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
Jan 17, 2023, 10:09 am
#721
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,720
That, and I bet the accountant who looks after BA’s capital spend is a lot more chilled out than the homicidal maniac who is controlling OpEx.
Jan 17, 2023, 10:47 am
#722
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: IND/MEX
Programs: AA PPro BA Bronze SPG Gold HH GLD Hyatt Exp
Posts: 1,134
Jan 17, 2023, 11:21 am
#723
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: TK*G (E+), IHG Plat Ambassador
Posts: 7,884
OT - for what it is worth ORD Polaris Lounge shall be enlarged fairly significantly soon. Phase 1 - relocation of United Club to make room for the enlargement PL is done.
Jan 18, 2023, 12:41 am
#724
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 2,722
As someone who read all your posts ( or at least most of your posts ) post-COVID regarding AA Flagship Lounge's, Flagship First Dining facilities; someone who is very picky about small details such as the temperature of the food, the service time, the temperature of the shower water, etc... I would say that in the USA; there isn't any lounge facility where everything is perfect. If I look at your level of approach, the Qantas First Lounge at LAX would have serious problems because no one came to refill my water for 30 minutes on one occasion.
Post-COVID the service levels in the USA and the expectations are much lower than what it used to be. That is why Chelsea is even a downgrade compared to the old Flagship First Dining which had at least a decent level of meals including a proper menu. However, if you do fly from Chelsea, I am really looking forward hearing your opinion.
By the way, it's true that it's Sodexo who still runs the new lounges, and the customer facing FFD staff is at Chelsea which are joined by some of the BA Terminal 7 Concorde Room staff.
Post-COVID the service levels in the USA and the expectations are much lower than what it used to be. That is why Chelsea is even a downgrade compared to the old Flagship First Dining which had at least a decent level of meals including a proper menu. However, if you do fly from Chelsea, I am really looking forward hearing your opinion.
By the way, it's true that it's Sodexo who still runs the new lounges, and the customer facing FFD staff is at Chelsea which are joined by some of the BA Terminal 7 Concorde Room staff.
I didnt even think to ask about the water temp at Chelsea, I am assuming its going to be the same ridiculousness of how Flagship was. I mean there is nothing wrong with their plumbing, they just choose to set the max temp at an absolute joke of a temp. That is not a hot shower on any level. AT LHR both Concorde was super hot and UA arrivals lounge I loved. And AA FL at LAX if you go all the way to hot does get hot. Not FL at DFW, JFK or MIA though.
Hoping to be at Chelsea next week and going to go in with an open mind but if the menu says Krug & LPGS and they dont have both its not exactly going to start well
Jan 18, 2023, 5:30 am
#725
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Dubai, UAE
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 15
BA agent and GGL phone agent claiming access limited to First long-haul on BA/AA
At JFK presently, flying domestic First on AA (JFK-BOS).
Came to the front desk in the common Chelsea/Soho area. BA front desk agent did not seem to be aware of what Gold Guest List status is. Kept telling his AA colleague I am Gold/Emerald. I kept repeating, “Yes, but I’m Gold Guest List.”
The BA agent said that I would need to be flying First class international on BA or AA for access to Chelsea. The AA agent said, “No, he can access Chelsea on any class of service but must fly BA metal.” I was directed to Soho, which is perfectly fine. The AA agent was very apologetic and said there had been a great deal of confusion about this over the past few weeks.
I called the GGL line once I got to Soho and, after consulting his team, the phone agent said that access to Chelsea is only for those flying First class international long-haul on AA or BA, and that GGL status has no bearing on access.
Came to the front desk in the common Chelsea/Soho area. BA front desk agent did not seem to be aware of what Gold Guest List status is. Kept telling his AA colleague I am Gold/Emerald. I kept repeating, “Yes, but I’m Gold Guest List.”
The BA agent said that I would need to be flying First class international on BA or AA for access to Chelsea. The AA agent said, “No, he can access Chelsea on any class of service but must fly BA metal.” I was directed to Soho, which is perfectly fine. The AA agent was very apologetic and said there had been a great deal of confusion about this over the past few weeks.
I called the GGL line once I got to Soho and, after consulting his team, the phone agent said that access to Chelsea is only for those flying First class international long-haul on AA or BA, and that GGL status has no bearing on access.
Jan 18, 2023, 6:05 am
#726
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,997
I called the GGL line once I got to Soho and, after consulting his team, the phone agent said that access to Chelsea is only for those flying First class international long-haul on AA or BA, and that GGL status has no bearing on access.
is this farce ever going to end?
Jan 18, 2023, 6:28 am
#727
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: 4,470
As I say, if they genuinely wanted to sort it out it could be as simple as an email to all Chelsea lounge staff or even just the lounge manager.
The original intention is pretty clear to me:
The original intention is pretty clear to me:
Jan 18, 2023, 6:34 am
#728
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Scotland & London
Programs: BA GGL, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Mucci des Salons Ouvrants
Posts: 3,036
At JFK presently, flying domestic First on AA (JFK-BOS).
I called the GGL line once I got to Soho and, after consulting his team, the phone agent said that access to Chelsea is only for those flying First class international long-haul on AA or BA, and that GGL status has no bearing on access.
I called the GGL line once I got to Soho and, after consulting his team, the phone agent said that access to Chelsea is only for those flying First class international long-haul on AA or BA, and that GGL status has no bearing on access.
Regards
aks120
Last edited by aks120; Jan 18, 2023 at 6:38 am Reason: Adding website picture.... again!
Jan 18, 2023, 6:35 am
#729
Join Date: Jul 2015
Programs: UA Platinum, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 873
Shoot I was hoping for some new faces and maybe some people who actually know some things about food. Still though it comes down to who is cooking and quality of what they are working with.
I didnt even think to ask about the water temp at Chelsea, I am assuming its going to be the same ridiculousness of how Flagship was. I mean there is nothing wrong with their plumbing, they just choose to set the max temp at an absolute joke of a temp. That is not a hot shower on any level. AT LHR both Concorde was super hot and UA arrivals lounge I loved. And AA FL at LAX if you go all the way to hot does get hot. Not FL at DFW, JFK or MIA though.
Hoping to be at Chelsea next week and going to go in with an open mind but if the menu says Krug & LPGS and they dont have both its not exactly going to start well
I didnt even think to ask about the water temp at Chelsea, I am assuming its going to be the same ridiculousness of how Flagship was. I mean there is nothing wrong with their plumbing, they just choose to set the max temp at an absolute joke of a temp. That is not a hot shower on any level. AT LHR both Concorde was super hot and UA arrivals lounge I loved. And AA FL at LAX if you go all the way to hot does get hot. Not FL at DFW, JFK or MIA though.
Hoping to be at Chelsea next week and going to go in with an open mind but if the menu says Krug & LPGS and they dont have both its not exactly going to start well
Jan 18, 2023, 6:44 am
#730
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Dubai, UAE
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 15
Yes, I did mention what the BA website states on this matter, but only to the GGL line agent. He began to read what the Oneworld website says about access to the Chelsea lounge (passengers must fly First on BA or AA long-haul). I replied that that is not what the BA website stated when I log on as a GGL member. He then said that the website had not yet been updated, something about technical challenges, etc. After this he went to double check with his team and reverted with the claim that GGL does not grant access; must fly in First with BA or AA long-haul international. That’s news to me… and certainly a change from CCR access no matter the class of service.
Jan 18, 2023, 8:18 am
#732
Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 48
Apologies in advance. Wrong lounge, in fact way down the pecking order in terms of lounges, but what is the food like in Greenwhich? Good enough to have a pre-flight evening meal?
Also, is there a priority check-in desk at JFK T8 for BA Silver (Saphire I think)?
Also, is there a priority check-in desk at JFK T8 for BA Silver (Saphire I think)?
Last edited by cagiva92; Jan 18, 2023 at 8:19 am Reason: Typo
Jan 18, 2023, 8:36 am
#734
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,930
Jan 18, 2023, 8:40 am
#735
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: BAEC Silver, IHG Diamond
Posts: 7,780
Does vary in there though, so sometimes you get decent meat and veg, other times less.
Plenty of champagne still.