V-Flyer

In the past when returning from New York we've always come back via JFK and in more recent years we have been fortunate enough to have access to the JFK CH which has been a very pleasant experience.

Now in December we have chosen to return via Newark and are wondering what the CH is like. I've done a search on here and elsewhere on the net and opinions seem to be quite varied from pleasant to the complete opposite.

On this basis I'm wondering if we should change our flights to JFK but before doing so thought I would check with those in the know.

So what's it really like?

Miopyk 8D

I have used the EWR CH twice now. It is a small but comfortable lounge but tbh there is no 'wow' factor to it.

The staff were friendly and professional. The food was good but with only a limited choice. There are some newspapers and magazines as well as free wifi.

Its before security and has no views of the outside - not even of the terminal areas. THe shopping (duty free and otherwise) is dire.

If you are choosing EWR as your departure airport simply on the basis of the CH then you are probably better changing to JFK (though I have not used the JFK CH it does get good write ups). If EWR suits you because of your other plans then stick with it. On my last trip I chose EWR because it gave me longer in NYC on my last day than a JFK flight ands that was more important than using tyhe JFK CH.

newark's fine but jfk is nicer - that goes for the CH & the airport overall. not sure which is worse for delays tho, i've sat in some long taxiway queues at both

Newark CH is probably best described as compact and bijou. It is cosy and comfortable with TVs and easy chairs with various papers and magazines that you might find in any business lounge. There isn't much of a "Virgin" feel to it tho', the food is nice and the staff are pleasant but there are no windows so I find it a bit claustrophobic. An hour in it usually suffices. JFK is lighter, brighter with more things to see.

I liked it. I think "compact and bijou" is a good description and with lots of squishy sofas and easy chairs its almost like being in someone's sitting room. Staff are excellent and circulate constantly taking orders etc. Hot food is brought out at a designated time (after a flight from, I think, Air India who share the lounge has departed) and it is buffet style. Its down side is the lack of views but that it true of EWR generally.

There had been talk of a new lounge but the recession has put that on a long finger

The JFK clubhouse is liked by more people, generally it's airier, more spacious and of course has much better views.

I however prefer the EWR experience hands down. As HL says, the clubhouse is comfortable, I always find the staff excellent, the food quality is miles better than JFK, I love the pudding trolley doing it's rounds, and I think there's a pretty good Virgin vibe about it. I get extremely comfortable there.

More than this, security is generally much easier at EWR, there are way fewer and much, much shorter ground delays too.

FWIW EWR is also my NYC of choice. Much as I love one or two of the JFK staff I'm not a big fan of the airport. EWR is cosy - I do prefer JFK aesthetically but JFK never remember me and welcome me back. EWR seem to WANT to serve you and you never have to wait long to be offered a refill.

We liked the EWR CH when we used it last October. On a wet and dark NYC evening we thought it provided a cosy, clubby, atmosphere. Service was excellent and, as Slinky says, the pudding trolley round is fun.

Paul

The EWR Clubhouse beats them ALL!

Thanks for all your views, it sounds as though the EWR CH is a bit like the one in Boston. On balance I think we'll stick with our current booking out of EWR and see what it's like.

Miopyk 8D

Just remembered I uploaded some pics on here. Took them in March 2009

the-community/photos/photo?userid=3972&albumid=3972#photoid=3711

the-community/photos/photo?userid=3972&albumid=3972#photoid=3712

the-community/photos/photo?userid=3972&albumid=3972#photoid=3713

the-community/photos/photo?userid=3972&albumid=3972#photoid=3713

(can a nice kind mod sort the 'img' out - I tried but a message about determining the dimensions appeared)