Ahead of a recent United Airlines flight, I had a chance to check out the recently re-opened Alaska Airlines lounge in Terminal 7 of New York JFK. While my stay started poorly, it ended up being positive overall.
Alaska Airlines Lounge New York (JFK) Review
Access + Location + Hours
This lounge is available to the following passengers:
- Alaska Airlines First Class Travelers (paid or award tickets only, not upgrades booked in “U” class)
- United Airlines business class passengers traveling from JFK-LAX/SFO
- Priority Pass members
- Emerald and Sapphire oneworld members when traveling to Mexico City, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia or Australia
If traveling on United, you simply scan your boarding pass and a lounge attendant will then input your flight info into the system.
This lounges closes in the middle of the day; its hours are from 5:00AM – 9:00AM then from 2:30PM – 9:00PM.
Once you clear security in Terminal 7, head up the escalator, turn left, and you’ll find another escalator next to the duty free shop that will take you up to the Alaska Lounge. The British Airways lounge is right next door.
Seating
With so many ways to gain access, I suppose it is not surprising how crowded the lounge was. When I arrived around 3:45pm, the lounge was packed.
After walking down a long hallway from the entrance to the lounge itself, I could not initially find a spot. Within a few minutes, though, a nice table opened and I parked myself there.
The lounge includes large semi-enclosed chairs, tables, couches, and long counters that can double as desks. The furniture is quite modern and currently in style, though I’m not sure how well it will age. There’s even a cool fireplace.
20 minutes later, however, the lounge has largely emptied out. A United flight had departed for San Francisco and a pair of Alaska flights to the West Coast, freeing up a lot of space and allowing for better pictures:
Coffee
My favorite part of the Alaska Airlines lounge experience is the barista-made coffee. I was ready for coffee when I arrived, but when I approached a lounge staff member to ask about getting a coffee, the exchange went like this:
ME: Would it be possible to order to a cappuccino?
AGENT: You can make one yourself right over there (pointing to the automatic machine)
ME: I prefer the other machine.
AGENT: We aint got enough people here.
ME: Ok then, thank you.
AGENT: It’s the same coffee.
ME: It may be the same beans, but the machine matters.
AGENT: That’s what people say.
ME: (nodding)
However, about 15 minutes later a barista appeared…and a line quickly formed before I could even get up from my seat.
I waited my turn, though, and it was worthwhile. Even though I’m not a fan of Starbucks coffee generally, the latte (with an extra shot of espresso) turned out very nicely.
In fact, it was so tasty I went back and ordered an espresso macchiato, which was also great.
The ability to enjoy a nice coffee is a big deal to me and would play into my decision to fly Alaska more.
Food + Drink
In addition to coffee, there was a well-stocked buffet with soup, salad, bruschetta, cheese, and cookies.
There was also a beverage station with self-serve soft drinks and a fully-stocked bar with limited free items as well as liquor and cocktails avialble for purchase.
Furthermore, Alaska Airlines lounges offer food available for purchase, like pizza and chicken tenders.
Restrooms
Gender neutral private bathroom suites are available, featuring Antica Farmacista soap and lotion.
No Tipping
Finally, I must applaud this lounge (and all Alaska Airlines lounges) for having a no tipping policy. Bravo!
CONCLUSION
When I walked into the crowded lounge and was denied coffee, I was ready to just turn around and walk out. I’m thankful I stayed a bit longer to see it empty out and enjoy some decent coffee. This is a respectable lounge with nice snack items and comfortable seating. I look forward to returning.
Hi Matthew- interesting review. I had a question for you on an unrelated note. I will flying thru Newark on United Polaris, and I was wondering if you knew when the Polaris lounge in Newark would open? Thanks!
The official re-opening date has not been announced, but I’m hearing early November.
Thanks for the info
I think part of the reason why that lounge generally isn’t crowded is that they severely limit hours for priority pass members. Not sure if that’s the current policy but it has been in the past
I was put on a Priority Pass waiting list for this lounge in August prior to the UA LAX flight. I wandered around for 20 minutes before they paged me.
“We aint got enough people here.” – so very premium.
Looks pretty good to me, although charging for spirits does come across as a bit stingy. Out of curiosity, do AS have a lot of flights from JFK, and would you get access as a non-UA *G flying in Y on the United flights?
No Star Gold access. Access is only given to business class passengers.
Fond memories of that view when it was an RCC. Nice to see the improvements AS made.
Probably won’t have a chance to fly ex-JFK ahead of the (seemingly inevitable) UA pull-out again.
Kirby told TPG this week that JFK is here to stay and that the 763s will be returning as soon as demand warrants. I hope he’s right…
You did miss the most interesting feature in the lounge and that is T 7 Demon inthe center below the bar in the is a face in the stone. Check it out next time
Yes and he is smiling
Thanks for the review and I look forward to checking it out later this year. If Alaska lounges are consistent with policy, one of their best benefits may have been omitted from your piece. Every AS lounge I’ve been to serves free premium local beer. Whether Sea, or Anc, Pdx, or Lax, I always enjoy trying a local gem or 3 on the house. Also, every AS lounge I’ve visited serves free rail pours, whether a bloody mary, mimosa, glass of wine, or gin and tonic. Not that I want to encourage more intoxicated flyers, but this a benefit that I do not see at many other brands lounges, aside from super premium “Flagship” and such. Cheers!
There is irony in the fact that the Alaska Lounge occupies the space that once was the United Red Carpet Club before Jeff Smisek’s foolish decision to withdraw from JFK. A decision that Kirby and UA regret.
Alaska has flights departing to every one of their West Coast destinations (SAN LAX SFO PDX SEA) in a short timespan in the late afternoon and early evening, a time that overlaps with UA departures to LAX and SFO, so the lounge is destined to be crowded until half those flights have boarded. So far AS has been allowing Priority Pass guests but perhaps that will start to be restricted.
The design and views of the lounge are great. The craft beer selection is solid (and complimentary) and snacks are solid for a U.S. domestic lounge. I have found the staff to be less friendly and service-oriented than is typical of Alaska on the West Coast. Perhaps that’s the NY attitude. Perhaps it’s that they get stressed when the lounge gets crowded. It would be great if they can work to address this, maybe by rotating in some West Coast staff or leadership.
Glad that this lounge exists and that it is back open! Especially given variability in getting to JFK whether by car or transit.
PS: It’s way better at JFK than Alaska’s deplorable situation at EWR Terminal A. And also better than the overcrowded United Club at EWR Terminal C.
A far cry vs August when the place was deserted. I was on the way to London, and enjoyed the renovated BA Galleries lounge next door. After reading your review, I should have used my OW status to try the Alaskan lounge.
Nice review of what was the former UAL Red Carpet Club.
Glad the managements of AS and UAL were able to work an agreement with AS for use of the Alaska Board Room by UAL’s pax. Considering that AS Lounge members can use UAL Red Carpet Clubs at DCA, ORD, PHX and when it opens in PHX.
From my knowledge, the “no tipping” policy centers around that the employees serving you at the entrance, service desk, bar and coffee station are Alaska Airlines employees, supplemented by contractors who take care of the food service portion and clean the tables, dishes, etc.
You didn’t mention the world-famous Alaska pancake machine. Did you partake?
Yes, back in the day when I flew many UAL LAX-JFK trans-cons on their storied 767-222’s in first – with caviar to boot. From my perspective, a much better period of time to have flown…the memories.
With the withdrawal by AS on the LAX-JFK route, and practically withdrawn on the SFO-JFK route, this gives AS more utilization and revenue for their JFK lounge space.
SO_CAL_RETAIL_SLUT
Interesting to hear about your interaction with the barista, because the same thing happened to me in the Anchorage lounge. Instructed to use the self-serve machine even though a barista and proper espresso machine were available. And it was most definitely not overcrowded. I wonder if AS instructs their staff to do this for whatever reason.
Did you push back? Next time I’m pushing back.
I was there two weeks ago on a Saturday, around 17.00. Yes, it was crowded but I found a seat without difficulty. The tables were dirty and nobody was cleaning them. The buffet had been ravaged by the crowd and there were no replacements evident while I was there. I didn’t hate the place but it was not a nice experience. Next time I’m in Terminal 7 I’ll just sit in the gate lounge. It’s much less crowded and much more peaceful. I can have a glass of wine on the plane.
No showers unfortunately. Great food. Try pancakes with chese on top for savory snack
Mesnt No showers unfortunately. Recently had long layover from Lufthansa.
Can inbound United business passengers from SFO/LAX redeye flights use this pre-security lounge? Otherwise looks like have to trek to Lufthansa T1 or Air India T4 lounges in a different terminal.