Inside JFK’s New NYC-Themed Delta Sky Club Lounge
Inside the New Delta Sky Club Lounge at JFK
The new 14,000 square-foot Delta Sky Lounge opened in the summer of 2023, and is designed to be a reflection of New York City.
Over the years, the Delta Sky Lounge at JFK Airport in New York City gained a reputation for being overly-crowded. Many times, travelers would arrive at peak hours to find a long line to get inside, and then no place to sit once you entered.
Delta is now scaling back on lounge privileges for passengers, but is also opening up new lounges in places like JFK and Minneapolis (a hub city).
The new Delta Lounge in JFK’s Terminal 4 is a beautiful new space to enjoy some time before your flight. It’s actually divided up into several areas, so it doesn’t feel like a cafeteria. Plus, they added the bonus of having an outdoor patio, similar to the patio in Salt Lake City.
Where is the New Delta Lounge at JFK?
The traditional Delta Sky Club Lounge in Terminal 4 at JFK is conveniently located in the middle of the gates. The entrance is between Gates B30 and B32.
The new Delta Lounge is on the opposite side of Terminal 4 at the end of the A gates. It’s right after Gate A8.
The entrance is at the very end of the terminal, so it’s fairly quiet.
You’ll find the usual Delta Sky Club staff and boarding pass scanners through the sliding doors, before heading up the escalators into the lounge.
At the top of the escalators, you’ll find a smaller circular sitting area, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows.
What’s New in JFK’s Delta Sky Club Lounge?
The 14,000 square-foot space doesn’t feel crowded, or overly-filled with furniture and tables. There’s seating for 250 people.
The design differs, compared to the more open concept you’ll find at Seattle’s bright two-story Sky Club. At the new lounge in JFK, the space is broken up into different rooms and sections, most of which are connected to a massive round bar at the center.
The design incorporates several nods to classic New York. I love the chevron pattern in the beautiful wood floors. This is the hallway outside the bathrooms and business center.
You’ll also notice several art-deco design elements in the shapes and tiles.
The main food bar is a lengthy display, on the far end of the circular bar.
Business Center & Quiet Spaces in the Lounge
I didn’t spot a napping area in the new lounge, but there’s a quieter business area down near the bathrooms.
There’s also a line of privacy booths to use for business calls.
I always feel a little silly in these things, since they kind of feel like display cases, but they can come in handy for a phone call or Zoom meeting!
The Delta Lounge’s “Sky Deck” Patio
Delta has a few outdoor patios in the airline’s lounges, and the new one at JFK is a welcome addition!
It’s surrounded by glass, overlooking the runway on one side, and one of the air traffic control towers on the other side.
You’ll find plenty of seating against the windows, and a bar-style area where you can plug in to work.
The Sky Lounge patio isn’t entirely walled-off to the outside elements. The glass panels are separated by a couple of inches of open air. It’s bound to be chilly in the winter, but I imagine they’ll light the fireplace to keep people warm.
There’s still no smoking or vaping allowed in this semi-outdoor space.
Food in the New Delta Lounge at JFK
You’ll find food options in a few locations in the new JFK lounge.
The main selection will be out on a lengthy bar.
The food itself is standard fare for the Delta Sky Clubs. It’s a selection of eggs, sausages, waffles, and other options in the morning.
They have a variety of juices to choose from. Plus, there’s a fairly elaborate oatmeal bar.
The bar is a centerpiece of the new Delta Sky Lounge at JFK.
In addition to the complimentary drinks, they seem to be offering specialty upgrades for $6. I just enjoy a regular Bloody Mary, but I suppose it’s nice to have options. There’s seating around the entire bar.
The standard Starbucks coffee machine is in place.
I love this addition: two coffee spouts for just regular coffee! On cold days, when I’m planning to nap on a flight, I love drinking a decaf coffee to warm up. Kind of strange, but I do really appreciate this part of the coffee and beverage area!
I would love something like this in my office!
It also seems that Delta will be incorporating some local flavor into the new lounge. It’s part of the “Local Flavor Program.” They serve Ivars Clam Chowder in Seattle. At JFK, they had a few local New York options from Edith’s, which is a restaurant and sandwich shop in Brooklyn. They included cookies and vegan tahini iced coffee, which is very trendy these days in the city.
Bathrooms in the New Delta Lounge
I didn’t want to look like a creep, so I don’t have many photos of the bathroom area.
They’re very nicely done, with nice, high ceilings. You can opt to shower here or at the other Sky Lounge in the B-Gates.
Who Can Use the Delta Sky Club at JFK?
The rules changed in 2023, and are likely to change again, so it’s best to consult Delta’s own confusing Sky Club access website.
Guest policies, airfare class policies, and credit card policies seem to be in flux, as Delta tries to find the right balance.
One new policy, which prevented Sky Club access after arriving in your destination city, was quickly reversed. Delta passengers can once again grab breakfast, after say, a red eye from Los Angeles to JFK, before leaving the airport.
Access to the Delta Sky Lounge at JFK Airport is typically granted to:
- Delta One passengers: Passengers traveling in Delta One (international business class) on a Delta-operated flight.
- SkyTeam Elite Plus members: Elite Plus members of the SkyTeam alliance (such as Delta Diamond, Platinum, and Gold Medallion members) traveling on a SkyTeam-operated flight.
- Delta Sky Club members: Individuals who hold a membership to the Delta Sky Club program.
- Delta Reserve Credit Card holders: Cardholders of the Delta Reserve Credit Card from American Express.
- Other Delta American Express cardholders: Certain other American Express cardholders might have limited access or the ability to purchase day passes.
However, it’s important to note that lounge access policies can change, and the availability of the lounge might also depend on factors like time of day, capacity constraints, and specific terms of membership
Other New Delta Sky Club Lounges
Delta has been working on opening or renovating several Sky Lounges since the pandemic lifted. Here are a few to check out in your travels:
Minneapolis-Saint Paul (MSP) Delta Lounge
- Location: G Concourse
- Opened: Spring 2023
- 21,000 square feet
- Delta’s third (and largest) Sky Club at MSP
- Seating for 450 passengers
- Sky Deck patio
- Other Sky Clubs: Concourse C (Gate 12) and Concourse F
Kansas City (MCI)
- Location: B Gates
- Opened: Spring 2022
- 11,000 square feet
- Seating for 200 passengers
- Two Sky Deck patios
- Art gallery featuring local artists
Chicago’s O’Hare (ORD
- Location: Terminal 5
- Seating for 400 passengers
- Unique wine bar (in addition to the regular bar)
- Privacy sound booths
- Art gallery featuring local artists
- The unique ability to board certain flights from bridges connected to the Delta Sky Club
Nashville (BNA)
- Location: Concourse B
- Opened: Summer of 2022
- 13,500 square feet
- Seating for 275 passengers (quadruple the capacity of the old lounge)
- Music City-themed decor
- LEGO portraits of Nashville icons, like Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash
Tokyo Haneda (HND)
- Location: Terminal 3 (5th floor)
- 9,000 square feet
- Made-to-order noodle bar
- Asian-inspired meals
- Panoramic views of the airfield and Mount Fuji
Wrap: Delta’s New JFK Lounge: A Review
It’s too soon to tell whether Delta’s new Sky Lounge at JFK will become over-crowded like several others. There are fewer gates on this side of Terminal 4, so the extra walk for passengers departing from the B Gates might keep the new lounge less-crowded.
It’s definitely an upgrade, with beautiful design elements, and a very nice central bar. I also love the way the new lounge is separated into rooms, to keep it from having any kind of a “cafeteria” feel.
Plus, it’s JFK, so the people watching can’t is always top-notch. You’re likely to see musicians, professional sports stars, and reality TV stars mixed into the crowd.
Personally, I’m fine arriving just before my flight and grabbing something from Dunkin. But with traffic around JFK, it’s too risky to cut things close. So I usually arrive way too early, and will happily end up spending time in the new Delta Sky Lounge.
