Arriving from a redeye, I had the whole day ahead of me in New York prior to my Qatar Airways QSuite flight to Doha. It was a perfect day for productivity inside AA’s Flagship Lounge at JFK.
A note on access. I did not have my boarding pass for flight (in 15 hours) because my destination was Vietnam, which requires a visa for U.S. Citizens. Even without the boarding pass, however, I was granted access my presenting my itinerary to the agent. I’m not sure if this was an exception or the norm, but was thankful to be granted access right away. The JFK Terminal 8 lounge is open daily from 4:15a to 1:00a.
AA Flagship Lounge JFK Showers
My first stop, after a delayed redeye from Los Angeles, was a shower. At 7am, every shower suite was available. There was no attendant: it seemed to be self-service, with towels already present inside.
The lounge also has large men’s restroom:
AA Flagship Lounge JFK Seating
The lounge comfortably seats at least 200, with several distinct seating areas. I found a comfortable “breakfast nook” designed for solo travelers and spent most of the day there (last picture in this section).
AA Flagship Lounge JFK Breakfast
I enjoyed a hearty breakfast after my shower. Fresh berries, a delicious (and no doubt unhealthy) quiche with jalapeño peppers and chorizo, a yogurt parfait, and a decent cappuccino.
The buffet selection was actually quite impressive, with a large selection of hot and cold items.
AA Flagship Lounge JFK Lunch + Dinner
I didn’t have another meal in the lounge, but when the buffet transitioned to lunch at 11am, I took a look. There were several new hot items and several salads. Also available: cheese, soup, fruits, and sweets.
Probably the best thing I had at the buffet, however, was the spiced almonds and parmesan cheese bread. This was a delicious afternoon treat.
AA Flagship Lounge JFK Drinks + Champagne Bar
Like LAX, all alcohol is self-service, with a selection of red and white wines as well as Tattinger Champagne.
Soft drinks (Coke Freestyle machines), bottled water, juices, coffees, and tea are also available.
In the morning, a Bloody Mary bar is also available.
AA Flagship Lounge JFK Access Rules
The JFK Flagship Lounge is accessible to travelers:
- Traveling in AA intercontinental business or first class
- Traveling to Los Angeles LAX or San Francisco SFO in first class
- AA Concierge Key
- oneworld Saphire and Emerald members traveling on any oneworld flight in any cabin of service
- oneworld passengers traveling in business class on an intercontinental flight
CONCLUSION
Tomorrow I will provide a review of the AA Flagship Bridge, a separate area of the lounge with a la carte dining and calm in an otherwise crowded lounge. Actually, the JFK Lounge never became uncomfortably crowded, though it filled up around 4pm and remained crowded for the last four hours of my stay. It’s a tremendous lounge for the USA.
> Read More: AA Flagship Lounge Los Angeles (LAX) Review
I’m pretty sure you can access the lounge if flying business class on AA or oneworld carriers as well
Non-AA oneworld Emerald members traveling on any oneworld flight in any cabin of service
Oneworld Sapphire is also granted access to AA Flagship loungses
Although the lounge is very large and there is plenty of seating, it felt very chaotic. I was there at dinner time and the buffet was not maintained. They ran out of plates. Also, the options were not as good as ORD. That breakfast spread looks really good though. Overall, this lounge is a huge step up from the previous lounge, but I think the ORD lounge is better.
Why did you go to JFK from lax? When was this trip? S start is v this about boarding pass and evisa? Were you in the lounge for 15 hours?
Yes, this was last month. I took a redeye to JFK because I needed the entire day to work/be connected before my QSuite flight without internet. Could not risk AA WiFi not working traveling in the middle of the day.
You spent the entire day in the lounge? I would probably go crazy doing that! Longest I’ve ever done in one lounge was 9 hours in the FCT at FRA, but that included a 4 hour nap and an hour long bath so it wasn’t too bad!
I did. Needed the entire day to work and I find lounges are extremely productive work environments. Wish LAX was a little closer.
Do you still get access on arrival? I’m flying SFO-JFK on the red-eye, was hoping to grab a quick breakfast at the lounge on arrival before work.
You mentioned arriving on the red-eye but using your next flight to get lounge access.
Correct. I would not have had access on arrival without the onward connection.
Interesting to see they have downgraded from Bollinger =} Tattinger. Still, Tattinger is a solid champagne for a lounge and used to be served onboard in BA Club World before they downgraded to Castelnau (Castel-NO), although they do have Henriot which is slighty better.
Thanks for this, Matthew. Checking to see – the AA Flagship Lounge at JFK is NOT day pass eligible, right? The only AA JFK day pass eligible lounge is the Admirals Club? It’s hard to find that information the AA website. Thanks!
Hi April, correct: unfortunately the Flagship Lounge is not day pass eligible.
is there a specific area you would recommend for a party of two to relax in the morning? when it shouldn’t be too busy, we would be arriving around 530am…
Thank you
Honestly, the lounge will be empty around that time. Since the Flagship Bridge will be closed, I would recommend that you use the quiet seating area on the other side of the bar.
also, do you know if we eat at the flagship restaurant, do we have to pay for that, or its complimentary as well?
thank you
Free, including tip.
Used to love these lounges. Unfortunately they opened them up to all business class pax (before they were only accesible to first class and emerald (and concierge key, of course), so they are now PACKED and not that enjoyable. Kids everywhere, crying, people hoarding food, etc.
Bottom line, if you are an occasional business class traveler, this is a very good option. If you are a loyal frequent flyer (like me) this was a demotion, as this place feels less special and quiet. The dinning space continues being exclusive to paying first class PAX, so no matter your status you won’t be allowed there. So what’s the point now of flying so much with AA in business class? Might as well spread the love and qualify also in other airlines. Sad really, as I really liked this lounge when it was a bit more exclusive.
@Octavio, your self centered ideology is contradicting yourself. On one hand, you say it’s a demotion because more passengers can now access. On the other hand, where they still keep exclusivity in First Class dining, you still find a way to have some beef.
I have a 10 pm flight on Qatar and I was wondering how many hours before the flight I can enter the lounge?