A Guide to JFK Airport Lounges: What to Know

New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport is a major gateway to the United States, with many international airlines flying to the country's largest city by population. So it's only fitting that such a busy airport offers many lounges to suit flyers.

Lounge options include Priority Pass and American Express Global Lounge Collection which grant access through memberships, and those operated by individual airlines, which admit premium cabin travelers and airline elite status members.

If you have eligible access, here is where you can relax before a flight departing New York-JFK.

JFK is a major hub airport for airlines like Delta Air Lines and JetBlue Airways, but many other airlines operate a lounge to be competitive in this major market. Review your credit card to see if you have access to a lounge, as there are many options, including Priority Pass facilities.

There are six terminals at JFK airport: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8. Terminal 3 and Terminal 6 no longer exist.

Priority Pass sells annual memberships, but you may already have membership through the handful of credit cards with Priority Pass access. In addition, airlines such as Alaska Airlines, American Airlines and Delta, among others, also have lounges.

Most airlines require you to fly with that particular carrier or an eligible partner if you want to use the lounge, even if you're a member.

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

Several international airlines fly in and out of JFK's Terminal 1 with lounge access available. JFK Terminal 1 lounges include Air France, Korean Air and Lufthansa options. A Primeclass Lounge is also available to passengers across select airlines and lounge membership programs.

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.

» Learn more: The guide to SkyTeam

Korean Air KAL Lounge

• Located across from Gate 3.

• Open from 8:30 a.m. to noon daily.

• Open to Priority Pass members who must present a boarding pass from Terminal 1 to enter and Korean Air premium cabin passengers or those with eligible SkyTeam elite status.

This lounge serves a light selection of snacks with views of the airport apron.

Lufthansa Business Class Lounge

• Located to the left after you pass through security.

• Open from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 p.m.

• Open to Priority Pass members during certain hours depending on capacity restraints, and Star Alliance business class and eligible elite status members departing from Terminal 1.

The Lufthansa Business Class Lounge has a hot and cold buffet, a wide selection of drinks, and windows facing the apron.

» Learn more: Your guide to the Star Alliance

Lufthansa Senator Lounge

• Located to the left after you clear security.

• Open from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

• Open to Lufthansa Senator frequent flyers and Star Alliance Gold members departing from Terminal 1.

The lounge has a hot and cold buffet, a wide selection of drinks, and windows facing the apron.

Primeclass Lounge

• Located next to Gates 8 and 9, just beyond security.

• Open to eligible passengers on several airlines — including China Eastern and Cayman Airways — and certain lounge programs like Priority Pass and Dragon Pass.

• Three hours is the maximum length of stay.

• The lounge sells day passes for $59.

Hours at the Primeclass Lounge at JFK vary greatly. The lounge is open from:

• 9:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday and Wednesday.

• 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Tuesday and Saturday.

• 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Thursday.

• 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday.

• 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Sunday.

Visitors can enjoy a buffet of food and drinks and views of the tarmac.

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

JFK Terminal 2 only has a lounge presence for a single airline: Delta Air Lines. While the airline doesn't offer day passes for its lounges, you can gain access by flying internationally on Delta or one of its partners in a premium cabin, maintaining Medallion elite status, purchasing a Delta SkyClub membership or carrying the right co-branded Delta credit card.

Delta Sky Club

• Located on the mezzanine level near Gate C67.

• Open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

• Open to Sky Club members three hours before their Delta (or partner) flight departure time and eligible Delta One and SkyTeam Elite Plus travelers on an international itinerary. Delta passengers with The Platinum Card® from American Express, Centurion Card or Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card are also eligible for access. Terms apply.

• This lounge has shower facilities.

Visitors to the Delta Sky Club in JFK Terminal 4 are treated to a hot and cold buffet, open bar, ample workspace and views of the tarmac.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

JFK Terminal 4 is the largest terminal at the airport. It's home to some of the airport's most sought offer lounges, including the Centurion Lounge.

American Express Centurion Lounge

• Located just beyond the security checkpoints.

• Open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

• Open to cardholders of The Platinum Card® from American Express and Centurion Card three hours before departure if originating at JFK (or any time if in transit). Terms apply.

The JFK Centurion Lounge has self-led relaxation services in partnership with Equinox, two premium bars (including one set up like a speakeasy), a food buffet and impressive views of the airplane area. The AmEx lounge at JFK is also part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection.

» Learn more: How to get into an AmEx Centurion Lounge in JFK

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 passengers on eligible fares (the cheapest business-class fares do not include lounge access unless the customer has Skywards Platinum or Gold status).

• Skywards Platinum and Gold members enjoy access even when traveling in economy.

• Day passes are available to Emirates passengers for $130 (there are discounts for Skywards members).

• The maximum stay is four hours.

Passengers can enjoy a wide selection of food and drink items before departure. There is also a prayer room, shower area and views of the tarmac.

Delta Sky Club

• Located on Concourse B near Gate 31.

• Open from 5 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. daily.

• Open to Sky Club members three hours before their Delta (or partner) flight departure time and eligible Delta One and SkyTeam Elite Plus travelers on an international itinerary. Delta passengers with The Platinum Card® from American Express, Centurion Card or Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card are also eligible for access. Terms apply.

• The Delta lounge at JFK has shower facilities.

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

Visitors are treated to a hot and cold buffet, an open bar, ample workspace and views of the apron. Another notable feature of this lounge is a Sky Deck, an open-door terrace where guests can watch the passing planes and work in the sunshine.

Air India Maharaja Lounge

• Located near Gate 5.

• Open from 8:15 a.m. until 30 minutes before the last departure daily.

• Reserved for Air India passengers in business or first class.

• Open to Priority Pass members with a maximum four-hour stay if space constraints allow.

The Air India Maharaja Lounge has various refreshments, Wi-Fi and airplane views.

Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse

• Located above Gates A4 and A5.

• Open from 5 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

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

• Also open to Delta Gold, Platinum and Diamond Medallion members when flying on Virgin Atlantic.

• The lounge also welcomes a host of other airline passengers, including those traveling in Delta One and top elite status cardholders in several airlines, including Singapore Airlines and Virgin Australia. Gold and Platinum members in Flying Blue are also welcome.

The lounge is known for its a la carte dining, including a selection of tapas, an impressive bar selection and showers.

Wingtips Lounge

• Turn right after security, walk about 50 yards and the lounge will be on your left.

• Open from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

• The lounge sells four-hour entry passes as well as annual memberships.

• Open to Priority Pass members, but only until 4 p.m. for any membership cards.

The Wingtips Lounge at JFK features workspace and a buffet of food and refreshments with excellent apron views.

Only one international airline has a lounge presence in JFK Terminal 5.

Aer Lingus Lounge

• Located across from Gate 26.

• Open from 12:45 p.m. until the last departure daily.

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

The only JFK Terminal 5 lounge features Irish design touches and a buffet of drinks and snacks. In addition, guests can refresh with a shower before the flight.

Alaska Airlines and British Airways have a lounge presence in JFK Terminal 7.

Alaska Lounge

• Located on the mezzanine level above security.

• Open from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

• Open to airline lounge members and Priority Pass cardholders with a valid same-day boarding pass. Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members traveling internationally from Terminal 7 can also use the lounge.

• Visitors can buy day passes at a whopping $60 per person, but it may still make sense for those with plans to eat and drink elsewhere in the terminal.

The Alaska Lounge has light snacks, an open bar and workstations.

British Airways Club Lounge

• Located just beyond security.

• Open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

• Available to British Airways Club World members, Oneworld Sapphire members or Silver and Gold Executive Club members.

The recently renovated lounge features food and beverage stations and ample places to sit, relax, or work. There is also a brasserie where passengers can enjoy dinner before boarding to have more time to rest on the plane.

British Airways First Lounge

• Located after security.

• Open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

• Available to Executive Club Gold Members, Oneworld Emerald members or First Class passengers.

Recently updated and expanded, the lounge features food and beverage stations, areas to relax or work, a wine room and a brasserie where guests can have dinner before boarding, so they have more time to rest on the flight.

American Airlines has two types of lounges: Flagship and Admirals Club. You can find both in JFK Terminal 8.

American Airlines Flagship Lounge

• Located on the mezzanine level after Concourse B security.

• Open from 4:30 a.m. to 12:15 a.m. daily.

• Lounge access is available to American first and business-class passengers and Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members on a same-day, international Oneworld or JetBlue-marketed (but American-operated) flight. In addition, ConciergeKey members can use the Flagship lounge on any itinerary, including domestic flights.

• Non-AAdvantage Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members, business and first-class transcontinental passengers can also use the lounge on domestic itineraries.

• Day passes are available for $150 per person or 15,000 AAdvantage miles.

This class of lounge is the airline's best. The American Airlines Flagship Lounge in JFK Terminal 8 offers a hot and cold buffet, a wide range of wine, Champagne, beer and spirits, work and relaxation areas, and showers. The lounge faces the gate area with planes waiting for their passengers.

Flagship First customers enjoy fine dining in a separate restaurant-style area.

American Admirals Club

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

• Open 4 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily.

• Available to club members and Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® primary cardholders, ConciergeKey members and AirPass members with Admirals Club benefits.

• Same-day, international-bound Oneworld business and first-class passengers can also use this lounge.

• Non-AAdvantage Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members, business and first-class transcontinental passengers can also use the lounge on domestic itineraries.

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

The Admirals Club has light food, an open bar, a menu of chargeable food and drinks, and work or relaxation areas.

» Learn more: Is American Airlines a good airline?

The collection of JFK lounges truly impresses with the breadth of options available to travelers. From Priority Pass and credit card-accessible lounges to airline-branded facilities, there is often a pleasant place to sit back and relax before a flight.