JFK upper class lounge

Hi all,
I’m flying out of JFK soon (two upper class ticket holders and two economy).

I’m aware there is an excellent VA clubhouse to use, which will allow us to bring in both economy guests.

Apparently delta opened a new lounge recently, being part of skyteam, does this give access to VA upper class ticket holders and can they bring guests? Is it the better lounge?

Also, as this is my first time at JFK, any tips or pointers would be appreciated.

Cheers

[mitchja]

I don’t think your guests will get access to the Delta One lounge unless they are travelling in Upper Class unfortunately.

From the Delta website :

The Delta One Lounge is available only to Same-day departing or connecting flights operated by the following Delta partners in their respective first and business class cabins specified below:
Air France La Premiere and Business Class (Long-Haul);
LATAM Premium Business Class;
KLM Business Class;
Korean Air First Class and Prestige Class; and
Virgin Atlantic Upper Class

The JFK VS Clubhouse has lost is sparkle now as well unfortunately. It’s in need to a refurbishment which scuffed furniture, broken toilet seats and empty paper towel dispensers in washrooms when I was there last month

VS need to up their game now at JFK and that Delta One lounge is leaps and bounds ahead of the Clubhouse now, though it is a lot busier.

At least VS Upper Class check-in is back in the Delta One wing at JFK, which is also getting its own dedicated security line at some point as well.

I don’t think your guests will get access to the Delta One lounge unless they are travelling in Upper Class unfortunately.

From the Delta website :

The Delta One Lounge is available only to Same-day departing or connecting flights operated by the following Delta partners in their respective first and business class cabins specified below:
Air France La Premiere and Business Class (Long-Haul);
LATAM Premium Business Class;
KLM Business Class;
Korean Air First Class and Prestige Class; and
Virgin Atlantic Upper Class

The JFK VS Clubhouse has lost is sparkle now as well unfortunately. It’s in need to a refurbishment which scuffed furniture, broken toilet seats and empty paper towel dispensers in washrooms when I was there last month

VS need to up their game now at JFK and that Delta One lounge is leaps and bounds ahead of the Clubhouse now, though it is a lot busier.

At least VS Upper Class check-in is back in the Delta One wing at JFK, which is also getting its own dedicated security line at some point as well.

Although the staff in the LFK CH remain great the lounge is beyond tired, toilets truly awful and food lack lustre. I am in no hurry to use it if I could go into the Delta lounge. My gut feeling is we will see it close and all VS traffic funnelled into new Delta space as I cant see VS having the capital hanging around to refurb it which is well overdue

I agree about the clubhouse not hanging around, its not just about refurbishment, the clubhouse at JFK is simply to small to have the small facilities as the Delta One lounge,

Much like Delta using the clubhouse only at Heathrow I think JFK will end up the same.

The dedicated security lane is now open

https://thepointsguy.com/news/delta-one ... jfk-opens/

Thanks guys.

Looks like the delta lounge is the one, but would mean abandoning two of my companions.

Decisions

I was on the VS4 last night and can confirm the DL One Wing is open for VS pax.

There is a Virgin rep at the door who escorts you through to check in and hands you off to security.

There is only one lane on the dedicated security lane, I went through at 1.15 (I was shocked that VS had someone there so early) and it was fine, but I suspect like the UC Wing at LHR it could be busy at times.

Straight around the mezzanine onto the DL One lounge. I spent an hour in there before the CH opened.

Whilst the service concept isn’t quite as good as the clubhouse, I loved what they have done. The food was excellent, I just tried the Market rather than the restaurant. It was pretty busy at the time and apparently sometimes there is up to an hour wait for the restaurant.

It’s a step up from the CH in terms of decor and finish and the whole experience through the wing and into the lounge is very polished.

The clubhouse deffo needs some TLC and some new furnishings, although the service yesterday was on point and the bathrooms and showers very clean!

Thanks for the comments, all.

The segregated check-in/security was a nice touch and was relatively quiet despite the rest of the airport being hectic.

I did ask the Delta lounge if I could have a plus one, but as expected, this request was denied (fair enough, really).

We went to the CH instead and while I can relate to the comments of it being tired, we all enjoyed our food and drinks, and it was a great way to prepare for the flight home.

I believe I read that the Delta One lounge is only available to VS flyers, flying in upper class. Whereas you may be a gold flyer on a VS economy ticket and be granted access to the vs lounge, but *not* Delta One lounge.
Is this correct?

I believe I read that the Delta One lounge is only available to VS flyers, flying in upper class. Whereas you may be a gold flyer on a VS economy ticket and be granted access to the vs lounge, but *not* Delta One lounge.
Is this correct?

Yes that's correct, if your Gold on Economy ticket then you would need to user the clubhouse if open and if its not open you get access to the detla skyclubs.

[quote="narikin"Yes that's correct, if your Gold on Economy ticket then you would need to user the clubhouse if open and if its not open you get access to the detla skyclubs.

Yeah, good luck being VS Gold flying Economy and getting into a regular Delta Lounge (not Delta One Lounge). I'm Lifetime Gold, and have tried various times over the years at JFK, and after a lot of declining/ shaming, they begrudgingly admit I'm correct, and let me in. Welcome to a plastic wrapped apple and a Budweiser. I don't bother anymore with them, even flying Delta.

Despite the complaints here, the JFK VS Clubhouse is in another galaxy, compared to regular Delta ones!

I flew UC out of JFK a few days ago. As other have said the new security channel is open. It was very quiet (at 7pm), one person ahead and then straight in. I didn't go into the Delta One lounge as was with someone who couldn't access it. We enjoyed the clubhouse though, except for the showers being out of action. The service from Didi was really good.

I flew UC out of JFK a few days ago. As other have said the new security channel is open. It was very quiet (at 7pm), one person ahead and then straight in. I didn't go into the Delta One lounge as was with someone who couldn't access it. We enjoyed the clubhouse though, except for the showers being out of action. The service from Didi was really good.

So have they moved Upper check in etc as well? At one stage I remember being sent to the Delta One desk to check in for VS4, down at one end of the terminal, and going through priority security then. Last time though it was just some random desks across from the main bank of VS desks and actually not too quick because it was one member of staff on her own initially. Would be nice to do the whole thing in one area via DL on a VS ticket, if that's the new thing. Feel like it changes each time lately!

[mitchja]

VS Upper Class check-in is back in the (now refurbished) Delta One Wing at the far end of T4.

VS only temporarily moved Upper Class check-in whilst the Delta One Wing was being refurbished.

VS Upper Class check-in is back in the (now refurbished) Delta One Wing at the far end of T4.

VS only temporarily moved Upper Class check-in whilst the Delta One Wing was being refurbished.

Fantastic. Thank you! Got some steps in heading confidently in the wrong direction in June, and having to backtrack.

Hope your experience is as slick as mine. I had hand luggage only and was at the entrance of the Delta One lounge in <5 minutes from walking through the door at T4! There were two Virgin check-in desks on the end at the right hand side i.e. Delta first, then Virgin.

Hope your experience is as slick as mine. I had hand luggage only and was at the entrance of the Delta One lounge in <5 minutes from walking through the door at T4! There were two Virgin check-in desks on the end at the right hand side i.e. Delta first, then Virgin.

Wow. Will be checking a bag, but even with that it sounds so much better, and more civilised than the usual JFK scrum. Even with the priority line previously it always felt a bit stressful. Not as bad as immigration, of course, but not fun.

The VA upper class check-in within the Delta wing is a nice touch.

We sat down with refreshments while the staff took our luggage and passports and did the paperwork, and then they came back with our tickets, all while we had a nice cup of tea.

Got to use the new Delta wing today. So nice! I was very early for my flight and the VS agent basically escorted me from the entrance to the desk and did bag check immediately. Swung by the refreshments section and was given some key like pie and an immunity shot that could be brought through security. Super quick security with the new scanners and then around the corner to the Delta One Lounge, because why not? Thought they did a great job on that. Didn't bother with sit down restaurant but had tasty flatbread and desserts. Staff extremely nice and very attentive. Had a 10 min massage which was just fine, but won't complain about free. Then onto Clubhouse for proximity to the gate. The contrast was interesting - particularly in terms of staff actually. First woman who gave me food was smiley, but I mostly found they just gathered around and had fun among themselves. Not particularly warm or memorable. I seem to remember it being much better a few years ago. That's apart from the shabbiness and lack of treatments etc. Bit of a shame really - demeanour costs nothing

Flying from JFK to LHR on Sunday evening - just checking: as Gold VS we can use the new Upper Class VS/Delta check-in, with our miles Economy ticket?
(lucky to have got those back in Sept!)

Think we'll check out the Chase lounge first, but otherwise head to Virgin Clubhouse.

[mitchja]

Flying from JFK to LHR on Sunday evening - just checking: as Gold VS we can use the new Upper Class VS/Delta check-in, with our miles Economy ticket?
(lucky to have got those back in Sept!)

Think we'll check out the Chase lounge first, but otherwise head to Virgin Clubhouse.

Correct, yes.

Just checking here, VS upper into JFK then Delta First domestic. I arrived at the VS lounge in JFK expecting to be let in, but no. Apparently I had fallen fowl of the not on the same itinerary rule, I had booked the two legs separately. I was surprised at this but I looked it up and it is correct. Has anybody got into the VS lounge or any other in this scenario?

Just checking here, VS upper into JFK then Delta First domestic. I arrived at the VS lounge in JFK expecting to be let in, but no. Apparently I had fallen fowl of the not on the same itinerary rule, I had booked the two legs separately. I was surprised at this but I looked it up and it is correct. Has anybody got into the VS lounge or any other in this scenario?

You would only get into a lounge this way if your gold.

I am, she still said No

I recently came back from Chicago to JFK on Delta First with a few hours at JFK before Delta One to EDI.

In Chicago I went to the Delta lounge with my first ticket and VS gold but also needed to show my Amex Platinum to get into the lounge.

At JFK I was spoilt for choice with Centurion, Virgin or Delta One lounges. Chose the new Delta One lounge and was very impressed. Great food options, at seat drinks service, spacious lounge with lots of different areas for seating and everything clean and new.

That would be my first choice for future flights subject to access rules.

As an aside I stayed in Virgin Chicago hotel and as Gold I got an upgrade to a suite plus $25 for breakfast each day. Given the original booking was a black friday sale at around £110 per night this represented amazing value for money.