In November 2022 I wrote about how Turkish Airlines opened another lounge in the United States, in New York. I wanted to provide an update, as this lounge has finally officially joined Priority Pass as of January 2023.
Continue reading: Now Open: Turkish Airlines Lounge New York JFK
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
The Alitalia lounge is basic at best, and the newly reincarnated AZ probably can outsource its JFK lounge requirements temporarily to another carrier from within SkyTeam, or co-locate at T4 with Delta, though all that depends on whether ITA remains in SkyTeam or decamps. If it becomes part of Star Alliance, then it will presumably just use the LH lounge until the new T1 complex is built out.
If ITA is serious about being a full service airline catering to business clientele, it needs a lounge at JFK, it's largest station outside of Italy. I'd argue the Korean Air lounge is the worst at T1, and not AZs.
I say good riddance. What even was the point of this lounge existing, when Alitalia could have just sent its passengers to the Air France lounge (though before it was built maybe they could have contracted with the Korean Air lounge?). Just another example of unnecessary expenses the airline incurred.
Of course it happens after I shift most of my flying to EWR... oh well, still excited for this, wouldn't anticipate a big renovation considering a new T1 is coming.
The issue with the AF lounge is that several airlines use it + priority pass and it's pretty small. It can get really crowded. That's pretty good motivation to maintain a separate lounge. Here's to hoping TK gut-renovated it.
The question is if this lounge remains when T1 starts being rebuilt.
There is a good chance that Air France moves to T4 with Delta and KLM once Delta gains more gates in T4. T1 will lose capacity during the construction process
OMG, that old Alitalia lounge was atrocious. Glad to see someone will be ripping it up
I am but a small minnow in the points world, but the ability to use the Starbucks app and Stars at U.S. airports now has me rethinking meh PP lounges generally. 50 stars for all the caffeine I can handle and maybe just pay for a sandwich. The app bypasses waiting in line and the promos make stars easy to obtain. Then, working at an unused gate is usually better than the PP lounges. Who's with me?
I don't know if I'd walk over 10 minutes to this lounge given some of my PP experiences recently.
It's Nov 18th and the Business Class Lounge is open. We heard it opened Nov 11th. I'm not sure, but I don't think JFK is a major hub for Turkish and the lounge kind of reflects that. It's right next to Gate 2, which is convenient since that's the gate we're leaving from. It's on the smaller side, nice yet basic when it comes to amenities, and gets pretty loud.
All-in-all, great to have, but nothing special.
I feel like the TK lounge aesthetics is quite outdated, they essentially use the same style as the old lounge on the previous airport in Istanbul. Also the current lounge in Istanbul just feels dated in my opinion, nothing luxurious about it anymore.
"which would be great for those with a premium credit card"
And then we complain about lounges being overcrowded and whine about the lack of solutions to the overcrowding...
The Korean lounge in T1 was (pre-COVID) much, much worse than the Alitalia one: it resembles some kind of over-crowded detention centre. But the security queues are so long that you're highly unlikely to get to use a lounge anyway
Was there on Friday and while airy and nicely renovated it’s nothing to write home about. The LH lounges at T1 are still the way to go for Star Alliance flights from JFK
What a lousy lounge. Small, hot, cramped, no alcohol. Stayed 30 seconds and went to the LH lounge.
Looks very similar to their MIA lounge in Concourse E. If you only showed me the headline picture, I wouldn't have been able to tell them apart (and I have been to both lounges).
I loved the ambiance and the food! The pastry section is also delicious. Very pleasing and relaxing environment in the middle of a busy airport.
True, although I believe Air France prefers customers use their own lounge where possible. They also have an interest in terminal 1 and not sure what will happen once rebuilding commences. It makes sense for AF KL DL VS to be together.
Like the Korean lounge at LAX. Which is why AF has an agreement with Qantas to use their Lounge for La premiere customers. AF has also been saying they will have a their own lounge in the west gates / midfield concourse, which makes sense since AF KL have upto 7 daily flights ( incl Tahiti ) , and that’s excluding both Virgin and delta
@Julia, you're complaining because they opened a new lounge that takes stress of the other PP lounges by saying too many people will have access?
The TK lounge at IAD must be one of the best PP lounges in the US. Great food, great views and a great bar.
Always great to see an airline known for its good lounges opening up more.
I agree. Their old lounge in IST looked fantastic when it first opened 10+ years ago but now the new lounge looks dated. The IAD lounge is like a zoo and it is very difficult to find a place to sit at night.
“50 stars for all the caffeine I can handle”
That would be 100 stars beginning mid-Feb.
As the architect of the space I am glad to hear positive comments. Please spread the good news and visit our site for more photos. (note: the stone addition to the reception desk was made after the photoshoot).
Best.
https://www.studiovural.com/turkish-airlines-vip-lounge-jfk