JFK or John F. Kennedy International Airport is the main international airport serving New York City. There are a number of Priority Pass lounges in JFK, the best being in Terminal 7. There are a number of Priority Pass lounges in Terminal 1 and 4 too. One Priority Pass lounge is so good that we also feature it in our review of the best airport lounges at JFK.
Over ninety airlines operate out of JFK. It is a major hub for American Airlines and Delta Air Lines. JFK has 6 operating airline terminals; 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8 plus 4 runways and 128 aircraft gates. We review the best Priority Pass airport lounges in these Terminals.
We have already reviewed the best executive or club lounges in New York hotels.
Free Airport Lounge Access
If you have not paid for Business Class or First Class, you can still access lounges at this airport for a fee or for free if you have a Priority Pass. Get an unlimited Priority Pass with the Amex Platinum card, or you can also access most Priority Pass lounges for free using the free American Express Gold with its two free Lounge Club passes. To get extra referral points and advice on these free-lounge-access cards and more, have a read of our best credit cards for luxury travel.
1. Alaska Airlines Lounge New York, JFK Terminal 7
British Airways operates its flights out of Terminal 7, but if you are not flying Business or First, you can use your Priority Pass to access an exceptionally good lounge in Terminal 7.
The Alaska Airlines lounge JFK in Terminal 7 is superb and stylish with lots of dark, natural rustic woods, and varied seats with loads of power outlets. It’s one of the nicest looking lounges in JFK. It is also probably the best Priority Pass lounge in the whole of JFK airport because of the views, ambiance, and pleasant food selection. If you are flying out of Terminal 7, most likely on British Airways, this Priority Pass lounge is better than the JFK British Airways Business Class lounge!
You can access this lounge for free if you have premium American Express cards, such as The Platinum or the Business Platinum Card® from American Express which come with a free unlimited Priority Pass.
This JFK lounge is a Priority Pass Lounge, like other Alaska lounges. This means that if you’re flying out of JFK Terminal 7 on an Economy or Premium Economy ticket, you can access this lounge. This lounge is the best Priority Pass lounge in the terminal. I can’t think of a more stylish domestic airport lounge, plus it has windows with great views onto the planes.
The food in the lounge is good but limited in choice. There are two food sittings, morning and afternoon. In the morning you have pastry style food; bagels, English muffins, greek yogurt, scones as well as pancakes. Later on, there are seasonal salads, soups, a hummus bar, and cookies. Enough to temporarily keep hunger at bay, but not enough to fill you up long term. Instead, if you are ravenous, there are six larger a la carte “paid for” meals.
There are free soft drinks, good free coffees, and basic beer and wine in this lounge too, but premium beer and cocktails cost $8 USD each.
2. American Express Centurion Lounge, JFK Terminal 4
If you don’t have access to an airport lounge, for example, if you are flying in Economy or Premium Economy, you will want to try the undoubtedly excellent American Express Centurion lounge which will be opening at JFK n a matter of months. This will be the best non-airline lounge in Terminal 4.
You will not be able to access it with your Priority Pass, but if you have a Priority Pass from your Platinum American Express Card (or have a Centurion card), you can flash your Amex Platinum card at the lounge entrance and you will be able to access what will be a brilliant lounge.
The Amex Centurion Lounge New York JFK is expected to open in the first half of 2020. The lounge will be located in Terminal 4. It will be on two levels, with a total of about 15,000 ft², which will make it one of Amex’s largest Centurion Lounges. You can take a look at what to expect by reading our review of the superb American Express Centurion Lounge Hong Kong. In fact, this is one of the best lounges at Hong Kong airport regardless of your class of travel. If you have access to the VIP part of this Centurion lounge, you will be treated to high-end Champagne and truffles along with an excellent a la carte menu.
You can access this Centurion Lounge for free if you have premium American Express cards, such as The Platinum or the Business Platinum Card® from American Express. Holders of these cards can access Centurion Lounges free of charge with up to two guests. If you have an exclusive Centurion card (the legendary black card!) you get access to the VIP exclusive Centurion section of American Express Centurion Lounges, where relevant.
I admit this is not a Priority Pass lounge, but so many people have Priority Passes with their Amex Card, I felt this excellent lounge deserved inclusion.
3. Primeclass Lounge, JFK Terminal 1
If you are flying out of Terminal 1, the best airport lounge to pick is the Primeclass Lounge at the end of the main pier, located between Gates 10 and 11. This lounge can be accessed by Priority Pass, Lounge Key, Diners Club, Dragon Pass, Lounge Pass, Lounge Club and Lounge Me, travelers.
This Priority pass lounge is one of the best because of its stylish decor in creams and pines and decent food which includes three hot dishes (pasta, chicken, and rice), bread, soup, cut fruit, and salads.
The lounge is 5,120 ft² and has a bar area on one side and a buffet on the opposite side with floor to ceiling windows at the end. The seats at the end look out towards the planes but as this lounge is downstairs rather than upstairs, you tend to look out on plane engines rather than looking down at planes taking off. Still, it’s nice to have a view of the planes be it looking up at them or down on them!
Everyone gets 2 drinks vouchers as they go in the lounge which can be used for a limited selection of alcoholic drinks and cocktails. Or you can pay extra and have whatever you like. There are unlimited soft drinks which are mainly set up in fridges with glass doors and a decent coffee machine is provided too. There are plenty of canned drinks to choose from if you want something cold.
4. Air France Lounge, JFK Terminal 1
The second best lounge in Terminal 1 is the Air France Lounge which can also be accessed with your Priority Pass. This lounge is big with two levels and double-height ceilings and a glass wall to one end. This means the views are fairly fabulous out to the planes even though the interior of the lounge feels a little brown and dated,
There is a cold buffet in this lounge that offers up a huge array of fresh bread, plus sandwiches, salads, and cold cuts. You can help yourself to beer, wine, and soft drinks all for free.
While this lounge is very pleasant, there is nothing noteworthy about it except for the free Clarins spa treatments for all guests except Priority Pass guests who get to use the lounge but don’t get free treatments. Priority Pass members can, however, use the showers in this lounge. Overall, I prefer the modern feel of the Primeclass Lounge in JFK Terminal 1, over this Air France lounge but the Air France lounge does win for Tarmac views,
5. Wingtips Lounge, JFK Terminal 4
Wingtips Lounge, JFK is currently the best Priority Pass lounge in Terminal 4, but it is worth mentioning that when the American Express Centurion lounge opens, the Amex lounge will be the far better choice if you have the right card to access it. If not, this lounge is, adequate often busy, with windows on one side and hot food (mashed potatoes, carrots, and barbecue chicken).
There are also help-yourself basic beer, wine, and spirits for free in this lounge but it’s not a great lounge as it can get so busy.
6. Air India Maharaja Lounge, JFK Terminal 4
This Priority Pass lounge is your other fairly average lounge in JFK Terminal 4, but if you like Indian food, this is one to consider. It can be found near gate 8 and offers samosas and chicken curry with a small cold buffet and help-yourself basic beer, wine, and spirits for free. Again, go for the Centurion lounge if you are able over this lounge.
7. KAL Business Class Lounge, JFK Terminal 1
Last in our list is the KAL Business Class Lounge, JFK Terminal 1. This lounge is near gate 3 but it is not a great lounge with snacks rather than decent volumes of food and it also has the basic alcohol and soft drinks, as you would expect. If you fly out of Terminal 1 and have a Priority Pass, choose the Primeclass Lounge which is a far better lounge.
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