I’m live-blogging my SAS EuroBonus SkyTeam Million Mile challenge this week. Click here for background and route information.
We visited both Delta Sky Clubs in JFK Terminal 4 and while both were fine, one was far better than the other…and far less crowded.
The new Delta SkyClub near Gate A8 is beautifully done with a bar and dining area in the center and then seating around it.
There’s a nice terrace in this lounge, although glass floor-to-ceiling windows mean no fresh air (though I guess it would be the smell of fresh jet fumes…). It was empty, so we sat there.
Although the lounge had plenty of travelers, there was no trouble finding a seat anywhere.
Augustine prefers buffets to a la carte and was excited to see a nice evening spread that included soups, salads, sandwiches, and hot dishes. He had a bowl of chicken noodle soup.
While there are no showers in this lounge, there were clean restroom facilities.
We then moved on to the B31 Lounge, just so we could compare it…and my what a difference. Delta’s older lounge in JFK Terminal 4 was nice enough, but clearly more dated than the A8 and a whole lot more crowded.
While there was no line to get in (so I guess I was fortunate…), it just felt crowded. The buffet had the same food items as the other lounge and I did not notice anything unique about this lounge except for the shower facilities.
The two lounges are over 10 minutes apart by foot, so I understand that you may want to target the Delta SkyClub closest to your departure gate, but I found the A8 lounge far superior to the A32 lounge in virtually every way.
From a quiet terrace all to myself:
To this…
The old Sky Club is crowded because it’s closer to most of the gates that Delta uses. The new one is at the far, far end of the terminal, if I recall correctly. So it just doesn’t get the random foot traffic from people who say, “Hey, let’s spend 25 minutes in the lounge and have a drink or two.” The old Sky Club was one of the nicest in the system when it debuted like 8 or 10 years ago but the layout has always been weird. It really needs two bars and two buffets. The one bar and the one buffet are far too small for the number of customers who frequent this lounge. Especially before the Delta One lounge opened. This lounge was a zoo between 4 and 9 pm with all the transatlantic flights.
Another feature at the old Sky Club at JFK that would help is a grab-and-go at the lower level entrance. Delta was supposed to roll this out but so far it’s just Atlanta and even then it isn’t the same quality food as upstairs in the lounge. A small grab-and-go would keep a lot of people out of the lounge as they would grab something and keep walking another 10 minutes to the gates used for Delta Connection regional flights.
I find the same issue with the new Delta lounge at MSP. It is a fantastic lounge but the location is not ideal. If you ever been to MSP, the new Delta lounge could not be more far away from everything. It is located at G18 which is a very very long walk from the security areas that places you in the main area of the terminal and basically in front of the old Delta lounge. Now, one would say the new Delta lounge (which has much better food, showers, lots of seating area and an outdoor area) would be best used for passengers flying internationally but most of Delta international flights leave from gates G1 to G5. So, having their best lounge at G18 means a long walk to an international gate. It may sound not that far when you see G1 to G18 but we are talking depending on your pace a good 15 minutes walk. Not ideal.
The lounge setup at MSP is awful. Compare it to Detroit, which has FIVE Sky Club lounges. Until recently, MSP only had two.
The original Delta SkyClub in the B concourse is a broadly unpleasant experience. It is crowded. Food is mediocre. The layout is awkward and none of it is “premium” or “Distinctively Delta”, or whatever hubris is now being spun out of Atlanta.
A few points (including support for the B gate SkyClub)
1) The difference between the A and B clubs is closer to 15 minutes, so you should definitely plan to visit the club closer to your gate
2) The JFK B Club has the old school, open air terrace. Although it is often closed, when it is open, I prefer it to the newer style closed “terraces” Delta has introduced at many clubs (JFK A Gates, new LGA, MSP to an extent, etc)
3) I have found the breakfast at JFK B has generally been better. Plus, they have champagne cart, the Nathans hot dog cart, etc.
4) I know you prioritized the Virgin Club, but my JFK routine has always been to use the Amex Centurion Lounge (right next to security) as my first stop at JFK, then using the Delta SkyClub closest to my gate (generally B, but sometimes A). Centurion Lounge can offer a good change up. I guess you can also use the adjacent Chase Sapphire Lounge as well.
It’s not champagne. Veuve du Vernay is Delta’s free sparkling wine in the Sky Clubs, including JFK. It is a charmat method sparkling wine from France. It is not champagne or even made from the traditional or champagne method. The grapes are a blend of grapes from assorted wine regions across all of France; probably the cheapest, leftover grapes blended together. That’s why they can’t label where it comes from besides saying France.
The new Delta One lounge is the way to go. Least crowded and much better food and bar. I don’t mind the B club but the Delta One club is like the Virgin Clubhouse at Heathrow.
I am able to enter the Delta 1 lounge at JFK if I am flying comfort class and have a Amex Platinum card Thanks for any replies, KEM
Nope.