Delta opens its first Delta One Lounge at New York’s JFK Airport

Delta Airlines was perhaps a bit late in opening a dedicated lounge for first-class passengers, especially as Sky Clubs became increasingly crowded. But the airline is making up for that by opening its first Delta One lounge in JFK’s Terminal 4 tomorrow. And it is a looker: huge – 3,700 square meters – divided into separate, elegantly designed areas and with spa and dining areas that may encourage passengers to get to the airport early.

The special treatment starts early with a dedicated check-in area in the previous Sky Priority area near the suitable wall of the terminal as you walk in. A staff member waits to take passengers’ bags to a check-in kiosk and check them in while they wait in lounge chairs. Starting in the autumn, this area will transition directly into its own security area, freeing them from the overall chaos of the opposite security checkpoints. (In the meantime, Delta Digital ID accelerates the passage of passengers, especially on this terminal.)

There are several areas within the lounge to while away the time before departure. The point of interest is the Icon Bar, with its curved, gilded partitions, marble bar and fluted glass lighting that appears to be harking back to New York’s Radio City Music Hall. Cocktails include classics like a French 75, Espresso Martini and Old Fashioned, but with a Delta/Atlanta twist, consisting of Woodford Reserve Rye, peach-infused maple syrup and Angostura bitters. Wines like Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc and Willamette Valley Pinot Noir are served complimentary. Reserve spirits like 18-year-old Macallan single malt and Rémy Martin Louis XIII, in addition to reserve bottled wines from Brunello di Montalcino to Opus One, will be purchased with either dollars or miles.

Opposite the bar is the Fireplace Lounge, named after the hearth within the wall below the tv. It is surrounded by curved butterscotch-colored leather armchairs with accent pillows by Missoni, the elite Italian design brand that’s the airline’s recent partner and designed its latest amenity kit. On the side facing the runways is a terrace with a retractable roof for outdoor seating when the weather is sweet.

Across the Icon Bar is the Brasserie, where a collaboration between Restaurant Associates and restaurant owner and Delta partner Danny Meyer’s Union Square Events offers three-course menus that last 90 minutes, or faster if needed. Take your time, the courses are value it. First courses include corn agnolotti with chili corn relish, basil and corn beurre blanc, steamed PEI mussels with Thai basil and green curry, and hamachi crudo with avocado, chili crisp, radishes and honey citrus vinaigrette. Second courses include seared salmon with ratatouille, basil and sauce vierge, curried cauliflower steak with shallot granola, blood orange and date puree, and roasted chicken with creamy parmesan polenta, baby leaf salads and concentrated chicken jus. Desserts include a dark chocolate soufflé and New York cheesecake with sour cherry compote and cherry ripple ice cream, proudly representing this New York classic. (Not all of them called New York cheesecake do.)

Those in a rush or prefer a lighter meal will find a close-by market and bakery section with a New York Bagel Bar, baked goods like a banana chocolate chip muffin or hot breakfast items like monkey bread French toast with vanilla maple syrup. Small plates for later within the day include hummus and crudités, sandwiches like chicken salad with herbs and pickled grapes on a croissant and a wide range of flatbreads including ones with corn and summer squash, prosciutto and arugula and a Margherita with mozzarella, tomato and basil. There’s also a healthy salad section with selections like Mediterranean and Caesar salad and a Zen Bowl with pearl barley, chickpea curry, roasted carrots with harissa and roasted beets, but it surely takes self-control to get there because it’s behind the dessert choice of passion fruit lemon bars, Biscoff Cookie Banana Caramel Pudding and huge Milk Chocolate Chunk Cookies, to call just a few.

Behind the dining area is a business area with communal tables and soundproof booths, in addition to a leisure area for passengers and their clothes. There are nine booths, including five with full-body massage chairs, 4 curtained areas with leisure equipment, and one other with a massage table: treatments include a restorative shoulder, scalp and temple massage, and an invigorating treatment for the eyes. Near the right-hand shower suites is a closet where passengers can hang their clothes; valet parking can pick them up from the opposite side, take them for steaming, and return them when the shower is finished. Shoe shine service can also be available.

With the opening of this lounge, the airline can also be announcing plans for more. The Delta One lounges at LAX and Boston Logan International Airport are scheduled to open later this yr.