-sense. Not only are you dead wrong on the value of what unions do or have done for United employees but every other objective person - including Ben - accurately notes that the Delta One lounges are in a league well beyond Polaris lounges.

      And the Delta One suite is in a league well beyond Polaris.

      I'm sorry if your bubble has been burst but the evidence is overwhelming that DL is growing its more profitable international network and WILL take a piece of the share that UA is now carrying.

    2. Santos Guest

      It seems your real beef is with DL's union stance. The comparative judgment against Polaris is not only absurd but feels shoehorned in.

      This is aesthetically on par with Polaris ORD or IAD (maybe a tad bit gaudier) and the food/bev offering is better across the board.

      I will take the Polaris in-flight product over Delta One for international travel, though, as far as domestic carriers go.

  2. Tim Dunn Diamond

    Ben loves to throw some red meat into the ring regarding airline strategy but his reviews are accurate because he realizes his reputation is associated w/ his reviews.

    Thus when he says the following, you have to respect that he is one of the most traveled traveler reviewers.
    “Delta waited a long time to get into the game of operating premium lounges and competing with American Flagship Lounges and United Polaris Lounges, but my...

    Ben loves to throw some red meat into the ring regarding airline strategy but his reviews are accurate because he realizes his reputation is associated w/ his reviews.

    Thus when he says the following, you have to respect that he is one of the most traveled traveler reviewers.
    “Delta waited a long time to get into the game of operating premium lounges and competing with American Flagship Lounges and United Polaris Lounges, but my gosh, the airline knocked it out of the park.
    “The Delta One Lounge JFK is incredible. It’s without a doubt the best business class lounge in the United States, and I’d argue it’s one of the top few business class lounges in the world (if not the best).”

    The real question is how these new Delta One lounges move the market; Delta is obviously investing in them with the expectation of a return on investment.
    Let’s look at where DL stands and where it has the potential to go in NYC, BOS, LAX and SEA – the 4 cities that have or will have D1 lounges in months.
    At NYC, Port Authority data shows that DL and UA are virtually tied in number of passengers boarded over the past 12 months. DL is the only one of the 4 NYC big players (also including AA and B6) that is growing; UA’s shrinkage will accelerate in 2025 as EWR rehabilitates runways.

    DL is the largest domestic carrier from NYC and also the largest to Latin America in conjunction with Latam. DL operates 15% more flights than UA from NYC and still has potential to grow flights from NYC due to slot usage exemptions; UA is at capacity unless it gets back into JFK.

    DL on its own metal is about 2/3 the size of UA on international routes but the two are on par when their JV partners are included; AC is the largest foreign airline in NYC (and in the US) but a fairly small percentage of AC’s traffic is to outside of N. America. In other words, DL and its JV partners’ widebody operations from NYC are larger than UA’s international operations plus UA’s JV partners.
    AA is about half the size of DL in both int’l and domestic flights from JFK and LGA.

    DL is larger than B6 at JFK in international passengers; given that DL’s international capacity is much more heavily skewed to longhaul international routes than B6, DL’s international revenue east of the Hudson is much higher than B6’s.

    In BOS, DL has handedly over taken B6, is the largest international carrier at SEA, and is the largest carrier at LAX even before it begins its inevitable further international buildup of Asia flights.

    Let’s keep in mind that DL does not operate any flights to Asia from either JFK or BOS and that is certain to change from JFK within a couple years; BOS potentially later.

    In terms of product, DL is not just upgrading its ground facilities w/ the D1 lounges but also upgrading its onboard product and training its FAs.
    Not only are the D1 lounges some of the best in the world, according to Ben, but DL’s onboard product and service could be on par with other carriers – including JV partner AF’s first class – within a couple years.

    In terms of fleet, DL is retiring 767-300s, an aircraft that its execs have said generates the lowest premium cabin NPS scores – and replacing them with A330-900s which have D1 suites.

    By the end of the year DL will have about 80 A350s and 339s with Delta One suites while AA should have a half dozen 787s in service with business class suites and UA will have precisely zero. All 3 will have premium configured A321NEOs by the end of the year; AA and DL have already said the focus will be on domestic routes; AA and UA will use them for transatlantic flights but DL will not. UA’s only business class suites will be on narrowbodies for years to come.
    DL will be getting its A350-1000s and will have more than a dozen of the most capable A350-900s in its flight by the end of the year, more than enough to fly anywhere in the world on an aircraft that is more capable than aircraft in AA or UA’s fleet. When the A350-1000s enter service, JFK and LAX are likely to see them which will also give DL the most capable and efficient aircraft i
    n the US carrier widebody fleet.

    Delta moves very methodically and has built its presence in NYC as well as at each of its 4 coastal hubs faster than any other carrier has ever grown in any competitive hubs. The DL One lounges, new aircraft, and upgraded onboard service will put Delta in the best position any US airline has ever been in to grow in highly competitive international markets, of which all of DL’s coastal hubs must be characterized.

    The Delta One lounges are just a part of what DL will do to grow its international network.

    1. Timtamtrak Diamond

      The first two paragraphs are relevant. The rest is drivel. Why, why, why….

    2. Tim Dunn Diamond

      just because you can't understand it doesn't make it irrelevant.

      To add, DOT data shows that DL's international profit margin was 9% compared to its domestic system at 5% which is comparable to UA for both its international and domestic systems.
      AA loses money on its international network driven by losses on its TATL and TPAC networks even though it reports its Latin network as profitable.

      The implications are clear.
      AA will be...

      just because you can't understand it doesn't make it irrelevant.

      To add, DOT data shows that DL's international profit margin was 9% compared to its domestic system at 5% which is comparable to UA for both its international and domestic systems.
      AA loses money on its international network driven by losses on its TATL and TPAC networks even though it reports its Latin network as profitable.

      The implications are clear.
      AA will be very challenged to profitably grow its international netork.
      UA's profit margins on its international networks are comparable but its greatest strategic need is to grow its domestic system. It simply cannot grow its international network and also grow its international network because of the huge investments it is having to make to grow its domestic system.

      DL makes more money per dollar of revenue flying international than domestic.
      They aren't willing to commit to a huge international expansion without knowing that it will be sustainably profitable. In order to grow, they are spending on the 35K - the most expensive aircraft in the US carrier fleet - and the D1 lounges - which are not cheap to operate - even before upgrading onboard service.

      Bottom line is that DL intends to grow its international network, is the most profitable US carrier in international markets - on both an absolute dollar and margin basis - and they are investing in what it takes to grow.

      The Delta One lounges are part of a major international expansion that will be rolling out over the next five years..

  3. MikeDr New Member

    I'll provide a bit of a counterpoint. I was surprised by how crowded the lounge was, and a lot of the services -- massages and what not -- seem to be offered more to check boxes than anything else.

    The sit-down restaurant falls into this category as well. After experiencing a long international flight, really I want a comfortable, quiet space and a decent buffet -- not a four-star meal.

    I say this as...

    I'll provide a bit of a counterpoint. I was surprised by how crowded the lounge was, and a lot of the services -- massages and what not -- seem to be offered more to check boxes than anything else.

    The sit-down restaurant falls into this category as well. After experiencing a long international flight, really I want a comfortable, quiet space and a decent buffet -- not a four-star meal.

    I say this as a Delta aficionado who loves the regular SkyClubs, though admittedly I have not been to the one at JFK. I would have much preferred if they had dedicated more space to seating.

  4. Daniel Guest

    I hope UA takes notice here. Not expecting them to make significant upgrades to match, but with ORD's Polaris lounge getting renovated/expanded and the EWR getting expanded, I do hope UA takes the time to get closer to this.

    DL took a long time to get here, but yeah this looks fantastic.

  5. UncleRonnie Diamond

    Do you have to tip the bartender after buying a fancy glass of wine?

    1. TravelinWilly Diamond

      This lounge is so great, the bartender tips YOU.

    2. Santos Guest

      I am a self-professed over-tipper. I spent my teens and college years doing all sorts of crappy service industry jobs. But I don't tip at airline lounge bars and won't. The proposition is that it's a space where you get taken care of nicely as part of the fare you paid. But I detected a microsecond of awkwardness at the lovely new DL lounge at LGA where it was clear that the bartender expected me...

      I am a self-professed over-tipper. I spent my teens and college years doing all sorts of crappy service industry jobs. But I don't tip at airline lounge bars and won't. The proposition is that it's a space where you get taken care of nicely as part of the fare you paid. But I detected a microsecond of awkwardness at the lovely new DL lounge at LGA where it was clear that the bartender expected me to leave a dollar or two.

      All this said, 28k SkyPesos for a bottle of Grand Siècle? Or 2500 for a pour of Blue Label? Yes please.

  6. NSS Guest

    Food is good. Staff is good. Lounge is gorgeous. It’s also unbearably loud. Nothing absorbs any noise in there. I left after 20 minutes to sit at the gate. Which was much quieter.

    1. TravelinWilly Diamond

      The best place to avoid the noise is the observation deck. It has the sound of the planes, yes, but it's more of a white noise than the inside of the lounge (I can't hear a thing when I'm in cacophonous settings, and yes, that D1 lounge does get LOUD during peak times).

  7. Throwawayname Guest

    The sign clearly references VS Flying Club Gold members (but no other elites). Does that mean that you can get in flying in Y as long as you have that card?

  8. FNT Delta Diamond Guest

    I would expect such sensationalism and payola from Zach Griff at TPG, but not One Mile at a Time:

    "The Delta One Lounge JFK is incredible. It’s without a doubt the best business class lounge in the United States, and I’d argue it’s one of the top few business class lounges in the world (if not the best)."

    They charge for wine that other lounges give away for free.

    1. E39 Diamond

      This is my problem with it too. By all means, this lounge looks very good, and I'll actually consider flying eligible Skyteam airlines to try it.
      BUT, a paywall in a lounge? Don't like it all.

    2. FNT Delta Diamond Guest

      And as great as the lounge may be they're still putting you on a dumpy old 767 or an old A330. Would you rather a glitzy lounge or a better on-board product at $5,000 a ticket?

    3. yoloswag420 Guest

      You're literally so obsessed with alcohol and their price tags. It's not healthy. Every post you cry about this, HA's wine is to cheap for you onboard, D1 alcohol isn't good enough, etc.

      They already have plenty of great options that are complimentary. Them serving better alcohol would make a marginal difference, truly.

      If a cup of fermented grapes matters to you so much, then go to a vineyard, not an airport.

  9. Bill n DC Diamond

    Excellent Thanks I was hoping my VA UpperClass flight would get me access. The VA Club house is nice, but this is new!

  10. ScotchBilly Guest

    As a SFO based Flyer who sometimes gets routed thru EWR, for me Polaris is still beyond in the drinks game. On my last trips, they poured Lanson Black Label. I think it’s cheap of Delta to have this partnership with Taittinger and then to not pour it in one of their main gateway lounges. I’m one of those that prefers the “well-rounded” experiences, and Delta one just doesn’t do it (yet at least). For...

    As a SFO based Flyer who sometimes gets routed thru EWR, for me Polaris is still beyond in the drinks game. On my last trips, they poured Lanson Black Label. I think it’s cheap of Delta to have this partnership with Taittinger and then to not pour it in one of their main gateway lounges. I’m one of those that prefers the “well-rounded” experiences, and Delta one just doesn’t do it (yet at least). For me food in the air always sucks, so I make sure I eat on the ground or have my own provisions.

    1. Santos Guest

      I would agree that if you're going to partner with Taittinger, this is the place to showcase the damn product for free to your high-value travelers. It does ring a little cheap.

      I love Lanson and it's good to hear UA is pouring that in Polaris. Last Polaris flight I took had Monopole Blue Top and the FA and I joked that it was an unusually good selection for a US airline.

      And to...

      I would agree that if you're going to partner with Taittinger, this is the place to showcase the damn product for free to your high-value travelers. It does ring a little cheap.

      I love Lanson and it's good to hear UA is pouring that in Polaris. Last Polaris flight I took had Monopole Blue Top and the FA and I joked that it was an unusually good selection for a US airline.

      And to your last point, yeah food expectations with J and even F seem quite distorted. Outside of Do&Co, airlines provide pretty much Sysco-level catering for altitude-impaired taste buds. I'm not sure why people expect Michelin quality. I'd much rather eat on the ground and use my flight for sleep and work. But I'll take caviar and exceptional desserts if they're offered.

  11. TravelinWilly Diamond

    I'll be in this lounge on Thursday and again the following Monday.

    Thanks for the post - it reminds me that I'm in for a treat during a three-hour layover on one of the trips.

  12. Mike Guest

    This lounge and the subsequent DeltaOne flight JFK->LAX has made me switch loyalty to DL after I tried it.

    I may not pay 2x the other carriers, but I'll happily pay an extra 35%.

  13. yoloswag420 Guest

    Is this the best business class lounge on the East Coast? I can't think of one that's better. Polaris is objectively a step down. The staffing levels at Delta lounges are just much higher, which leads to more curated, bespoke service.

    For people that aren't obsessed with the pricetags on alcohol, they will enjoy the better food, service, and amenities much more than even at the Chelsea Lounge.

    My major concern is the bizarre inconsistencies...

    Is this the best business class lounge on the East Coast? I can't think of one that's better. Polaris is objectively a step down. The staffing levels at Delta lounges are just much higher, which leads to more curated, bespoke service.

    For people that aren't obsessed with the pricetags on alcohol, they will enjoy the better food, service, and amenities much more than even at the Chelsea Lounge.

    My major concern is the bizarre inconsistencies and access policies with D1 lounges. You have one that's 1/4 the size in LAX, then the BOS one is 1/2 the size of LAX, with short opening hours and weird partner access policies.

    1. Tim Dunn Diamond

      DL's JFK widebody operation is 2nd largest behind ATL.
      When ATL gets a D1 lounge, we can compare how large it is.

      DL allows transcon D1 passengers into the D1 lounge; UA does not. AA might add a bunch of 321XLR flights which will increase the usage of its premium clubs at JFK but the size of the JFK D1 lounge - its largest lounge on its system right now - reflects the number...

      DL's JFK widebody operation is 2nd largest behind ATL.
      When ATL gets a D1 lounge, we can compare how large it is.

      DL allows transcon D1 passengers into the D1 lounge; UA does not. AA might add a bunch of 321XLR flights which will increase the usage of its premium clubs at JFK but the size of the JFK D1 lounge - its largest lounge on its system right now - reflects the number of eligible passengers that can use it.

      The LAX D1 lounge seems to be less crowded than JFK at either's peaks. Lounge size is related to potential demand.

      DL will add more D1 flights to BOS and increase hours. Their partners for the most part apparently are not willing to pay the fees DL wants to use the D1 lounge or DL is not interested in outsourcing its JV partners, probably a combination of both.

      otherwise your comments are spot on.

  14. Arps Diamond

    Thrilled that the service here is top notch. Hiring a good service worker, let alone a good service team, is a huge challenge in manners-challenged NYC.

    What I mean to say is not that NYC is rude but NYC lets you get away with rudeness and an non-discerning hiring manager will quickly find his or her staff full of people who don't return a "thank you" with "you're welcome."

    Let me explain. Moreso than any...

    Thrilled that the service here is top notch. Hiring a good service worker, let alone a good service team, is a huge challenge in manners-challenged NYC.

    What I mean to say is not that NYC is rude but NYC lets you get away with rudeness and an non-discerning hiring manager will quickly find his or her staff full of people who don't return a "thank you" with "you're welcome."

    Let me explain. Moreso than any other city, NY is home to a wide spectrum of people. Knowing nothing about a New Yorker other than they are from here (let's even say born and raised) it is nigh impossible to know whether they'll say "thank you" when you hold the door open, whether they'll greet the receptionist at the doctor's office with a smile, and whether, when they tell you (non-sarcastically) to "have a nice day," they will wait for "you too" or they will instantly hang up the phone without even saying bye.

    Few New Yorkers are out-and-out nasty. Many have RBF and look grumpy; about half these people are just genetically/phenotypically ugly, and the other half merely don't care to present a likable countenance, which is their right but at the same time, goes to show you how much they care. But then you have people who do care, and to find and hire and train these people is a huge feat. Way to go Delta.

    1. Aaron Guest

      This has to be one of the most pointless word salads yet.

    2. Truth Guest

      They're one of the top trolls on the platform and has an army of accounts to upvote their drivel.

      They always talk some nonsense or reference some dumb law firm that they don't work at.

    3. Justin Dev Guest

      @Aaron

      Agreed. And also patently untrue.

  15. Mike O. Guest

    With Delta being the main tenant of JFKs terminal 4 as well as being one of their hubs, they really need to renovate the landside areas especially the departure and arrival areas from signage and flight information displays down to the floor tiles and paint as the paint is literally peeling.

  16. UnitedEF Guest

    Was just there love it! Way better than AA's offering. Was able to grab a late dinner on arrival from LAX. Great staff and great dinner.

    1. Arps Diamond

      AA's food at JFK lounges gave my colleague food poisoning. Please avoid.

  17. Super Diamond

    I love when everyone comes together to deliver an exceptional product that the service staff can be proud of and show that pride. A common sentiment after flying with Asian airlines is longingly asking "why can't we have this in the US?" so it's refreshing to see Delta deliver on that. Props to DL, and I really hope they can keep this up for the long-term with no degradation.

    1. Arps Diamond

      A common sentiment after flying with Asian airlines is longingly asking "why can't we have this in the US?"

      Diversity is the reason we can't have this in the US. I do not mean DEI. I mean the US celebrates individuality to an extent that we have no common sense of pride.

    2. yoloswag420 Guest

      It comes down to differences in culture.

      In the US, service workers are notoriously underpaid and take no pride in their work. This leads to them putting in the bare minimum to get their paycheck.

      In East Asia, kids are taught from a young age to excel and take pride in delivering high quality output. Since customer satisfaction is the top metric for the service industry, you get Asian staff that focuses on providing good service for customers.

    3. Paul Guest

      Sorry, but Delta is anything but United. It is very hard to come together when you demonize labor, and spend tens of millions of dollars on anti-union propaganda to ensure your employees make less, have fewer benefits, and are at will so they can be fired at any time with or without notification with or without cause. Now you know, so spare me your BS.

Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

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Aaron Guest

This has to be one of the most pointless word salads yet.

3
Justin Dev Guest

@Aaron Agreed. And also patently untrue.

2
Mike O. Guest

With Delta being the main tenant of JFKs terminal 4 as well as being one of their hubs, they really need to renovate the landside areas especially the departure and arrival areas from signage and flight information displays down to the floor tiles and paint as the paint is literally peeling.

2
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