A Guide to JFK Airport Lounges: What to Know

New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport is a major U.S. gateway bringing travelers from around the world to the country and taking Americans to the rest of the world. For such a large airport, its many terminals need lots of premium lounges to cater to its passengers. And JFK delivers on the lounge front, but not every terminal has a lounge for everyone.

Whether you use Priority Pass, the American Express Global Lounge Collection or individual airline lounges as a premium cabin flyer, you’ll want to review which lounges are available in which terminal.

If you have airline elite status, be sure to read the rules to make sure you can use the lounge for your particular trip, and of course consider opening a travel card that comes with lounge access as a benefit for easy entry.

New York-JFK is a hub airport for airlines like Delta Air Lines and JetBlue Airways, but that doesn’t mean other airlines aren’t very active on the runways to grab their piece of the pie in this competitive market. Even if you’re flying in economy class without elite status, check if your credit card has perks like Priority Pass that grants you some sort of lounge access.

There are five terminals currently open for flights at JFK airport: 1, 4, 5, 7 and 8. Terminals 2 and 3 and Terminal 6 are either permanently closed or no longer exist.

Priority Pass offers annual memberships, so be sure to check to see if your wallet holds any credit cards that offer Priority Pass access. Or maybe your ticket (or a lounge membership) gives access to airline lounges from Alaska Airlines, American Airlines and Delta, each of which have lounges at the airport among other airlines.

» Learn more: The best Priority Pass lounges in the U.S.

Most airlines will want to see a departing boarding pass showing that you are flying that airline or a partner carrier to be able to enter. Airline lounge members or those eligible for access based on the type of ticket or elite status they have can also gain access.

These are the currently open lounges at New York-JFK available for departing passengers.

JFK's Terminal 1 has a potpourri of airlines and related lounges to cater to them. They include airline and Priority Pass-accessible facilities. Here’s what you’ll find.

Air France Lounge

• Located next to Gate 1.

• Open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

• Must present a boarding pass to enter.

• Open to many SkyTeam premium cabin and eligible elite status passengers departing from Terminal 1. It is also available to Priority Pass members, subject to space restrictions.

In addition to hot and cold buffet meals and drinks, Air France's late evening departure passengers can enjoy the same business class meal they would on board while in the lounge to allow for more time to rest in flight. Air France passengers can also take advantage of a Clarins Spa with complimentary treatments from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.

» Learn more: The guide to SkyTeam

Korean Air KAL Lounge

• Located across from Gate 3.

• Hours vary by flight time and season. Open from 10 a.m. to 1:50 p.m. and between 9:30 p.m. to 12:50 a.m. on most days.

• Open to Priority Pass members flying from Terminal 1 (on a space-available basis) and Korean Air premium cabin passengers or those with SkyTeam elite status.

This lounge has light snacks as well as a bar selection.

Lufthansa Business Class Lounge

• Located just to the left after passing through the security lane.

• Open from noon to 1 a.m.

• Open to Priority Pass members during certain hours depending on capacity restraints and also Star Alliance business class and those with eligible elite status on flights leaving from Terminal 1.

Guests can enjoy a hot and cold buffet, an open bar with a selection of drinks and windows facing the planes parked at their gates.

» Learn more: Your guide to the Star Alliance

Lufthansa Senator Lounge

• Located to the left after you clear security.

• Open from noon to 9:30 p.m. 

• Open to Lufthansa Senator-level frequent flyers as well as Star Alliance Gold members departing on an eligible flight from Terminal 1.

The lounge has a hot and cold buffet (slightly more expanded than what you’ll find in the Business Lounge), an open bar with a selection of drinks plus windows facing the aircraft.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

Primeclass Lounge

• Located next to Gates 8 and 9.

• Open to eligible passengers in the premium cabin or with elite status on several airlines — including China Eastern and Cayman Airways — as well as those with Priority Pass and Dragon Pass access among others.

• The visit is limited to three hours, but it can be extended for a fee.

• The lounge sells day passes for $65.

Hours at the Primeclass Lounge at JFK vary based on the flights leaving from the terminal each day. The lounge is open from:

• 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday.

• 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.

• 8:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Wednesday.

• 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Thursday.

• 8:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday.

• 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Visitors will have access to a light buffet of food, an open bar and views of the apron.

» Learn more: How to maximize your Priority Pass Select membership

JFK Terminal 4 is the largest terminal with plenty of lounge options, including the ever-popular Centurion Lounge, which has its own secret speakeasy for tasty cocktails.

American Express Centurion Lounge

• Located to the left after the security checkpoints.

• Open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

• Open to cardholders of The Platinum Card® from American Express and Centurion Card, but only three hours before departure if originating at JFK (or any time if connecting between flights). Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card holders also have access when flying a Delta-operated or marketed flight. Terms apply.

The JFK Centurion Lounge has two premium bars (including one set up like a speakeasy), a food and snack buffet plus an entertaining view of the international lineup of planes parked at the gate.

» Learn more: JFK Centurion Lounge review: A speakeasy inside the airport

Emirates Lounge

• Located near Gate A5.

• Open daily from 6:40 a.m. to 10:40 a.m. and 6:10 p.m. to 11 p.m.

• Available to first and business-class Emirates passengers, but note that the cheapest business class fares do not permit lounge access unless the passenger has Skywards Platinum or Gold status.

• Skywards Platinum and Gold members can use the lounge even when traveling in economy.

• Day passes to this lounge are available to Emirates passengers for $155 (the cost for Skywards members is $125).

• The maximum stay is four hours.

The lounge offers an impressive selection of food and drinks plus a prayer room, shower area and comfortable seating with views of the airport action.

Delta Sky Club Concourse B

• Located on Concourse B near Gate 31.

• Open from 4:45 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. daily.

• Open to Sky Club members and eligible departing passengers three hours before a Delta (or partner) flight (including Delta One travelers and non-Delta-member SkyTeam Elite Plus passengers in any cabin). Those with a connecting flight at JFK do not have a time limit and can use the lounge at any time. Passengers on a Delta-operated flight with The Platinum Card® from American Express, Centurion Card or Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card can also access the lounge. Reserve cardholders are limited to 15 annual visits, while Platinum card members get 10. Spending $75,000 on either of those cards unlocks unlimited access. Terms apply.

This Delta lounge at JFK has shower facilities as well as the famous Sky Deck, which offers al fresco views of the apron for some fresh air. Visitors can tuck into a hot and cold buffet as well as an open bar.

Delta Sky Club Concourse A

• Located on Concourse A near Gate A7.

• Open from 5 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. daily.

• Open to Sky Club members and eligible departing passengers three hours before a Delta (or partner) flight (including Delta One travelers). Those with a connecting flight at JFK do not have a time limit and can use the lounge at any time. Passengers on a Delta-operated flight with The Platinum Card® from American Express, Centurion Card or Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card can also access the lounge. Reserve cardholders are limited to 15 annual visits, while Platinum card members get 10. Spending $75,000 on either of those cards unlocks unlimited access. Terms apply.

» Learn more: How to get into the Delta Sky Club before your flight

Visitors can dine on food from a hot and cold buffet, enjoy an open bar and make use of ample workspace.

Air India Maharaja Lounge

• Located near Gate 5.

• Open from 7 a.m. until midnight.

• Reserved for Air India passengers in business or first class or Star Alliance Gold flyers on an alliance-member flight from this terminal.

• Open to Priority Pass members, but only for a three-hour maximum stay if space is available.

The Air India Maharaja Lounge has a small buffet with various refreshments, free Wi-Fi and airplane views.

Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse

• Located above Gates A4 and A5.

• Open from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

• Accessible to Virgin Atlantic Upper Class passengers and Flying Club Gold members.

• Also open to SkyTeam Elite Plus members when flying on Delta or Virgin Atlantic.

• The lounge also welcomes a host of other airline passengers, including those traveling in Delta One or in the premium cabin on China Airlines as well as top elite status cardholders in several airlines, including Singapore Airlines and Virgin Australia. 

The lounge is known for its a la carte dining, including a selection of tapas and even a kids menu, plus an impressive bar selection, billiard table and showers.

Terminal 7 has two lounges at JFK, but neither of them accept lounge access cards like Priority Pass.

Alaska Lounge

• Located on the mezzanine level above security.

• Open from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

• Open to airline lounge members of both Alaska and American Airlines with a valid same-day boarding pass. Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members traveling internationally from Terminal 7 also can gain access to this lounge.

• Visitors can buy day passes at a whopping $60 per person, but only if they are flying on a Oneworld airline.

In addition to workstations, the Alaska Lounge serves light meals, refreshments from an open bar and Starbucks coffee.

Aer Lingus Lounge

• Near Gate 1.

• Open between the first and last departure of the airline’s daily flights.

• Open to business class passengers on Aer Lingus and elite status AerClub members.

Aer Lingus has moved operations to Terminal 7, and its new lounge takes up the space from the old British Airways Concorde Room. The lounge offers light snacks and preflight dining service for its business class passengers so they have more time to rest on the flight to Ireland.

American Airlines and British Airways now operate joint lounges in Terminal 8, one of which is part of its Flagship Lounge program, but it has been renamed to the Greenwich Lounge. The others are for premium cabin and elite status passengers plus Admirals Club members.

Greenwich Lounge

• Located on the mezzanine level after Concourse B security, above Gate 12.

• Open from 4:30 a.m. to 1:15 a.m. daily.

• Lounge access is available to Oneworld business class passengers and Oneworld Sapphire members on a same-day, international Oneworld or JetBlue-marketed (but American-operated) flight. Non-AAdvantage Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members, business class transcontinental passengers can also use the lounge on domestic itineraries.

• Passengers in business class on qualifying routes to Hawaii also have access.

• Non-AAdvantage Oneworld Sapphire members (like those from partner carriers Finnair or Qatar Airways, for example) can also use the lounge on domestic itineraries.

The Greenwich Lounge in JFK Terminal 8 has a hot and cold buffet; a self-serve bar with wine, Champagne, beer and spirits; relaxation areas; ample power outlets and showers. Aviation geeks will enjoy that planes park right in front of the lounge.

Soho Lounge

• Located on the mezzanine level above Gate 14. 

• Open from 4:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily.

• Lounge access is available to Oneworld first class passengers and Oneworld Emerald members on a same-day, international Oneworld or JetBlue-marketed (but it has to be American-operated) flight. 

• Non-AAdvantage Oneworld Emerald members (like those from partner carriers Finnair or Qatar Airways, for example) can also use the lounge on domestic itineraries.

• A special perk for ConciergeKey members is that they can use the Soho Lounge on any flight marketed and operated by a Oneworld carrier, or marketed by JetBlue but operated by American in any cabin, including domestic flights.

This lounge has a hot and cold buffet as well as a bar with complimentary wine, beer and spirits. Excellent views of the apron are available from this space, which also has showers, a library, work pods and nap areas.

Chelsea Lounge

• Located above Gate 14.

• Open 4:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily.

• Same-day, international-bound Oneworld first-class passengers, as well as those in Flagship First or Flagship Business Plus fares, can use this lounge.

• ConciergeKey members traveling on qualifying international, transcontinental or long-haul Hawaii flights (in any cabin when traveling on either American or British Airways) can also access this lounge.

Chelsea Lounge is the most premium of the trio of American-British Airways joint lounges. It has a sit-down restaurant with a la carte dining inspired by James Beard Foundation chefs, a Champagne bar and shower suites.

» Learn more: JFK Chelsea Lounge review: Exclusive luxury but not perfect

American Admirals Club

• Located on the third floor in Concourse C of Terminal 8 across from Gate 42.

• Open 4:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily.

• Available to club members as well as those with the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®, ConciergeKey members and AirPass members with Admirals Club benefits.

• Also available to same-day, international Oneworld business and first-class passengers.

• Non-AAdvantage Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members, qualifying business and first-class transcontinental passengers, plus eligible, long-haul Hawaii-bound flyers can use the lounge on qualifying itineraries.

• Visitors can purchase a day pass for $59 or 5,900 AAdvantage miles.

The Admirals Club serves a light buffet of food, an open bar and a menu of chargeable food and drinks. In addition, the lounge has a kids play area. There are made-to-order specialties like guacamole or morning avocado toast with salmon during certain hours.

» Learn more: Is American Airlines a good airline?

One of the easiest ways to secure lounge access at an airport like JFK is carrying a card that comes with lounge access benefits. Based on the lounges available to travelers at JFK, here are a few options to consider:

JFK is a huge airport with a large number of airline and third-party lounges. From Priority Pass and credit card-branded lounges to airline and alliance facilities, many travelers will find a place to sit back and relax, enjoy tasty food and drinks or get some work done before a flight.

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, see this page.

To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.