Since New York was the international gateway city on my AAdvantage award, I planned a six day stopover there (yes, international stopovers were eliminated with the latest changes to the AAdvantage program). During that time I spent the first two nights in New York, and then I spent the last four nights in Tampa visiting…
Continue reading: Review: British Airways New York JFK First Class Lounge & Pre-Flight Dining
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
I agree that the dim light and lack of a view is a big drawback to this lounge. They had really good, fresh-baked macadamia nut cookies on my last visit though. I could have easily eaten the entire jar full.
My guess on the "flaw" is the toilet paper dangling uneven. Correct? Do I win something, miles? lol
I wonder why anyone flying between New York and London in business class would choose British Airways over Virgin Atlantic <---- because earn BA Avios is more useful than Flying Club miles and earn OneWorld tier much powerful, who don't want use the points to fly Cathay Pacific first class from JFK to Hong Kong but flying club miles can put you on Delta...haha
I'm gonna go with the toilet paper further away from the toilet than normal and the seat covers look to be unusually high on the wall.
I noticed the TP too, but I'd be more bothered by the shower mat already spread out (and the possibility that it may not have been changed from the last person).
Nice review. It does seem complicated. They should merge the two first class lounges together. It's not like one is SO much better than the other for own customers. They could have one big lounge with better facilities.
I'll go with the TP in the photo but I was wondering about the floor mat as well.
I think it is the design of the shower stall so that the water drips outside the area even while showering
That is a MAJOR flaw in my book
The EY lounge in Terminal 1 is terrible in that respect
The water leaks outside and it makes your luggage wet
The United lounge in the same terminal also has leaks FWIW. Might be a terminal-wide problem.
Also for someone who claims to not like 'buffets' you sure eat at a lot of them in your trip reports.
Couple of notes:
1. No one traveling on a BA First Class ticket visits the BA First Class Lounge. You go to the Concorde Room (which is amazing in comparison).
2. Anyone traveling on a BA First ticket does not queue for security. BA staff escort you through security and you cut any line that is formed even if it's for premium customers like Club. Then they take you directly to the Concorde Room which has a true dining room with a great menu. Amazing place to wait for a flight.
Just to let you know that whenever you go through the premium security line, you don't have to go through the scanner nor get patted down which is seamless. Unfortunately, its only open at night so if you have a morning or afternoon flight, you either have to go through the scanner or get patted down.
It's a good thing that the 'stick figure pictures' for ticketing, check-in, and self check-in are all identical. That should help differentiate the three places for those who don't read English at a busy international airport.
@ Ben -- Yes, when there's no other option. But at a hotel where I can have a buffet or a la carte breakfast, I'll always go with the latter.
@ Ben -- It is to me. I'd consider a longhaul to be 10+ hours, medium hall to be 5-10 hours, and anything shorter to be shorthaul. Don't believe there are any "official" definitions, and probably varies based on what each individual is used to.
"Since I’m sure someone will call me whiny and say I’m complaining, let me just clarify this."
It's not being whiny or complaining when you're directly comparing it to another lounge within the airport as a point of comparison. To be honest, I think you should do more direct comparison's between loungers/airlines/airports (looking forward to seeing your thoughts on Asian once you fly it again vs. Korean Air) in your TRs, to be honest.
Hi Lucky,
I have a OW First class ticket(on JJ), I know that I get the AA First class lounge in T8, would you stay there (4-5 hours) or get over to this lounge for a visit?
Would I get Spa treatment here?
Tia
Eric
Even the spelling by British Airways is atrocious. Have they forgotten their Peas & Q's?
"penang beef curry" should be "Panang" as in "Panang Curry".
Penang is the Penang Island, where they serve a mean Penang Assam Laksa.
@ Eric -- Unless you have a boarding pass for a flight departing T7 you won't be allowed to access the terminal, unfortunately. And spa treatments are exclusively for British Airways passengers.
@ Louis -- I'd almost take the Flagship Lounge over the BA First Lounge, since the Flagship Lounge has great views and is bright.
Wow you rarely post selfies. Didn't realize you're like...40. Nene Leakes? Oh bless your heart. I hope the champagne was good!
On picking BA vs. Virgin for JFK-LHR? The answer is most likely due to pricing/corporate policy. Most of the passengers flying are flying for work. It would be difficult to argue that one of Virgin's flights fit in your schedule but BA/AA does not.
BA's lounge is much superior to UA or DL on the ground. AA has a better hard product in the air 777-300, while BA's pre flight dining is quite attractive to flyers on the route.
The London City service is a winner for those that can book it. But for JFK-LHR, Virgin is nice, but i'm not surprised that AA/BA get the bulk of the paid J pax.
So if you're in ANA business class, can you use the "premium security queue located to the side of first class check-in"?
@ snic -- I believe so, assuming it's open. Though I'm not positive it's open during the day.
Yeah, I imagine many BA flyers don't get a choice due to corporate arrangements. Corporate accounts being tired to certain airline(s) is what makes legacies think they can get away with anything 🙁
Do you know if BA arrival at JFK terminal 7 has Global Entry? I am a travel agent with a global entry first class traveller asking this.
The Security Guards are really nasty at Jfk airport are unprofessional and Nasty.
My son works at 2 airlines at jfk overnight and went to the British Airways terminal lounge to get a few hours shuteye before starting another 14 hour shift and the guard, who looked of inidian descent, told him and British Airways passengers who were rating also I the nice couches In the lounge, to Move to the Hard seats.
Wtf?
What wrong with security at JFK and also Britush airways?
Is that British airways policy to harass customers overnigght?
My son was there at 4am and had just got off a 14 hour shift
My suggestion to jfk and British:
Get sleep capsules like others airports have in Helsinki
The 'First Class Lounge' is actually a misnomer. It is actually a Gold Members Lounge. You have the benefit of a bit of peace and quiet away from screaming kids, upgraded wines, real Champagne and some of the spirits, better sandwiches and by the looks of it, the same meal as served to Business Class preflight dining with the 'Action Station', light meal by Jet Tila.
All BA Food menus are printed in lower case by design, not that they don't know capitalisation. It keeps the text uniform. I sometimes used to change it because I am British :>)
The shower 'flaw', I am also going to say the toilet roll holder is a far reach from the pan when sitting!
Finally, ceiling leaks are the problem of the airport itself and I am sure the managers have reported it many times. Stuff like that is embarrassing for the staff never mind the guests.
Good review anyway and right on the money.
Have you found a massage chair at the first class lounge?
Wouldn't you love to use it?