Inside Delta’s Stunning and Gorgeous Delta One Lounge at JFK

by Krish Patel

Not too long ago, Delta Air Lines invested heavily into the airport lounge experience, with the introduction of its first-ever Delta One Lounge at JFK. The lounge is incredibly stunning from inside and has several luxurious amenities that make it very comparable to several international Business Class lounges. Without a doubt, this is the best lounge in New York’s JFK, if not in the entire country. Every small little detail has been carefully thought of, ranging from the wellness amenities to the food and drink. 

Delta One Lounge JFK Location, Hours, and Access

You’ll find the Delta One Lounge in the airline’s Terminal 4 hub, right between Concourses A and B. It’s open each day from 4:30 in the morning to 11:00 at night. 

Travelers departing New York in Delta One or Virgin Atlantic Upper Class are able to use an exclusive dedicated check-in area which then leads you through a private security lane above the departures level. After passing through the checkpoint, you’re only steps away from the swanky lounge. 

Connecting and arriving Delta One passengers can use the second lounge entrance, which can be found on Terminal 4’s departures level. There is a dedicated set of elevators that will take you up to the main level of the lounge, right next to which is a stunning travel-inspired Delta One art piece that’s just very captivating. After all, you can never go wrong with Delta One.  

Obviously, Delta’s transcontinental and international Business Class passengers can enter the lounge, as can those traveling in premium cabins (Business or First) on the following partner airlines:

• Virgin Atlantic

• Air France

• KLM

• LATAM (not a SkyTeam member)

• Korean Air

Note: Departing Air France and Korean Air premium cabin passengers may find it difficult to get to the lounge since both airlines operate out of Terminal 1. A ride on the AirTrain will be required to reach Terminal 4 and there’s no possible way to enter the lounge without having to re-clear security.  

Additionally, invite-only SkyMiles 360 members traveling in Delta First on a short-haul flight can also gain entry no matter the final destination.

Delta One Lounge JFK Seating, Layout, Amenities and Ambiance

Stepping foot into the Delta One Lounge, you’re welcomed warmly and given a card explaining all of the facilities. There’s also a table complete with the Wi-Fi information and self-serve tablets that can be used to book a reservation at any of the lounge’s amenities.

Right near the entrance are the lounge’s main restrooms, which come with several individual stalls. These bathrooms are incredibly well designed and look sleek. The walls by the sink are made up of blue marble tiles and you’ll find skincare items from the Grown Alchemist right by the sink. 

Making your way past the entrance foyer, you’ll find yourself in the main seating area, with the fireplace lounge to the left and a gorgeous seating area in front of the bar to the right. I love how the fireplace area just feels very cozy as if you’re in someone’s luxurious living room. It’s accented with throw pillows, stylish vases, and even a collection of coffee table books all supplied from the premium Italian brand Missoni. Adjacent to each of the seats in this part of the lounge is plenty of table space, and the attention to detail here is fully on display. The dark marble tables are very elegant and certainly make for a refreshing change from the typical plain white or gray side counters. 

The seating area opposite of the fireplace lounge is also beautiful, featuring brown swivel chairs and a cozy carpeted flooring. During my visit, I found the seating in front of the bar to be the most crowded part of the lounge, with most of the seats occupied. 

You’ll find similar furniture options lining the windows, which offer excellent views of Delta’s Terminal 4 gates. Right next to the seating options are several modern phone booths that feature various light and temperature control functions. Hanging on the walls are several inspiring works of local art, which is always a pleasant site in lounges.

To the right of this small seating area is a terrace that overlooks the aircraft and is open all throughout the year. It truly does a great job bringing the outdoors in thanks to the various potted plants, cozy Missoni furniture, and massive windows. You can find similar outdoor terraces in some of Delta’s signature Sky Clubs at their major hubs. 

Tucked away into a small corner towards the right end of the lounge is the main workstation. You’ll find three luxurious phone booths with glass doors, as well as a conference table and some plush seating. 

If you walk further towards the right, you’ll eventually come across the serenity lounge, which features a rejuvenation bar. The space is super tranquil, featuring plenty of seating and also comes with dim lighting meant to help travelers reduce jet lag. I loved the extensive selection of juices at the rejuvenation bar and found many of the flavors to be quite refreshing. However, what really made for a stunning site was the collection of inspiring vases displayed on invidious panels above the drink selection.

Within the serenity lounge is the entrance to the wellness room, complete with relaxation pods and five zero-gravity massage chairs. Spa treatments are available complimentary and involve the use of signature Grown Alchemist skincare products. It’s always nice to see a major airline partner with a premium skincare brand that’s well-liked among many travelers. 

Opposite of the wellness room and serenity lounge is a seating space with an exclusive ambiance. The high-end furniture, blue carpet, mood lighting, and stunning details all make this a relaxing spot to sit. In the corner of the seating area is a corridor that leads to the eight shower suites and second set of bathrooms. 

Available on a first-come, first-serve basis, each of the shower suites is very stunning and luxurious. The shower rooms are decked out in elegant marble walls and feature large mirrors backed by blue tiles. Amenities provided include Grown Alchemist hair and skin products, plush towels and bathrobes, and Delta-branded slippers similar to the ones you’ll get onboard. Best of all, these showers feature a steaming closet where you can have your clothes steamed while showering. 

Right outside the shower suites is a shoe-shining station, which is also available on a first-come and first-serve basis. 

Delta One Lounge JFK Food and Drink

With several options for food and drinks, you’re definitely not going to go hungry in the Delta One Lounge. 

The space features a bar that’s incredibly beautiful and comes with complementary beer, wine, champagne, and cocktails. Of course, there are also non-alcoholic drinks and I enjoyed a delicious “Smell the Roses” mocktail, which was very refreshing. What I really love about the bar is its design. It takes inspiration from Radio City Music Hall and boasts various eye-catching light fixtures and colorful designs. 

Right across from the bar is the in-lounge brasserie, where you can enjoy a complimentary three-course meal. There are elegant details all throughout the space, with hanging light fixtures and several high-end restaurant-style tables. The design of the brasserie makes it feel like a fine dining establishment in a Manhattan skyscraper instead of an airport lounge amenity at JFK. While the lounge is open for most of the day, the brasserie closes at 9:30 PM. 

Travelers who don’t have the time to sit down at the restaurant can grab a light bite from the dedicated Market and Bakery areas. The Market offers a selection of sandwiches, custom salads, fresh bread, charcuterie, and flat-bread pizza. Meanwhile, you’ll find more desserts at the bakery such as a collection of cookies, brownie squares, and sweet pastries. The chocolate chip cookie at the Bakery was one of the best I’ve had—it tasted very warm, fresh, and wasn’t too soft or hard.

Found right near the Market and Bakery is a massive dining area, with plenty of comfortable seating options that feature sufficient table space. I absolutely love the ambiance of the restaurant-style seating area, which features flooring made up of subway tiles and elegant blue furniture. In addition, there’s also a self-serve drink station complete with an iced tea dispenser, Vivreau flavored water taps, and Eversys coffee machines. 

Lounge attendants rolled around beverage carts in each of the seating areas, asking guests if they’d like anything to drink. Note that some premium wines and spirits aren’t complimentary and can be purchased in either cash or SkyMiles. The redemption rates for each of the non-complimentary alcoholic beverages is at a fixed one cent per mile. 

Overall Thoughts

The swanky Delta One Lounge at JFK is easily the nicest premium Business Class Lounge in the entire New York City area. Its curated amenities and spacious seating areas make this a lounge for every type of traveler. 

For years, Delta has built up the premium Delta One product onboard, but they always lagged behind American and United in not having a lounge tailored towards long haul Business Class customers. However, that’s changed now with premium Delta One Lounges at hubs like New York, Los Angeles, Boston, and most recently, Seattle. JFK’s outpost is unlike any Sky Club I’ve visited, with a strong emphasis on service and attention to detail. The dining experience, wellness facilities, and shower suites are all top-notch, making this space comparable to many international Business Class lounges. If you’re flying Delta One from JFK, then expect an impeccable ground experience all thanks to this amazing airport lounge.