Delta Air Lines this week launched the very first Delta One Lounge in JFK, exclusively for passengers travelling on Delta One, Delta 360 members travelling in First and key partners like Air France, KLM, Virgin Atlantic, Korean and LATAM.
The lounge which is larger than any Delta Sky Club around the globe will be a welcome addition to the often-crowded Club already in T4, helping spread the passengers across some of the best lounges in JFK including Virgin Atlantic’s Clubhouse.
Located between Concourses A and B in Terminal 4, adjacent to the main security checkpoint, the sweeping 39,000-plus-square-foot Delta One Lounge offers a variety of experiences and amenities for the premium traveller, from fine dining to spa-like wellness treatments to valet services and a host of other perks.
“Our teams have spared no detail to ensure Delta One Lounge guests receive a truly memorable experience,” said Claude Roussel, Vice President – Delta Sky Clubs and Lounge Experience. “It’s a new era for Delta – this Lounge is raising the bar across the board, from the amenities to the food and beverage offerings to the level of personalized service. We want our guests to feel the difference here; moreover, we want them to feel welcomed and valued from the moment they step through the door.”
In the standard trend for new global lounge design (bar Cathay) the lounge nods to the local, with multiple design references riffing-off Manhatten cues. The premium bar, serving elevated takes on classic cocktails, features a standout Art Deco-inspired lighting fixture; the Bar Lounge ceiling and fluted glass nod to the gold leaf ceiling and chandeliers of Radio City Music Hall.
There are swathes more design touches which is something I’ve always applauded Delta for with their recent SkyClubs. The white-marble counter Market and Bakery are inspired by retro delicatessen food counters while the fan-shaped marble mosaic tiles in the Market dining area pay tribute to famed New York brasseries. The penny-round ceiling over the food counter is a hat-tip to the original JFK terminal, designed by famed architect Eero Saarinen.
What I like is that the lounge also references the design flair from its network of global destinations as well. The Lounge gallery features artists from Europe, South Africa, India, Japan, Cuba and more.
The biggest elevation for Delta One guests can be seen at the lounge’s 140-seat Brasserie restaurant delivering a three-course meal service. Restaurant Associates and Union Square Events (a Danny Meyer concept) have collaborated to elevate the culinary experience in the Delta One Lounge, with dishes such as Hamachi crudo, steak tartare and lasagna Bolognese. This is supported by the self-serve Market and Bakery, featuring seasonal culinary offerings plated for walk-up service.
Like Air France, there’s also a beverage cart which means those feeling particularly lazy don’t even need to leave their seat. If you’re feeling even lazier, there’s a designated wellness area, equipped with nine reservable relaxation pods with full-body massage chairs and nap chairs, treatments from Grown-Alchemist certified therapists, and more.
Also like Air France’s more recent CDG lounges, Delta’s Serenity Lounge provides a quiet, tranquil space designed for pre-flight peace of mind. Specialty lamp lighting in the Serenity Lounge mimics the light colours affecting the body’s circadian rhythms, helping your body get acclimated to the time zone to which you will be flying. You can also drink to your health at the Rejuvenation Bar, featuring refreshing, non-alcoholic beverages and fruit and herb-infused waters and juices.
There’s also much needed shower suites, and just like Virgin Atlantic, these well-appointed showers feature fluffy towels, bathrobes and slippers, Grown Alchemist products, and if your clothes and shoes need a glow-up, a valet attendant will steam and/or shine them and return them while you shower.
And the crowning jewel of any Delta Lounge? There’s also the Terrace, replete with regional, seasonally updated plants. This lush outdoor oasis with a retractable roof is designed to stimulate the senses 365 days out of the year.
While the JFK Delta One Lounge is the first of its kind, others will be joining soon: Delta One Lounges at LAX and Boston Logan International will open later this year, expanding the end-to-end premium experience to more customers in more hubs.
TheDesignAir 