Delta finally got into the exclusive business class lounge game in 2024, already with three locations and counting. But the Delta One Lounge at its New York City (JFK) hub is the crown jewel of them all. And the airline has undeniably upped the ante.
For starters, it’s not just massive (like 40,000 square feet massive) but beautiful too, with high-end decor that makes even the spiffiest new Sky Clubs look drab in comparison. There are shower suites, complimentary spa treatments, and more staff pouring champagne than you could possibly count. Oh, and best of all: A sit-down “brasserie” with made-to-order meals that put even some high-end restaurants in the city to shame.
Yet in perhaps the most critical respect, it’s no different than your run-of-the-mill Sky Club: It gets crowded … fast. While it’s unlikely you’ll see a line out the door, even the lounge’s massive footprint and incredibly strict entry requirements weren’t enough during my first visit a few weeks back. Between struggling at times to find an open seat and waiting hours for a table at the restaurant, Delta’s most exclusive new lounge didn’t feel all that exclusive.
Here’s a full review of what you can expect at Delta’s exclusive business class lounge – the good and the bad.
How to Get into Delta One Lounges
Keep your *delta reserve card* or *amex platinum* in your wallet. They won’t do you any good here.
These are Delta’s most exclusive lounges, with an entirely different set of entry requirements than your everyday Delta lounge:
- Travelers with a Delta One ticket, including long-haul international flights as well as transcontinental routes branded as Delta One
- A Delta One ticket departing from the airport works … but so does a business class ticket arriving earlier that day
- Flyers departing or arriving on a business or first class ticket with some (but not all) SkyTeam partner airlines are also eligible, including:
- Air France business class or La Premiere first class
- LATAM business class
- KLM business class
- Korean Air business and first class
- Virgin Atlantic Upper Class
- Flyers with Delta 360, the airline’s invite-only status, can get in … but only with a departing or arriving first class ticket
And that’s … pretty much it. These lounges are reserved almost exclusively for Delta’s highest-paying business class passengers. While business class tickets on long-haul flights over to Europe and Africa or deep into South America are obviously eligible, so are a handful of marquee Delta domestic markets – think transcontinental routes like New York to Los Angeles (LAX) or San Francisco (SFO). But it has to be branded Delta One: A standard first class seat to Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP), Miami (MIA), or even Cancún (CUN) won’t cut it.
Read next: The Best Ways to Book Delta One Business Class for Fewer Points
Delta doesn’t sell memberships or day passes to the Delta One Lounge, nor do they offer ways for other passengers to upgrade their way into the exclusive lounge. Unless they have their own qualifying business class ticket, bringing a guest into a Delta One Lounge is off-limits with the exception of Delta 360 flyers, who can bring up to two guests … for an extra $100 apiece.
That makes the Delta One Lounge even more restrictive than American’s Flagship business class lounges in airports like Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and Chicago-O’Hare, where the airline sells day passes and also offers access to far more flyers with status. But Delta is more generous than United Polaris Lounges, which are only open to long-haul business class passengers – and only ahead of departing flights on partner carriers like Lufthansa or Turkish Airlines, not upon arrival.
Still, these new lounges are incredibly restrictive. In fact, those restrictions have gotten even worse lately – just not in New York. Just days after opening its latest location in Boston (BOS), the airline stopped admitting passengers from virtually all of its partner airlines in order to ensure there was space in the (admittedly small) lounge for customers flying Delta.
Will that policy spread to other Delta business class lounges? Only time will tell.
In one crucial respect, though, Delta One Lounge access is more generous than your typical Sky Club: There’s no time limit for entry. So while you can only head for the Sky Club three hours before departure of a flight, I was free to head to the Delta One Lounge more than six hours before my overnight flight to London.
And the Delta One experience began long before making it to the door of the lounge…
A Special Check-in & Security Procedure
The special treatment starts from the moment you walk into JFK’s Terminal 4.
At JFK (and in Los Angeles, too), Delta offers business class passengers a dedicated check-in entry and security lane, too. It’s impossible to miss: Just look to the far right side of after walking inside the Terminal 4 departures area.
Even Virgin Atlantic, KLM, and LATAM business class passengers can use this check-in area and security queue, since that trio of airlines use Terminal 4 alongside Delta. While Korean Air and Air France business class passengers are also eligible to use the Delta One Lounge, both carriers use JFK’s Terminal 1, so it’s not exactly practical.
So with my Virgin Atlantic ticket for that evening, I headed for the designated entryway. A cheery employee confirmed I was flying Virgin Atlantic Upper Class and escorted me down the walkway, with floor-to-ceiling windows on the right and some snazzy seating areas on the left, in addition to your usual check-in desks.
After a quick chat with a check-in agent to get my boarding pass, I was pointed toward the door and directed to the right, where there’s a dedicated security queue for Delta One (and other SkyTeam business class) passengers. From the time I grabbed my ticket, I didn’t break stride. Best of all, TSA PreCheck even works in this dedicated security area.
Once you get through security, it spits you out on a small, circular concourse perched above the main mall area of Terminal 4 at JFK. From there, it’s just a brief walk over to the entryway of the Delta One Lounge, where an employee was waiting to scan me inside.
The Space (& Lots of it)
I won’t lie: I had high expectations for the first (and biggest) Delta One Lounge. In some ways, it cleared them easily. In others, it fell far short.
For starters, there was no real welcome inside or introduction to the lounge after the agent standing outside scanned my boarding pass. There’s a small area just inside those doors with some help desks, where I waited for a few minutes until an employee eventually acknowledged me … only to point me to a different agent elsewhere to have a carry-on bag stored away in a nearby storage room. Not a big deal, but a shaky start.
From that welcome area on the upper level, the lounge opens up – and even at more than 40,000 square feet, it’s still deceivingly large. And yet, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it still wasn’t big enough.
During my visit, it started to get noticeably busy and uncomfortably full by the early afternoon. By 5 p.m. or so – when the vast majority of the day’s long-haul flights start taking off from JFK – it was undeniably packed. And that was in the late fall, long after the end of the busy summer travel season.
But there’s no denying that the lounge itself is a stunner. From the moment you walk in, it’s clear everything is a step above even the nicest and newest Sky Clubs: an endless array of gold accent walls and overhead lighting, cozy carpeting in seating areas and chevron tiles on bathroom floors, walls full of artwork and shelves full of pottery, textured soft wood tones throughout, and plenty of greenery.
From that welcome area on the upper level, the lounge opens up into a long and winding rectangle punctuated by a maze of different corridors and passageways.
Hang an immediate left and you’ll find the first of two main bathrooms – the other is on the opposite end of the lounge. They were both equally gorgeous and spotless. It’s also where Delta stores passengers’ luggage, though you can’t do that yourself: You’ll need to flag down a lounge employee to tag it and whisk it away for you.
Think of this area as the nucleus of the lounge, flanked by two of the prime spots to relax: A living room-like setup on one side…
And the lounge’s primary bar on the other. The gold-paneled ceiling above is a nice touch, as are those pillars that double as light fixtures.
But consider yourself warned: These areas are also where the lounge tends to feel busiest as the afternoon turns to evening. By 4 p.m. or so, it was hard to find a stool at the bar or a seat nearby. You might want to seek refuge elsewhere.
Hang a left and you’ll find a long corridor with some seating along the windows as well as some handy phone booths. There’s also a bank of elevators back here when it’s time to exit the lounge and head to your flight.
Just to the side of the bar you’ll find the doors out to Delta One Lounge’s year-round terrace. It’s a very nice space with plenty of additional seating, though I do wish it was truly open-air for a last chance at some fresh air before boarding a long flight, even as temperatures drop. And as the day wore on, this area, too, got pretty crowded.
You can head further toward the back of the lounge down a long corridor, again flanked by seating.
Eventually, the lounge opens up into a large dining area – complete with a “Market” and “Bakery” where you can grab a quick bite to eat. And yet, it’s not even the best dining area in the Delta One Lounge … but let’s come back to all that later, shall we?
Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but this spot got pretty packed throughout my visit.
Behind that curving gold accent wall is a nice work area, complete with a long conference table as well as a few phone booths.
But continue past the dining area and you’ll get to some of the best seating areas of the lounge. There’s a handful of armchairs and tables stationed in front of an incredibly chic drink station, where you can pull one of the golden taps to pour yourself a glass of carrot ginger juice or peach tea. This is also where you’ll find the entrance to the wellness area for a relaxation room or spa treatment.
Just beyond that, there’s even more seating – including some very cozy and private cubbies. If I had to pick a favorite spot to relax in the lounge, this would be it. You’ll also find the lounge’s second wing of bathrooms as well as dedicated shower suites back in this corner of the lounge.
Service & Dining
Forget the finer finishes. This is what really sets the Delta One Lounge apart.
For starters, there’s a first-of-its-kind (for Delta, anyway) a la carte restaurant built inside the lounge, where you can sit down and order a high-quality and made-to-order meal. It’s a key differentiator and a welcome amenity: These restaurants-inside-a-lounge are a fixture of United Polaris lounges, while American Airlines has begun shying away from dedicated dining spaces.
In New York, Delta calls its restaurant a “brasserie” which is basically a fancy word for “restaurant.” Branding aside, the airline served up one of the best meals I’ve ever had inside an airport – once I could get a seat inside, anyways. If you’re pressed for time, there’s a “market” – think Sky Club fare on steroids – where you can grab a few tasty dishes, salads, or desserts.
But the service throughout the lounge was arguably even more impressive.
Even as the lounge filled up, lounge staffers still seemed to almost outnumber the guests – there were that many employees inside. There was a constant parade of employees picking up after travelers, offering an amuse bouche of poached scallop with truffle and steak tartare, or rolling around one of the dozen (or more) roving bar carts to offer a refill of wine or champagne.
The “Brasserie” Restaurant
The Delta One Lounge at JFK’s flagship feature is its in-house restaurant, located just to the right of the entryway on the upper level. It’s as stunning as it is large, with room for 140 diners at a time.
If you want a full meal before your flight, just check in with a hostess stationed outside the lounge to make a reservation (or get on the waitlist). There was just one problem when I got to the lounge around noon: It was closed.
Staff outside the lounge faulted some ventilation issues for its closure. Hour after hour, employees said they “hoped” they would be able to open later that day. But with one of its primary spaces closed, it exacerbated crowding issues throughout the rest of the lounge. It could have been a real black mark on my visit (and this review).
Fortunately, the Brasserie eventually opened its doors around 4 p.m. After putting my name on the list and a brief wait, I was escorted to a small table inside. With all those leather chairs and glass-and-gold light fixtures overhead, it really is a beautiful spot for a meal. On looks alone, it blows the dining spaces inside United Polaris lounges out of the water.
But it’s not just stylish: The substance is great, too. Here’s a peek at the menu during my visit (click it for a larger, more legible image) – and yes, this is all complimentary for lounge guests.
There’s also a separate cocktail and wine list – including some “Reserve Spirits” and a lengthy separate wine menu with upgraded options for a price, if you’re looking to splurge. One disappointing aspect: Redeeming SkyMiles for premium drinks here – where every mile counts as a penny toward the cash price – is actually a worse deal than buying champagne at your average Delta Sky Club, where you’ll get 1.5 cents for every mile. That doesn’t seem right…
I started off an early dinner with a baby gem salad, which was crisp and covered in a mound of freshly grated gruyere cheese and tossed in a tangy dijon vinaigrette. It was simple, as it should be, and excellent.
For a main, I ordered the steak frites. While the portions are on the small side, it was cooked to a perfect medium rare, with a light sauce and some confit shallots. And the fries were a dead ringer for McDonalds fresh out of the fryer – the highest compliment I can give.
I skipped dessert to save room for my Virgin Atlantic Upper Class flight that evening. I can’t pretend I wasn’t tempted by the lounge’s signature dark chocolate soufflé or the kitschy cheesecake, which is shaped like a real block of cheese.
Overall, it was an excellent meal – a step above what I’ve eaten even in some of the world’s best airport lounges. Service, though, was a bit on the slow side: It took a solid 15 to 20 minutes after finishing my salad for the entree to arrive.
So consider this your warning: If you want to sneak in a full meal before heading to your gate, heading to the restaurant earlier is likely better.
An Excellent Buffet Setup, Too
While the restaurant is a can’t miss for a high-quality meal, there’s more to eat at the Delta One Lounge.
Namely, there’s a separate dining room toward the back of the lounge with a selection of salads, sandwiches, baked goods, flatbreads, and more. This isn’t your usual serve-yourself buffet setup. Rather, point out what you’d like and the helpful staff will dish you up – or mix your salad fresh.
And the food is leagues better than your average lounge fare, too. While waiting for the restaurant to open, I sampled some chicken schnitzel with sauerkraut and Brussels sprouts. The sprouts were lightly charred and flavorful. And while the chicken was done well with a crispy breadcrumb coating, it was also on the cold side.
The banana pudding – made with Delta’s Biscoff cookies in place of Nilla Wafers – was a real highlight.
Maybe it was just a byproduct of the restaurants delayed opening that day, but lounge attendants also made the rounds with trays of small snacks and appetizers: steak tartare, roasted carrots in a quinoa salad, poached scallops, avocado toast, and more.
Extra Amenities
Delta also upped the ante with in-lounge amenities.
There’s a full wing of shower suites at the back of the Delta One Lounge at JFK – and while several standard Sky Clubs offer a spot for passengers to rinse off, these are a big step above. But with 40,000 square feet to spare, Delta also packed in some extras like shoe shines, relaxation rooms to catch a quick nap, and even some complimentary spa treatments.
It’s all bookable via QR code placards stationed throughout the lounge. Just enter your name, reserve your spot, and you’ll get a text when it’s your turn.
The one exception is for spa treatments. You’ll need to head for the wellness area (near the back of the lounge) in order to get your name on the list and fill out a waiver.
Shower Suites
With dozens of long-haul departures a day, Delta went all out to give business class passengers a place to freshen up.
There are eight shower suites in the Delta One Lounge at JFK, all located at the far end of the lounge. You can reserve your spot via QR code.
I booked my spot early in the afternoon before traffic really started to pick up. And I’m glad I did: I got a text just a minute or so after filling out the form. Based on how packed the lounge got by 3 p.m. or so, I’m guessing it would have been a much longer wait to rinse off later in the day.
These shower suites are huge and high quality, complete with their own private bathrooms …
… and, of course, the shower: A large, tiled walk-in shower with a rainfall head and a separate wand.
Between the Grown Alchemist amenities, a robe and slippers, a blow dryer, and extras like mouthwash or Q-tips, you should have almost anything you need to prep for a long-haul flight. Additional amenities are available upon request.
There’s even a dedicated closet to hang up your clothes for a quick steam as you’re showering!
Relaxation Pods & Massage Chairs
While I certainly wouldn’t call them full-blown nap rooms, there are nine “relaxation pods” available for a quick rest before departure.
These are located in the lounge’s Wellness Area toward the back of the lounge. There’s a mixture of recliners and zero-gravity chairs that push all the way back to a lie-flat surface – all behind floor-to-ceiling blackout curtains for some privacy and darkness.
These are available on a first-come, first-served basis to travelers who book using a QR code. But for another reminder for just how busy this lounge can get: My wait for a relaxation pod was nearly two hours long … and that was before the Delta One Lounge got truly busy.
The recliner was certainly comfortable – especially with a set of Delta’s inflight bedding available. Personally, though, I’d prefer a full lie-flat surface to get a real nap in.
There are also a handful of massage chairs available back here, though I didn’t have a chance to try them out.
Spa Treatments
It could be the headline item of the Delta One Lounge JFK: Complimentary spa treatments while you wait for your flight. But don’t hold your breath while waiting for one.
Back in the wellness area, you can get on the list for a free session:
- A hand and arm “facial”
- A 10-minute shoulder, scalp and temple massage
- Or a quick cryotherapy eye treatment with ice gloves and serum
But the waits are long – really long. Case in point: When I put my name down for a hand and arm facial – the treatment with the shortest wait, at the time – I was warned it would take about four hours until my turn. By the time I eventually received a text telling me to head back for my treatment, I was preparing to leave the lounge for boarding.
Clearly, Delta doesn’t have enough space, staff, or both to cope with the demand for these special spa treatments.
Bottom Line
No question, the Delta One Lounge at JFK is special. It’s leaps and bounds better than even the best Sky Clubs in the country and a much-needed improvement for Delta’s business class passengers. It might be the best lounge in the U.S.
Yet even at 40,000 square feet, it starts to feel overcrowded – and not just in the peak summer when travel demand is at its highest, but even in the fall and winter. So while Delta One passengers will likely love the onsite restaurant and high-end finishes, they’ll still have to prepare to bump elbows with fellow guests even at Delta’s most exclusive lounge.
