Chase Sapphire’s Latest Airport Lounge Launches at LaGuardia in New York
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If you had told me in 2016 that within a decade, LaGuardia Airport (LGA) would become my top pick for departing from New York and also feature one of the finest airport lounges in the United States, I would have laughed while choking on my Auntie Anne’s pretzel. But here we are.
After being awarded the title of best new airport terminal in the world by the aviation rankings organization Skytrax last year, LGA’s Terminal B is now the proud home of the newest Chase Sapphire Lounge by the Club, which opened on January 16 and boasts 21,850 square feet of space for travelers to enjoy dining, drinks, and relaxation before their flights.
The new LGA location marks Chase’s third complete airport lounge launch—following Hong Kong in 2022 and Boston in 2023—and is its largest to date. (The first Chase Sapphire Terrace, a smaller lounge alternative, debuted in Austin in 2023.) I had the chance to preview the new LGA airport lounge before its public opening. Here’s an insider look—and how to gain access.
Photo by Lyndsey Matthews
Where can you find the lounge inside LGA?
The Chase Sapphire Lounge by the Club is situated post-security in LGA’s Terminal B, which serves United, JetBlue, American Airlines, Southwest, and Air Canada. (Unfortunately, travelers using Terminals A, C, or D won’t be able to access it.) After passing through Terminal B security, take the escalators or elevators up one floor to the left, then walk through the food court featuring a central waterfall. The new Chase Lounge is located just beyond the American Express Centurion Lounge at the end of the corridor. (If you veer left toward the gates, you've gone too far.) The lounge operates daily from 4:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Courtesy of Chase Sapphire
What’s the experience like inside?
As the sliding glass doors of the lounge opened, I was warmly welcomed by three friendly staff members at the reception desk. From there, the two-level lounge unfolds into a spacious main dining area, featuring a circular cocktail bar at its heart, with cozier seating areas nestled along the sides, and a mezzanine accessible by a grand staircase or elevators.
I headed straight to the left side of the dining area to explore the self-serve beverage station, where I poured myself a glass of cold brew from a tap. For those who prefer made-to-order drinks, an on-site barista prepares beverages using beans from the local favorite, Joe Coffee at the bar.
Just past the beverage stations, I discovered an assortment of hot and cold ready-to-eat dishes (individually served instead of a buffet) that are regularly replenished from an open kitchen. I sampled items like kale salad topped with smashed avocado, roasted cauliflower drizzled with tahini dressing, and a creamy salt cod brandade (dip) crafted with potatoes by Joseph Leonard, a local West Village bistro. Each table features a QR code for ordering made-to-order meals, such as brussels sprout hash with bacon and poached eggs for breakfast, available from 4:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and roast beef sandwiches with melted raclette and horseradish dressing, offered from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Photo by Lyndsey Matthews
The bar boasts a wide selection of beer, wine, and spirits, along with a specialty cocktail menu curated by Manhattan’s Apotheke. Although I didn’t indulge during this visit, I’m eager to try a Blackburn’s Sour on my next trip—a blend of Zaya Rum, rhum agricole, blackberry, raspberry, açaí, ginger, lime, and golden pea shoots. (Alternatively, for a boost, I’ll opt for the Red Eye featuring Crop artisanal vodka, Joe Coffee espresso, black cherry, lime, pearl dust, and marjoram.)
Beyond the impressive food and drink selections, the lounge's most notable aspect is its stylish yet comfortable design, which replaces hard edges and stark white spaces with flowing walls, textured wood and velvet finishes, and contemporary art and photography. Chase’s design team intentionally crafted the lounge to feel like a private oasis away from the airport bustle, featuring luxurious yet cozy furnishings from Italian brands such as Cappellini, Poliform, Moroso, and DePadova. The artwork displayed throughout the lounge is sourced from the JPMorgan Chase Art Collection and includes pieces by Matthew Kirk, a Navajo artist originally from Arizona now residing in Queens, and Jeffrey Gibson, a Hudson Valley artist inspired by quilting and beadwork from his Choctaw-Cherokee heritage.
Courtesy of Chase Sapphire
Adjacent to the main dining area are several cozy spots perfect for relaxing by the fireplace, taking private phone calls in secluded booths, or sending a few emails before your trip. Parents can supervise their little ones as they expend their final bursts of energy in a small playroom equipped with a limited selection of toys. Meanwhile, older kids (or the young at heart) can enjoy an arcade featuring a pinball machine, shuffleboard table, and jukebox, cleverly concealed behind a photo booth.
On the mezzanine level above, there’s an open lounge designed to resemble a treehouse, complete with flowing wooden pillars and plants cascading over the edges. Although there are no windows in this lounge, its lofty ceilings and lush greenery create an airy atmosphere.
Courtesy of Chase Sapphire
Also found upstairs are three exclusive Reserve Suites by Chase—this is the first time these branded lounges have included them—available for booking at least 72 hours in advance through the Chase mobile app in the Benefits and Travel section, starting at $2,200 for a three-hour stay. Each suite is equipped with cozy seating, a television, desk space, and a private bathroom complete with a full shower. Guests can enjoy a signature caviar service, access a special reserve wine list from the New York wine bar Parcelle, and order unlimited food from a curated menu by Jeffrey’s Grocery, another beloved local establishment.
Courtesy of Chase Sapphire
For those seeking a refreshing experience at a lower cost, the Wellness Area located downstairs offers two meditation pods (available for free but must be reserved in advance) and two treatment rooms featuring five different 30-minute skincare treatments from Face Haus, a woman-owned facial bar that originated in Los Angeles. These treatments are complimentary and can be booked on-site on a first-come, first-served basis.
How to gain entry to the LGA lounge
The easiest way to access the new Chase Sapphire Lounge by the Club at LGA is by holding a Chase Sapphire Reserve® card, which grants cardholders Priority Pass Select membership. Generally, Priority Pass members can enter lounges on the date of their flight, regardless of the airline or class of service, and may bring along two guests at no additional cost. This policy applies to Priority Pass holders with a Chase Sapphire Reserve at the new LGA lounge.
However, Priority Pass members using other credit cards—including the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ($395 annual fee), the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card ($650 annual fee, see rates and fees), and The Platinum Card® from American Express ($695 annual fee, see rates and fees)—or those with a paid membership can enter a Sapphire Lounge by the Club location only once each calendar year at no cost (without guests). Any additional visits (or guests) will incur a $75 entry fee per person.
As with other Priority Pass lounges, a credit card alone will not grant entry; a valid Priority Pass must be presented. Note that Chase Sapphire Preferred cardholders do not have access to the lounge.
Future Chase Sapphire Lounges by the Club planned for other U.S. airports
Following the launch at LGA, Chase is set to unveil its next airport lounge on January 23 at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), located in Terminal 4 above gate A2. This JFK lounge will provide the complete Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club experience and will be in partnership with Etihad Airways, which previously managed the lounge in that location.
While specific dates are still pending, future Chase lounges are on the horizon for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), San Diego International Airport (SAN), and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).
Paul Rubio contributed to this report. Although the offers mentioned are accurate as of publication, they may change at any time and could be altered or no longer available.
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