American Airlines is bringing its Provisions by Admirals Club concept to JFK, and while “grab-and-go lounge” may not sound especially exciting, this version actually has something American lounges have long needed: proper barista coffee.
American Airlines Adds First Lounge Barista Coffee With New JFK Provisions Space
American Airlines is opening a new Provisions by Admirals Club space at New York JFK, bringing its grab-and-go lounge concept to Terminal 8 with a couple upgrades that make this much more interesting than the Charlotte version.
The new space will be located in Terminal 8, Concourse B, between gates 12 and 14. It measures 3,700 square feet and is designed for travelers who want something quicker than a traditional lounge visit but still better than wandering into the terminal to buy a bad sandwich and a $6 bottle of water.
As American explains, the JFK Provisions space will offer prepared grab-and-go food, hot and cold selections, bottled and canned drinks, and one-on-one assistance from an American representative.
But the most interesting part is the coffee.
American Finally Adds A Barista Bar!
For the first time in an American Airlines lounge, this new JFK Provisions space will feature a dedicated barista bar with Lavazza-crafted hot and cold beverages prepared to order.
Good.
This is one of those little things that should have happened years ago, especially when introduced by Delta and United in their most premium lounges. We do not need every lounge to become an Italian café, but if an airline wants to talk about premium experiences, decent coffee should not be an afterthought. Too many U.S. lounges fail to capitalize on what a treat coffee is.
A barista bar also makes particular sense in a grab-and-go concept. If you only have 15 minutes before boarding, a good cappuccino or cold coffee drink may be the most useful thing of all. Not everyone wants to settle into a lounge for an hour. Sometimes you just want a quick coffee and snack before heading to the gate.
Why JFK?
JFK is an interesting place for this.
On the one hand, JFK is not exactly the most obvious airport for a grab-and-go lounge concept. American’s JFK operation is much more premium and international than short-hop domestic, and many eligible passengers already have access to the excellent joint premium lounges in Terminal 8 (though none of them, even the first class lounge, has true barista coffee).
On the other hand, the location matters. Concourse B has the Greenwich, Soho, and Chelsea lounges above gates 12 and 14, but not a standard Admirals Club. The Admirals Club is over in Concourse C, which is not exactly where you want to be if your flight is leaving from Concourse B and you do not have much time.
So this fills a gap, giving Admirals Club members and eligible travelers a quick option closer to many gates.
CONCLUSION
American Airlines is bringing Provisions by Admirals Club to JFK Terminal 8, with a 3,700-square-foot grab-and-go lounge space in Concourse B between gates 12 and 14. The concept is built around speed and convenience, but the addition of American’s first dedicated lounge barista bar makes this more than just another snack counter with a lounge logo.
I still prefer a proper lounge when I have time (and AA has done a great job with food lately). But for a quick stop before boarding, especially in a terminal where the nearest Admirals Club may require a walk, this makes sense.
And if American is finally serious about better coffee in lounges, that alone is worth applauding. Now we need to hope this spreads to more AA lounges.
image: American Airlines
The more the merrier! The existing AC on the other side (after the underground walkway) is painfully far if you’re in the first concourse and don’t have access to Greenwich, Soho or Chelsea lounges. That said, the AC itself really needs better food options.
I always feel like a loser when I’m on a domestic flight out of JFK and I have to go to the sad AC. This is a nice addition. I sure do wish they would replicate this in CLT because as it stands, the “Provisions” there is little more than a novelty to go look at one time. Sodas with no ice, drip coffee, gas station sandwiches, bananas, and apples. Barista coffee would at least be something worth serving.
For coffee and travel lovers who are tired of machine-made coffee and are flying with AA, this is the perfect spot at JFK. Enjoy!
* Revised Comment *
For coffee and travel lovers who are tired of machine-made coffee, it is the perfect spot at JFK. Enjoy!
Better late than never… Instead of battling the crowds and searching for a seat in the traditional large lounges at the always bustling JFK, this is truly a perfect alternative for those who want to quickly grab a quality food/drink before boarding their flight.
Good lord Matthew. What is wrong with the onboard instant coffee?
Is this a joke?