BA move to Terminal 8 at JFK/ American abolishing international first class
Oct 26, 2022, 1:50 am
#46
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: LHR, SAN
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Oct 29, 2022, 12:33 pm
#49
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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When other significant lounges opened, such as LGW South and EDI, there was indeed a soft launch stage beforehand, only for a few hours on the first day, half a day on the next day and so on. It really was luck of the draw if you made the available slot.
Oct 29, 2022, 3:06 pm
#50
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 1,851
Indeed, a soft launch can make all the difference to getting practices up to snuff, identifying and ironing out small or unforeseen issues. There's a media preview a few days ahead of Dec 1, so maybe this could follow with a soft opening ahead of selected flights and only for passengers on those flights... we shall see!
Oct 29, 2022, 6:53 pm
#52
Join Date: Mar 2003
Programs: BA GGL; AA LT Gold; AS 100K; DL MM GM; Hyatt G*list, Hilton Diamond; SQ silver
Posts: 3,806
I was told at the AA flagship lounge entrance that the new lounges' opening is being moved up to November 17th. Maybe that's a soft opening date? The same person said he was surprised given the way things looked from the outside.
Oct 30, 2022, 2:53 pm
#55
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: UK
Programs: BA GGL, BA Amex Prem, Amex Plat, Hilton Diamond, Sir Crazy8534 de l'ordres des aides de Pucci
Posts: 4,466
TLFL reporting that the new lounges will be called Chelsea, Soho and Greenwich.
They are reporting:
"So BA and AA have come up with names that work with either New York or London which is clever.
- Chelsea - the top tier lounge, for first class (transcon and international) passengers, BA Premiers and AA Concierge Key
- Soho - For oneworld Emerald/BA Gold
- Greenwich - For business class/BA Silver/oneworld Sapphire
The Chelsea lounge at JFK T8
Another T8 lounge ?Soho
I assume there will be a pretty direct correlation with CCR=chelsea, GF=Soho and GC=Greenwich for entry requirements but I note TLFL have reported uncertainty about GGL access. Would be interesting to see some winding-back of CCR-level access for GGL given what has been said recently about the large increase in eligibility for CCR access at LHR by status (with GGL renewal at 3k TPs now allowing access). Although obviously that is balanced against far reduced numbers of F seats on BA. Interesting times...
Last edited by crazy8534; Oct 30, 2022 at 3:03 pm
Oct 30, 2022, 3:24 pm
#56
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 13,250
I assume there will be a pretty direct correlation with CCR=chelsea, GF=Soho and GC=Greenwich for entry requirements but I note TLFL have reported uncertainty about GGL access. Would be interesting to see some winding-back of CCR-level access for GGL given what has been said recently about the large increase in eligibility for CCR access at LHR by status (with GGL renewal at 3k TPs now allowing access). Although obviously that is balanced against far reduced numbers of F seats on BA. Interesting times...
Oct 30, 2022, 3:56 pm
#57
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: UK
Programs: BA GGL, BA Amex Prem, Amex Plat, Hilton Diamond, Sir Crazy8534 de l'ordres des aides de Pucci
Posts: 4,466
Just wait 'til they rename the GLA lounge Ibrox....
Oct 30, 2022, 4:04 pm
#58
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
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Posts: 13,250
Oct 30, 2022, 11:22 pm
#59
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RBKC
Programs: AA EXP and Eurostar Carte Blanche
Posts: 3,850
Delighted to hear that one of the lounges has been named after my neighbourhood 
However, I am disappointed that it has lost the CCR name.
I guess means I'm going to be visiting Soho a lot more than usual…
However, I am disappointed that it has lost the CCR name.I guess means I'm going to be visiting Soho a lot more than usual…
