Premium class passengers departing New York’s John F. Kennedy airport with British Airways and American Airlines have three gorgeous new departure lounges to enjoy from today!
British Airways’ last flight departed Terminal 7 yesterday. The airline has now co-located with American Airlines in Terminal 8’s luxurious and spacious new redevelopment containing the lavish new Chelsea, Soho and Greenwich Lounges from today.
The sophisticated Chelsea Lounge will be the most exclusive of the new lounges – open to BA First Class and Gold Guest List, AA Flagship First, Flagship Business Plus and Concierge Key passengers – with seating for around 130 guests.
A stunning signature Champagne Bar serves seventeen different Champagnes, including Krug Grande Cuvee, and the swish dining room provides a mixture of British and American à la carte cuisine. Seating options include reclining seats, leather couches and wrap-around armchairs, while a lounge centrepiece features a fireplace suspended from the ceiling. There are ample power and USB port facilities and several semi-enclosed workstations. Three marble-clad shower suites with luxury amenities and separate washroom facilities will be available on a first-come-first-served basis. It is worth noting that there is no natural light in the Chelsea Lounge.
The Soho lounge sharing the same welcome area as the Chelsea Lounge, is open to BA Executive Club Gold, AAdvantage Executive Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum Pro, Concierge Key, and oneworld Emerald customers – with seating for around 280 guests.
The stylish lounge offers natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows, extensive views of the apron and gate action, and plenty of comfortable seating options. The cocktail bar area provides high-top bar seating, long padded benches and table seating. While the main lounge houses the buffet dining room serving hot and cold light bites. Customers can also order a QR code à la carte service. The lounge offers a long self-serve wine station and other comfortable seating areas, five private workstations with views of the tarmac and a quiet library area towards the back of the room. There are four shower suites and washrooms facilities similar to the Chelsea Lounge.
The Greenwich Lounge is a rebranding of the previous Flagship Lounge, with seating for more than 590 guests, and is open to oneworld Business Class and Club World customers, Executive Club Silver and oneworld Sapphire members.
Though this lounge is not a new build, it will also encompass the decommissioned Flagship First Dining facility and Concourse B Admirals Club. The lounge will offer a stylish gin and cocktail bar, a premium wine table, and chef-inspired meals from the self-serve buffet station. There will be expansive seating and views of the tarmac.
Other improvements at Terminal 8 include five wide-body gates, four new hardstand parking locations, and an upgraded baggage handling system.
Read the BusinessClass.com review of British Airways Business Class
Read the BusinessClass.com review of British Airways First Class
Read the BusinessClass.com review of American Airlines Business class
Read the BusinessClass.com review of American Airlines First Class
