Jan 5, 2024, 11:41 am
Last edit by: Prospero
For the latest updates and discussion related to the champagnes on offer, please visit the sister thread linked below
JFK Chelsea Lounge | la mise à jour du champagne
JFK Chelsea Lounge | la mise à jour du champagne
British Airways and American Airlines Chelsea Lounge - JFK Terminal 8
Dec 4, 2022, 7:02 am
#137
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
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Actually, I think the lighting is the main culprit here. From the photos it appears harsh and poorly aimed. Something a good lighting designer can fine tune with an ipad and lighting control app
Dec 4, 2022, 7:04 am
#138
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Some
Posts: 5,538
Yes, I think this is where those who designed Flounge LHR/LGW, GF (to some extent), CCR, EDI etc should take a bow. And it's where from the photos at least Chelsea, maybe not Soho, appears to have lost out on the "cosy to relaxing comfortable" space. See also AA's brand new DCA lounge at E concourse, and the Qatar lounges - first glimpse they look modern and well designed, a fortune was spent on them, and yet it is lacking in that sense of relaxation. I guess we're only supposed to be in the lounge for an hour so maybe it doesn't matter in the great scheme of things, but there is some aspect of design which isn't money related but sets the tone.
Qantas International First lounge in SYD would be an example where it works successfully elsewhere, so it's by no means a BA monopoly.
Qantas International First lounge in SYD would be an example where it works successfully elsewhere, so it's by no means a BA monopoly.
It’s definitely not just that (although that’s part of it). It’s also that whichever seat you choose you can see everyone else at every table, the monotone grey seating adds zero warmth and everything is just a bit too angular. It just doesn’t look comfy even if it actually is to sit on.
Last edited by Prospero; Dec 20, 2022 at 1:11 pm Reason: combine consecutive posts
Dec 4, 2022, 7:13 am
#139
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: LDN / NY
Programs: BA GGL, Marriott Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 552
It’s definitely not just that (although that’s part of it). It’s also that whichever seat you choose you can see everyone else at every table, the monotone grey seating adds zero warmth and everything is just a bit too angular. It just doesn’t look comfy even if it actually is to sit on.
Every seat has you with 20+ people in your eye-line and if you sit in the middle the areas behind you are a walk-way.
And furniture, as I have said a few times, none of it is deep, all of the chairs are stiff and as a result it's nearly impossible to get comfortable and stare off into the distance. If you do stare, you're probably looking someone. The only truly premium thing about it is the f&b assuming they have everything.
Dec 4, 2022, 7:30 am
#140
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
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Lack of privacy, lack of comfort, and bad lighting are not mutually exclusive… 
And of course, none of us want to rub it in, but by choosing the one location with zero windows for their supposedly best lounge, AA/BA didn’t make it easy for themselves….
And of course, none of us want to rub it in, but by choosing the one location with zero windows for their supposedly best lounge, AA/BA didn’t make it easy for themselves….
Dec 4, 2022, 8:21 am
#142
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAS/FCO/JFK/LAX
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Posts: 311
I agree with you, but this is still how this country works for some unfortunately
Last edited by IkarosBOS; Dec 4, 2022 at 9:05 am
Dec 4, 2022, 8:46 am
#144
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: LDN / NY
Programs: BA GGL, Marriott Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 552
I didn’t try the steak as it was out, but let’s give the chef the benefit of the doubt and trust they wouldn’t destroy it.
So yes, you can go there for nice drinks and a steak, but once you’ve taken in the nice looking bar I think you’re done there.
if you’re not a carnivore, just the drink and a mediocre salad.
Dec 4, 2022, 9:09 am
#145
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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The menu looks pretty weak for a top lounge - worse than the previous FFD and CCR offerings! Very disappointing.
Dec 4, 2022, 3:10 pm
#146
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: West Sussex
Programs: BA Gold, VS Gold
Posts: 918
Printer paper menu was how FFD was operating in early November - never a good sign.
As someone mentioned above, this lounge is run by two multi-billon pound airlines / a large food vendor that have all known this was coming for months. They should have adequate staffing and supply chain logistics in order from day 1 (maybe day 2 or 3), especially given all of the hype they put into this with the bloggers. Just because I show up at 7 pm shouldn’t mean all of the advertised F&B options are depleted or can’t be served due to staffing issues.
Running out of food and drink is very similar to legacy FFD where they would run out of Krug (pre-COVID), LPGS and JW Blue or not serve any of them unless specifically referenced.
Hopefully all of this feedback is constructively taken so that the lounge is improved in short order and doesn’t fall on deaf ears.
The $400 per person each way is on point I believe for any flight that does not have flagship F. If you have OWE, the only benefit is the Chelsea lounge. It may make more sense to shell out for one of the Five Star services (I forget which one comes with FFD / presumably Chelsea).
As someone mentioned above, this lounge is run by two multi-billon pound airlines / a large food vendor that have all known this was coming for months. They should have adequate staffing and supply chain logistics in order from day 1 (maybe day 2 or 3), especially given all of the hype they put into this with the bloggers. Just because I show up at 7 pm shouldn’t mean all of the advertised F&B options are depleted or can’t be served due to staffing issues.
Running out of food and drink is very similar to legacy FFD where they would run out of Krug (pre-COVID), LPGS and JW Blue or not serve any of them unless specifically referenced.
Hopefully all of this feedback is constructively taken so that the lounge is improved in short order and doesn’t fall on deaf ears.
The $400 per person each way is on point I believe for any flight that does not have flagship F. If you have OWE, the only benefit is the Chelsea lounge. It may make more sense to shell out for one of the Five Star services (I forget which one comes with FFD / presumably Chelsea).
Context - the majority of my travel is business travel with good travel poilicy (J over 6 hrs). For transatlatic travel I always try and bundle in a connection to my itinerary, for the extra 80 TP on a return ticket (with the exception of BOS and JFK - where the time hit makes it unattractive. For south east coast or anywhere else where the flights are >7hrs - I dont' mind adding 3-4 hours in connections).
I usually travel on a saturday to allow for good recovery to start Monday morning meetings, added benefit being I save the company a chunk by throwing in the saturday night.
With the chelsea lounge now I am thinking to force my connections through JFK, and assuming I am booking a flex J ticket through AA, I should then benefit from chelsea lounge. With marginal difference to a standard flexible connecting itinerary I woudl have normally booked through BA.
I have to run the numbers - have I missed something?
Dec 4, 2022, 3:22 pm
#147
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Unless you have status based access to the Chelsea lounge, you will need be travelling in BA First or AA Flagship First, or AA Flagship Business Plus. The latter is not available on flights where Flagship First is offered - so it's not as simple as just booking a flexible J ticket on AA. There is typically only one LHR-JFK flight a day that doesn't offer Flagship First.
Dec 4, 2022, 3:46 pm
#148
Join Date: Mar 2017
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I lasted twenty minutes in here. No privacy, no natural light, rubbish acoustics, half the drinks and food advertised were missing and chaotic service. A total waste of time and money,
Dec 4, 2022, 6:26 pm
#149
Join Date: Mar 2017
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Posts: 1,100
I’ve been trying to work out what it reminded me of; and I think it feels like the nuclear bunker I would expect Putin to be taken to when WW3 breaks out.