Delta One’s New JFK Lounge Sets a New Standard—Here Are 5 Reasons to Be Impressed

Covering nearly 40,000 square feet, Delta Air Lines’ latest lounge at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York boasts luxurious amenities, including shoe-shining services, zero-gravity massage chairs, an outdoor terrace, and a full-service restaurant.

Unlike Delta Sky Clubs, where travelers can buy a membership or gain entry with certain credit cards, access to this lounge is exclusive. The new concept, Delta One (named after the airline's long-haul business-class offering), is reserved solely for passengers flying in business or first class.

Here’s everything you need to know about Delta’s inaugural Delta One lounge at JFK, featuring its standout amenities and details on how to gain access.

A dedicated ground-side check-in area

Passengers in the front of the plane won't have to queue in the standard check-in line before passing through airport security. They will have access to a dedicated check-in area in a private room with frosted-glass windows, separate from the lounge. While their bags are checked and boarding passes are printed, staff will offer warm towels and light refreshments.

Later this year, Delta intends to introduce a private TSA security checkpoint for business-class travelers that will lead directly to the lounge area. Until then, guests must go through the regular security checkpoint after using the exclusive check-in area, but it’s just a short walk to the lounge once they clear security.

A brasserie, a bakery, and a beverage cart

One of the main attractions of this new venue is the 140-seat sit-down restaurant, the Brasserie. With a three-course meal offering, the French-inspired menu, curated by Union Square Events and Restaurant Associates, features dishes like hamachi crudo with avocado, chili crisp, and honey citrus vinaigrette; rotisserie chicken served with creamy Parmesan polenta, baby greens, and jus gras; and a dark chocolate soufflé paired with vanilla anglaise.

For those preferring a more casual dining experience (or lacking time for a full meal), there’s a delicatessen area with bakery and market counters, featuring a self-service salad bar, sandwiches, flatbreads, and desserts like passionfruit lemon bars and brown-butter chocolate cookies.

While guests can grab drinks, including classic cocktails like a French 75 and signature sippers such as a peach maple syrup old-fashioned at the bar, they can also remain seated—every lounge chair is attended by a blue-velvet-trimmed beverage cart.

Additionally, there’s the Rejuvenation Bar, serving a selection of non-alcoholic beverages on tap, including green tea, beet juice, and flavored waters.

An all-season terrace with views of the runway

For a breath of fresh air before your flight, the new Delta One lounge features a wraparound, all-season terrace equipped with a retractable glass sunroof, seasonal plants, and climate control. With floor-to-ceiling windows, guests can enjoy stunning runway views, and there’s ample seating for about 40 visitors on outdoor sofas and lounge chairs.

Spa treatments and shower facilities with ironing services

For a little pre- or post-flight relaxation, the lounge offers nine reservable relaxation pods, five of which include full-body zero-gravity massage chairs, while the rest feature nap chairs. Additionally, guests can enjoy a complimentary 10-minute spa service on a first-come, first-served basis, with options like a shoulder and neck massage to combat jet lag, a soothing hand and arm treatment, or a mini-facial using cryotherapy ice globes to reduce puffiness.

The Delta One lounge features eight shower rooms, each equipped with towels, slippers, robes, hair dryers, and skincare products from Grown Alchemist. Each shower room includes a convenient two-way closet for guests to hang suits and jackets, which valets can access to iron clothes without interrupting travelers. Guests can also have their shoes polished either by the valet or at a dedicated stand near the entrance.

Ultra-stylish design

This is Delta’s largest lounge to date, accommodating up to 515 passengers. Despite its size, the space is thoughtfully divided into cleverly designed areas. The first area guests encounter is the Fireplace Lounge, featuring leather swivel chairs and couches arranged around a faux fireplace, adorned with pillows, vases, and coffee-table books designed by the luxury Italian brand, Missoni, identifiable by its iconic zigzag pattern.

Moreover, the lounge pays homage to New York architecture. The art deco-inspired Icon Bar boasts a gold ceiling and fluted glass light fixtures, reminiscent of Radio City Music Hall. In addition, the market and bakery area showcases a penny-round ceiling inspired by the original Eero Saarinen-designed JFK terminal, while the chandelier in the main dining area evokes the Brooklyn Bridge.

How to gain access to the Delta One Lounge at JFK

The exclusive Delta One lounge for business and first-class passengers is situated between Concourses A and B in Terminal 4 at JFK, right next to the main security checkpoint. It operates daily from 4:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

There are three ways to enter the lounge:

• If you are flying on a same-day Delta One business-class ticket
• If you are traveling in business or first class on a same-day flight with one of Delta’s select partners, including Air France, LATAM, KLM, Korean Air, or Virgin Atlantic
• If you are a Delta 360 member departing or arriving on a Delta first-class ticket. (Delta 360 is an invite-only membership for the airline’s most frequent flyers.)

This isn’t the first instance of an airline creating a dedicated area for business and first-class travelers. Both American Airlines and United Airlines provide similar spaces, referred to as Flagship and Polaris lounges, respectively.

Later this year, Delta plans to launch two more Delta One lounges at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in October and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) in November.