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 ŕ jour du champagne
JFK Chelsea Lounge | la mise ŕ jour du champagne
British Airways and American Airlines Chelsea Lounge - JFK Terminal 8
Jan 11, 2023 | 8:32 am
#661
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: San Diego
Posts: 2,865
Earlier this morning the lounge was rammed and there were no free seats in the dining area. I think a combination of four AA transcons and the BA LHR leaving around the same time really filled the lounge up, plus the FAA ground stop not helping.
I really liked the lounge. The staff were very friendly and provided excellent service, the lighting was soft and the breakfast menu was equal to the CCR or FFD before. Not all the seats are great but there are some very nice areas with cosy seating to relax in, especially around the fireplace.
Champagne selection was not so good. The Ruinart was not available and the premium champagne was Laurent Perrier Rose. Not awful but not top notch.
There were some management types floating around and chatting to the staff about what was working and what wasn’t, so hopefully we’ll continue to see some incremental improvements.
Jan 11, 2023 | 8:55 am
#662
Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 58
I am indeed! British politeness at its best...
Yes - it's a shame all the champagnes are not available but the team has been very hospitable and I've successfully navigated a mini wine-flight of the LP Rose and all the Moëts with impressive narrative from Marvin, the host...
Breakfast was great.
Safe trip to LAX. I'm following on the 11:29 and no delay so fingers crossed!
Yes - it's a shame all the champagnes are not available but the team has been very hospitable and I've successfully navigated a mini wine-flight of the LP Rose and all the Moëts with impressive narrative from Marvin, the host...
Breakfast was great.
Safe trip to LAX. I'm following on the 11:29 and no delay so fingers crossed!
Jan 11, 2023 | 2:04 pm
#663
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA 1MM CK, DL Plat, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador (RIP SPG), BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,471
I am indeed! British politeness at its best...
Yes - it's a shame all the champagnes are not available but the team has been very hospitable and I've successfully navigated a mini wine-flight of the LP Rose and all the Moëts with impressive narrative from Marvin, the host...
Breakfast was great.
Safe trip to LAX. I'm following on the 11:29 and no delay so fingers crossed!
Yes - it's a shame all the champagnes are not available but the team has been very hospitable and I've successfully navigated a mini wine-flight of the LP Rose and all the Moëts with impressive narrative from Marvin, the host...
Breakfast was great.
Safe trip to LAX. I'm following on the 11:29 and no delay so fingers crossed!
Jan 11, 2023 | 3:23 pm
#664
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: BCT. Formerly known as attorney28
Programs: LH HON,BA GGL GfL,Hyatt LT Glob,Mrtt LT P,Hilt LT D,IC Amb,Acc P,GHA Tit,LHW Strlg,Sixt/Av/Hz D/Pres
Posts: 6,872
Apologies if this has been answered before: Assuming one has access (based on status or based on coming in on a LAX-JFK AA three-class first ticket), arriving passengers get in (even if no onward flight on the same day)?
Jan 11, 2023 | 3:31 pm
#665
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA 1MM CK, DL Plat, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador (RIP SPG), BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,471
Jan 11, 2023 | 5:15 pm
#667
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: BA, LH, EK, AF, HH
Posts: 17
I had a pleasant (albeit short) stay in Chelsea yesterday and found the staff to be very welcoming and friendly. However, I do question the value of providing guests with a champagne menu when they don't have those listed on hand. I ordered the Ruinart and was told that they "probably don't have that one available...." so the waiter went off to check and came back with a Laurent Perrier Rose instead! Which isn't even on the menu (though I suppose anything not listed is a "Chelsea Signature Series"). But there are worse games to play in the world than champagne roulette so I must not complain...
Jan 12, 2023 | 1:09 pm
#670
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2022
Location: London
Posts: 28
I had a thought this morning: swap the Chelsea and Soho lounges. The F&B issue can be fixed in any location (they both have kitchens). Make the First/GGL experience in the spacious room as it once was. Soho users would love the décor of Chelsea and Chelsea users get the space and views of Soho.
The First lounge in T5 LHR is packed so why not fully pack out the current Chelsea as the new Soho?
The current Soho is a few tweaks away from the old JFK CCR and none of this would cost much.
The First lounge in T5 LHR is packed so why not fully pack out the current Chelsea as the new Soho?
The current Soho is a few tweaks away from the old JFK CCR and none of this would cost much.
Jan 12, 2023 | 4:04 pm
#672
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: London, United Kingdom
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold;BA GGL; hhonors lifetime diamond; Marriott lt Gold; IH Plat Amb; Amex Centurion
Posts: 4,781
Jan 12, 2023 | 6:45 pm
#673
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA 1MM CK, DL Plat, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador (RIP SPG), BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,471
Jan 12, 2023 | 6:55 pm
#674
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: BCT. Formerly known as attorney28
Programs: LH HON,BA GGL GfL,Hyatt LT Glob,Mrtt LT P,Hilt LT D,IC Amb,Acc P,GHA Tit,LHW Strlg,Sixt/Av/Hz D/Pres
Posts: 6,872
Yes, LP Rosé is the only thing they have right now.
Arrived on LAX-JFK F which was not a problem. I told them I have a flight tomorrow morning to MIA and asked them about GGL access. The agents seemed to be AA only, and she showed me a screenshot on her phone from Dec. 11th that said BA GGL only on international flights. She said I should just show my arriving boarding pass from tonight. I then showed her the BA website which clearly states that GGL (plus one guest) have access on any flight. She said "but the system will not let you in, that's wrong, that's not how it's programmed".
She went on to say that "BA Premier, which is the equivalent of Concierge Key, has access on any flight". I said that I believed GGL is the equivalent of Concierge Key. She and her colleague said "no no, only BA Premier".
So BA has still not sorted this out.
Arrived on LAX-JFK F which was not a problem. I told them I have a flight tomorrow morning to MIA and asked them about GGL access. The agents seemed to be AA only, and she showed me a screenshot on her phone from Dec. 11th that said BA GGL only on international flights. She said I should just show my arriving boarding pass from tonight. I then showed her the BA website which clearly states that GGL (plus one guest) have access on any flight. She said "but the system will not let you in, that's wrong, that's not how it's programmed".
She went on to say that "BA Premier, which is the equivalent of Concierge Key, has access on any flight". I said that I believed GGL is the equivalent of Concierge Key. She and her colleague said "no no, only BA Premier".
So BA has still not sorted this out.