ringingup

Hi,

I have an upcoming trip that will involve transiting via JFK and LAX. I would like your advice with regard to which lounges would be best and/or most practical to visit.

I will be travelling First class all the way (international to JFK, transcon to LAX, domestic to SFO).

1. My LHR-JFK is scheduled to land at T7 at 2:50 PM. I then have a JFK-LAX from T8 at 6:00 PM. I'm assuming I would want to go straight to the Flagship lounge and enjoy the Flagship dining there. Catering on my JFK-LAX may be subpar if affected by the issues at LAX.
2. Arriving at LAX T4 at 9:42 PM and transferring to T0 (is this just because they haven't assigned a terminal yet and so it could be either T4 or T5?) for a LAX-SFO at 11 PM, should I just head to the gate?
3. Finally, I will be landing at 8:49 AM at LAX from SFO. I then have a LAX-JFK from T0 again (?) departing at 10:45 AM. Will that be enough time to visit the Qantas First Class lounge? I have never been and I'd better eat before my flight to JFK.

skunker

Why would JFK-LAX be affected by the catering issues at LAX?

ringingup

I think I’ve read that some services are double catered at LAX, and some services that were double catered at JFK were impacted because of space restrictions.

RogerD408

It's a valid concern. They may choose to double cater in LAX and no catering in JFK. I'm sure they have the facilities, but AA could do something strange.

dll

Your flights to/from SFO will be operated to/from the "Eagle's Nest," a remote terminal building at LAX. It requires a bus transfer from Terminal 5. There is a small but nice Admiral's Club in the Eagle's Nest and I'd think at that time of night it'll be very quiet. It does close at 10:15PM, FWIW. I'd head there when you land, try to grab a quick beverage in the Eagle's Nest lounge and then go straight to the gate.

On your return, you will need to take the bus from Eagle's Nest to T5, then you can walk to TBIT to take advantage of the Qantas lounge. It's doable with your connection time. Bus transfer takes between 15-20 minutes with walking/waiting.

Assume you're doing this for the TP, but if anything goes sideways on your JFK-LAX-SFO leg you can try to sneak on to the JFK-SFO direct.

UltraSean

If you have enough time at LAX, definitely try out the Qantas First Class lounge, which is way above the crAAppy AC. Not to mention the AC has been under renovation forever for the FL opening. The QF lounge is located right at the end of the T4-TBIT airside connector. It takes about 5 min to walk from/to gate 41.

JacksonOBrian

⬆️⬆️⬆️ what they said. T5 admirals club also gave me 1 whole drink coupon for a TATL LAX-LHR flight. Eff them go to OW or Qantas

Stripe

I think you have a good plan. Flagship Dining at JFK, transfer to the remote terminal at LAX and use the Admirals Club there while waiting for your LAX-SFO flight, and definitely visit the Qantas FC Lounge if possible. You can probably make it there within 15 minutes of deplaning your SFO-LAX flight. If you are unlucky, and your LAX-SFO leaves from T5, you'll need a good 15+ minutes to walk there through the tunnel.

UltraSean

Why would the OP need an onboard drink coupon when he travels in first class?
I've been to that T5 lounge quite a few times back when it was still Delta SC. Haven't visited since the terminal swap but I don't expect anything better.
QF lounge will always be my first choice if I have a reasonable time of connection; T4 IFC if not.

ringingup

Good point. In case of re-protection, I may be able to claim the original Tier Points anyway.

The problem is that I imagine it'd be unlikely that there will be many spare seats in F.

DMPHL

The Eagle's Nest actually has buses to both T4 and T5. Sometimes, depending on the time of day (I imagine morning might be a little easier), the T4 queue is enormous while the T5 queue is less so. If the queue looks doable (buses come pretty regularly), then definitely take the bus to T4, and walk to TBIT.

As another poster mentioned, the JFK flights�while the Flagship Lounge is being finished�from T5, so do allow yourself at least 15 minutes to walk there from the QF First Lounge.

QueenOfCoach

Personally, I like to "be where I am supposed to be" in plenty of time. No lounge visit is worth sprinting to a gate or missing a flight, in my opinion. Thus:

2: Your SFO flight will be out of the remote terminal "Eagles Nest". My best advice would be to go directly to the bus departure gates (near T4 gate 42 or T5 gate 53) and get the bus to the Eagles Nest. They have an AC in the Eagles Nest. Since I live near LA, I never connect in LAX, but I have seen long lines and long waits for the bus. Best to get on it sooner rather than later.

3: Your LAX-JFK flight will probably leave from T4 or T5. I think you have time to visit the Qantas First lounge, but don't get too comfy. If your flight leaves from T5, you've got quite a hike to your departure gate. Personally, I suggest you go to the Qantas lounge in TBIT only if your flight leaves from T4. If it leaves from T5, I suggest the AC there.

Time spent walking is not time spent relaxing in the lounge.