- Introduction: Zipping To Tokyo Via Mongolia
- Review: American First Class Boeing 737 (MIA-LGA)
- Review: Chase Sapphire Lounge New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
- Review: Chase Sapphire Lounge New York Kennedy Airport (JFK)
- Review: VIP ONE Lounge New York Kennedy Airport (JFK)
- Review: Primeclass Lounge New York Kennedy Airport (JFK)
- Review: Turkish Airlines Lounge New York Kennedy Airport (JFK)
- Review: Lufthansa Lounge New York Kennedy Airport (JFK)
- Review: Air France Lounge New York Kennedy Airport (JFK)
- Review: Air France Business Class Airbus A350 (JFK-CDG)
- Review: Air France HOP Business Class Embraer E190 (CDG-FRA)
- Review: Hyatt Place Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
- Review: Primeclass Lounge Frankfurt Airport (FRA)
- Review: MIAT Mongolian Airlines Business Class Boeing 787 (FRA-UBN)
- Review: MIAT Mongolian Airlines Lounge Ulaanbaatar Airport (UBN)
- Review: MIAT Mongolian Airlines Business Class Boeing 737 (UBN-ICN)
- Review: Seoul Incheon Airport Transit Hotel (ICN)
- Review: Oneworld Lounge Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN)
- Review: ZIPAIR Full Flat Business Class Boeing 787 (ICN-NRT)
- Review: Hotel Villa Fontaine Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
- Review: TIAT Lounge Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
- Review: Cathay Pacific Lounge Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
- Review: Japan Airlines First Lounge Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
- Review: Japan Airlines First Class Airbus A350-1000 (HND-JFK)
During my trip to Japan via Mongolia, I had the chance to check out several lounges at New York JFK Terminal 1 prior to my Air France A350 flight to Paris. My first stop was at the VIP Lounge New York JFK (and subsequently I checked out the Air France Lounge, the Lufthansa Lounge, the Primeclass Lounge, and the Turkish Airlines Lounge).
I find this to be an intriguing concept, as VIP ONE JFK offers both a landside lounge, as well as a fast track security feature. While the lounge as such isn’t the most exciting thing on earth, the fast track security is hugely valuable, given what a mess JFK Terminal 1 can be. This facility is a treat, especially since you can access it with Priority Pass.
In this post:
VIP ONE Lounge New York JFK location
The VIP ONE Lounge New York JFK is a bit hidden, so you have to know where to look. Once you’re in the check-in hall of Terminal 1 JFK, just look for check-in counters in the “E” row, immediately to the left of the main security checkpoint.
Immediately behind that you’ll see the exterior of the VIP ONE Lounge, so that’s how you can access the lounge. Let me emphasize that this lounge is landside (before security). After all, one of the selling points of this facility is that you get expedited security.
VIP ONE Lounge New York JFK hours
The VIP ONE Lounge New York JFK is open daily from 8AM until 12AM, covering a vast majority of departures from the terminal. Terminal 1 is used exclusively by select international airlines, and doesn’t have many early morning departures.
VIP ONE Lounge New York JFK entry requirements
The most practical way to access the VIP One Lounge New York JFK is through Priority Pass. Priority Pass members can access the facility for up to three hours, and any visit to the lounge includes fast track security. To my knowledge, this is the only facility in the United States where you can get fast track security by having Priority Pass, so that’s pretty awesome.
In addition to Priority Pass, the VIP ONE Lounge also sells access for cash. Prices range from $45 just for fast track security, to $65 for fast track security plus the lounge, to $200 for all of the above plus an escort from the curb to the gate.
Lastly, some airlines have partnered with VIP ONE to offer this service for first class passengers. To my knowledge, those airlines include Air France, Korean Air, and Lufthansa.
VIP ONE Lounge New York JFK seating & layout
Inside the entrance to the VIP ONE Lounge JFK is a reception desk, with the fast track security to the right, and the lounge to the left.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this lounge, given that it’s essentially a makeshift setup within the check-in hall, and I also think the primary selling point of the facility is the fast track security. So with that in mind, I was pleasantly surprised by the lounge. It was small but reasonably nice.
There was one main room with chairs arranged in rows facing one another, as well as dining tables with two chairs each.
Then there was the area with the buffet, with also had a couple of long communal tables with a bunch of chairs.
Then there was a small room off to the side, with a couch and some more chairs (this room was marked as reserved).
The facility was basic but nice enough. In particular, I appreciated how empty the lounge was, as there was no one else using it during my visit. Nowadays that’s a rare treat for Priority Pass in the United States.
VIP ONE Lounge New York JFK food & drinks
The VIP ONE Lounge New York JFK has a small buffet plus a small a la carte selection. In the morning, the food options included cereal, whole fruit, pretzels, chips, snack mix, muffins, cookies, and brownies. Drinks included drip coffee, tea, juice, soft drinks, and beer.
In addition to the buffet, tables have QR codes, where you can order from a more substantial selection of food. At breakfast, options included yogurt with granola, oatmeal, french toast, eggs, and more.
On top of that, you could order espresso-based drinks, plus prosecco or mimosas.
I’m sorry to disappoint y’all, but I couldn’t bring myself to order anything in the lounge. Not because it didn’t look decent, but because I eat way too much on these trips, so I have to control my consumption. For a Priority Pass lounge, I’d say the menu selection looks pretty good, though.
VIP ONE Lounge New York JFK bathrooms
Unfortunately the VIP ONE Lounge New York JFK doesn’t have bathrooms or showers. Instead, you’re directed to use the bathrooms in the terminal, right near the lounge.
VIP ONE Lounge New York JFK fast track security
The single greatest thing about the VIP ONE Lounge New York JFK is that it offers fast track security. You can enjoy the lounge, and then once you’re ready to proceed through security, one of the lounge staff will assist you with that.
The lounge has a private door that leads directly to the TSA agent who is checking IDs, so you can completely avoid the wait for the ID check. I should also mention that the VIP ONE Lounge staff are pretty aggressive (in an entirely good way) with helping you get as close to the front of the line at the security belt as well. They really do make this feel like a VIP experience, much different than something like CLEAR.
While this concept can be useful just about anywhere, it’s especially valuable at JFK Terminal 1, which I find to have among the most disorganized security of any terminal in the country, at least during peak hours.
A large percentage of the passengers passing through security aren’t American and don’t speak English as their first language (or at all). So they’re not familiar with security policies, and then you see the TSA agents simply barking their orders more loudly at them, as if the issue is volume, rather than comprehension.
I can’t understate how valuable VIP ONE is during peak hours, as it can save you a lot of time and aggravation.
Bottom line
The VIP ONE Lounge New York JFK is a unique facility that Priority Pass members have access to. This consists of a decent landside lounge with a small selection of a la carte food and drinks. However, the main reason to use this facility is for the fast track security feature, which can save you a significant amount of time during busy periods.
If you’re a Priority Pass member with unlimited visits, there’s absolutely no reason not to visit this lounge, even if it’s just for access to the security channel.
What do you make of the VIP ONE Lounge New York JFK?
Used it a few weeks ago when flying Swiss First (it’s included) - it may have been faster but the dirty looks, loud comments and in some cases physical pushing from the people in the line (that you are cutting) was not a very premium experience!
This would only work if there was a separate security line, forcing you into a long queue of grumpy people that have been waiting is not much fun.
Who cares about those people. You only need to interact with TSA.
I paid to use this service a couple of times before it became a lounge and started accepting PP users. Back then it has always been a truly smooth experience and a useful tool to get past the chaotic T1 securities. Now I do worry whether it can still serve that purpose during peak hours, given how many people have PP cards.
Can I use this Terminal 1 lounge if departing from Terminal 8? Not using their fast track, but just exiting the lounge and taking a shuttle to Terminal 8?
Priority Pass says (the emphasis is mine)
The lounge operator says
Priority Pass says (the emphasis is mine)
The lounge operator says
The strict interpretation of the above is you need a T1 international departing boarding pass. You might be able to beg your way in with a T8 boarding pass. Prepare for questioning because your presence in a T1 lounge before a T8 flight will be baffling to the reception. In case other OMAAT readers do not know, JFK terminals are not connected after security, or for that matter, even before security. All the terminals are basically separate mini-airports.
There is no post-security shuttle to T8.
Used this lounge for the first time a few weeks ago, just to skip the security line. It was bedlam. The lounge was CRAMMED with people trying to do the same thing. TSA only let in a couple of lounge guests into the security line at a time. It took much longer than just waiting in the regular line. I almost missed my flight, and some people behind me actually did. For a lounge whose singular reason for existing is to expedite, they failed miserably.
Maybe they can do what normal airline lounges do. Accept Priority Pass only at off-peak hours.q
That looks so sad....Terminal 1 is not a pleasant experience (it is in the early stages of being replaced with a brand new terminal being built around it) but there are better options among the mediocrity that awaits post security. The Turkish Airlines lounge is nice, not big, with average food, but airy and pleasant. The AF Lounge is crowded and a bit dated, but also not a bad place to wait for your flight....
That looks so sad....Terminal 1 is not a pleasant experience (it is in the early stages of being replaced with a brand new terminal being built around it) but there are better options among the mediocrity that awaits post security. The Turkish Airlines lounge is nice, not big, with average food, but airy and pleasant. The AF Lounge is crowded and a bit dated, but also not a bad place to wait for your flight. The LH Lounge is similar to the AF lounge. The PrimeClass Lounge at the end of the Terminal is also quite nice, and cosy.
"I’m sorry to disappoint y’all, but I couldn’t bring myself to order anything in the lounge. Not because it didn’t look decent, but because I eat way too much on these trips, so I have to control my consumption."
So in the future we can expect
" I couldn’t bring myself to do anything in the business class seat"
"Not because it didn’t look decent, but because I lie flat way too much...
"I’m sorry to disappoint y’all, but I couldn’t bring myself to order anything in the lounge. Not because it didn’t look decent, but because I eat way too much on these trips, so I have to control my consumption."
So in the future we can expect
" I couldn’t bring myself to do anything in the business class seat"
"Not because it didn’t look decent, but because I lie flat way too much on these trips" so I have to sit straight up and do nothing the whole flight"
Isn't trying things part of being a blogger that review experiences. Take one for the team. Mostly they are the good ones. Leave the bad ones to John Sebastian Josh. They seem to attract bad stuff all the time.
With all due respect, he has a family and can only be away for so long which means condensed trips which means cramming more into a shorter period. He mentions that the best posts are flight reviews so he prioritizes them. While I understand what you are saying, I think it's a bit unfair to say he will go as far as to say "I couldn't bring myself to do anything in this business class...
With all due respect, he has a family and can only be away for so long which means condensed trips which means cramming more into a shorter period. He mentions that the best posts are flight reviews so he prioritizes them. While I understand what you are saying, I think it's a bit unfair to say he will go as far as to say "I couldn't bring myself to do anything in this business class seat". He built this blog from the ground up, he can do as he pleases. If you don't like it, I'm sure it wouldn't be the end of the world if you did not follow along.
@ Eskimo -- On this particular day I visited six different lounges, and took a long haul flight. Of course being a blogger is about reviewing the experiences, that's literally what I did for the entire week I was away. ;-) But I also can't realistically eat six full meals over the course of a few hours.
@ Ben, since this one opens at 8am and some airside lounges open earlier (and you like to be there when they open), did you go through security to the airside lounges and then exit security to see this one when it opened? If so, wow, thanks for the dedication!
I feel like the star system used on this blog needs some sort of rating guideline appendix. Otherwise... what's the actual point? It's just a subjective opinion from the author who even admits they didn't even try the food. Derp
The food is obviously shit. Hampton Inn Express caliber.
The star rating system is an SEO trick. Not intended for human interpretation.
Ben published an article a long time ago stating the intention behind the star rating and the metrics he uses. In a nutshell, he is comparing this lounge to others in that category. Those 'categories' are quite specific (and I wouldn't say that all of them could be listed, but rather it's about how this lounge compares to similar experiences).
@ Shaheed Ellington -- Indeed it's supposed to be subjective, and isn't intended to follow some criteria, since there are so many different categories of lounges. The reason I rated this lounge highly (and this doesn't require trying the food) is the unique ability to cut the security line, which no other Priority Pass lounge in the United States offers. Given that most of us have unlimited Priority Pass visits, I'd say that's pretty great.
TSA at any JFK terminal is a mess. It is astonishing how TSA at some airports is a breeze and yet is so disorganized at JFK. A person could use this lounge just to get through security and then go to one's lounge of preference. Ha.
Yes that is the selling point of this lounge.
I just saw DT's comment about his experience. Ugh. So, perhaps not.
I guess you can always leave the lounge if the regular line is shorter. As long as you are not paying for this, no harm having it around.
Does the security give access to Precheck lanes, or just normal lanes?
Jfk T1 doesn't have proper precheck. Only that you can keep your shoes on and go thru metal detector instead of MMS. This does feed into the precheck light lane tho.
So you have to take your laptop and liquids out no matter what?
In JFK Terminal 1, at least the last time I used it a few months ago, everyone makes the same line, whether you have TSA PreCheck or not. However, when you get to the end of the line, you show the person sending you to the machines that you have TSA PreCheck and he or she will direct you to the one for people with TSA PreCheck (Metal detector instead of body scanner, no need...
In JFK Terminal 1, at least the last time I used it a few months ago, everyone makes the same line, whether you have TSA PreCheck or not. However, when you get to the end of the line, you show the person sending you to the machines that you have TSA PreCheck and he or she will direct you to the one for people with TSA PreCheck (Metal detector instead of body scanner, no need to take out electronics, take off shoes, etc.), but there seemed to be no separate TSA PreCheck line.
i see. SFO has a similar arrangement at International departures during the late night hours. you have to make sure the ID checker gives you a card that says you have PreCheck. otherwise you will be forced to remove your shoes.
i almost missed my flight because my huge cojones led me to argue with the post-ID check officers as to whether or not i was able to keep my shoes on. don't they know who i am?
Hi Ben. Can you clarify if Pre Check is available when going through this lounge? Thanks.
Jfk T1 doesn't have proper precheck. Only that you can keep your shoes on and go thru metal detector instead of MMS. Kinda a precheck light.
TSA website says JFK T1 has Precheck. Maybe not all hours. Real shame on DHS/TSA if the flagship airport of the biggest city in the US does not have always-on Precheck.
@ ny110010001 -- As noted by Scott, based on my experience there's not actually a PreCheck lane open, but rather you get one of those cards telling you that you get select PreCheck privileges.