Unlike its more upscale facility in Terminal 1, the Primeclass Lounge in Terminal 4 at JFK was dungeon-like and crowded. I would avoid this lounge unless you get stuck at JFK…and you may find the lounge so crowded you cannot get in anyway.
Primeclass Lounge JFK Terminal 4 Review
This is a Priority Pass lounge and used by some of the non-aligned carriers that serve T4 for their business class passengers (also used by Singapore Airlines, which I will address below). It located near gate A2 (a long walk from the security checkpoint) and open daily from 4:00 am to 12:00 am. Other lounge memberships like Dragon Pass or Lounge Key will also get you in.
Singapore Airlines uses three lounges in Terminal 4, including:
- Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse – First Class/Suites guests
- Primeclass Lounge – Business class guests
- Air India Lounge – Star Alliance Gold members
I suppose the good news for Singapore passengers is after visiting this lounge you’re really going to appreciate the Singapore onboard product.
I arrived just before 2:00 pm and found the lounge quite crowded. There were a handful of open seats, as you can see below, but most were taken. I guess what I really did not like about this lounge was how dark and drab it feels. While the nearby Air India lounge is also not a lounge I would ever go out of my way to visit, at least it has some natural light. Even the Chelsea Lounge, which also lacks natural lights, at least attempts to create natural light through backlit windows. This lounge really does just seem like a dungeon.
Beyond the drabness of the lounge, there are limited power ports, which is so fundamental for a lounge. Many seats will not have a plug within reach.
The dining area near the food was empty when I arrived (perhaps there were no power ports) but filled up within 10 minutes…every single table.
In terms of food and drink, I found the following:
- Cup of noodles soup (you add the hot water)
- Oranges
- Apples
- Goldfish crackers
- Nature Valley granola bars
- Hershey’s chocolate
- Cookies
- Chocolate-covered peanuts
- Peanuts
- Trail mix
- Dried apricots
- Dried green beans
- Salads (potato, pasta, and couscous with black beans through all had lettuce)
- Sandwiches (ham and cheese, vegetarian, turkey and cheese, beef wrap)
Paper plates and plastic utensils were used.
Drink selections included:
- Coffee (Keurig)
- Tea
- Water
- Apple juice
- Canned sodas
- Beer (Amstel Light and Stella Artois)
- Cavitt white wine
This lounge has no restrooms.
By the time I left, the lounge was so crowded that a sign was placed on the door saying that no more Priority Pass guests could be accepted.
CONCLUSION
I was not impressed this lounge due to the crowding and lack of power ports. I’ll stipulate that a sandwich and salad here during a delay may beat the gate area, but I will also note that Terminal 4 is home to an American Express Centurion Lounge and Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, both of which offer a far superior lounge experience.
Reminds me of the swissport and BA galleries lounges in ORD, except larger. Dungeons are the best word to describe them!
Still better than most in HNL lol
If I recall correctly, this lounge is pitched as a “pop-up”, which would explain the relative lack of investment. Perhaps there is a longer term solution in the works for SQ? For example the old Wingtips space and/or possible closure of the conversion of the Virgin lounge to a new space when the Delta One/business lounge opens up?
Is that SWISS/WingTips space being used for anything right now? That’s the most beautiful lounge at JFK.
The former Swiss lounge area at T4 will be part of the new Delta One lounge, so the area is all boarded up and under construction now.
I hope Delta doesn’t mess up that beautiful woodwork!
Pop up lounge could still improve a couple areas – add a red and potentially a sparkling wine plus a handful of liquor bottles for mixed drinks, which seems to be the bare minimum most lounges will adhere to.
This lounge looks like a gate area with slightly better furniture.
If I were on a paid SQ J Fare, and was told to wait for my flight here, I would be angry.
SQ should really open a lounge in JFK
I flew SQ J out of T4 in May 2022 and went to the Virgin Clubhouse. Has this changed?
I’m surprised – my understating is that is only for Suites Class (of course you could use AMEX Plat or Cap One Venture X to enter as well).
In May 2022 travel had not fully recovered and so yes SQ was using the Virgin clubhouse. But with Virgin restoring a full LHR schedule and SQ with both a A350 and A380 evening flight the lounge could not cope. So SQ had to send J pax somewhere else. Earlier this year it was the Wingtips/ old Swiss who’s was okay but a step down. Primeclass sounds worse.
we have priority pass, but departing from terminal 5. do you know by any chance if they allow customers departing other terminals other than 4? i cant find this info anywhere. thank you.
You can access other terminals – I’ve done it many times. But it is not worthwhile for that pathetic lounge and the Virgin Clubhouse seems hit or miss.
Do you have it via Chase Sapphire? Bobby Van’s in T8 is worth the stop! Or the Turkish/Air France/Lufthansa combo in T1.
thanks for answering so fast!
yes, we have it through Chase Sapphire. I’ve seen Bobby Van’s in T8, but it’s pretty far from T5.
I also saw Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse on PRIORITY PASS website. I wonder if they allow folks who departure from different terminal.
Excelente lounge el servicio muy bueno , el personal excelente en recepción estuvo magnífica el servicio que me brindó la señorita Marlady desde mi llegada fue muy buena . Volvería en cada viaje sigan así .
Excellent lounge, very good service, the excellent staff at reception was magnificent, the service that Miss Marlady provided me from my arrival was very good. I would return on every trip, keep it up
Good evening, I am very happy that you have excellent staff. Miss Marlady served me and she was very kind. She treated me well. I hope you continue to have people like her. Thank you.
visited JFK’s room on April 1 at 0:45 and the attitude of the person who receives the memberships is arrogant, authoritarian, discriminatory, racist.
How unfortunate to see this lounge with staff who have these attitudes that make the user feel bad.
What did the lounge agent say that made you feel this way?
Very bad service, they are looting money by swiping the card to check the access and not refunding the money even when you are not accessing the lounge.
We had a very poor experience at Primeclass Lounge at JFK’s terminal 4. We had about 10 minutes before needing to leave to board a flight, so we needed a quick snack and coffee. I usually get a coffee at longes and grab a bagel. One of the employees started talking really loud about people wanting to take food out of the lounge. She started pointing at my daughter and talking loud for everyone to hear that people should eat there and not walk out with food.
It was pathetic considering she complained about a cup of soup my daughter picked up excitedly to have on her flight. She could have just kindly walked up to her and let her know we were not allowed to take any food outside. She made out short stay super uncomfortable and unpleasant as she was making loud remarks. My suggestion would be to put up a sign or teach employees to inform guests appropriately.
My sister and I spent a couple hours in the lounge and enjoyed the comfy seat, salads, snacks, sweets, and beverages. Antonio and Javed were superb. They were constantly cleaning (people left their stuff everywhere), very friendly, and replenished food & drinks, on a regular basis. Thank you