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 21, 2023, 4:34 pm
#767
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: AA 1MM EXP, DL Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Ambassador (RIP SPG), Aeroplan 75K
Posts: 1,152
FFD used to get quite loud, but it was not designed as a lounge; rather as a dining room with a ton of hard surfaces.
Jan 21, 2023, 9:01 pm
#768
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: IND/NYC/MEX
Programs: AA PPro BA Bronze SPG Gold HH GLD Hyatt Exp
Posts: 1,134
The stash comment is definitely accurate. I was offered it because I was a familiar face, provided that I was fine with waiting for it to cool down (which I was). Others were provided the LP Rose manager special from what I could tell.
The food delays were on full display tonight. Luckily someone didn’t want their impossible burger with cheese or left so mine came out about three minutes after ordering it.
The food delays were on full display tonight. Luckily someone didn’t want their impossible burger with cheese or left so mine came out about three minutes after ordering it.
The optimist in me prays that BA and AA read this thread from open to close to see how much of a bait and switch the lounge has become. The realist in me thinks they do, crack a smile, and give themselves a pat on the back. Getting rid of first is a self fulfilling prophecy.
Jan 21, 2023, 10:20 pm
#769
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: BA GGL, GfL, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist, AllAccor Diamond, Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 1,042
Good point on the privacy front. The only area where you have semi-cordoned off space is the alcove to the left of the snacks / water dispenser along the far wall, and potentially in the two corners of chairs behind the bar. That said, there was a family in that alcove I mentioned last night and I could hear their entire conversion from the far row of chairs. Perhaps they need to put in some sound dampening materials.
FFD used to get quite loud, but it was not designed as a lounge; rather as a dining room with a ton of hard surfaces.
FFD used to get quite loud, but it was not designed as a lounge; rather as a dining room with a ton of hard surfaces.
I’m afraid they are going to have to bite the bullet and close it. Use the Greenwich to temporarily host Emeralds (I think there is some more space that can be used there) and use the Soho for First, CK and GGL. Then get down to a proper re-modelling of the entire space.
Jan 22, 2023, 3:41 pm
#772
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 2,692
Is that a mistake by AA to put the LPGS in the freezer or thats how champagne is handled but they just kept it in too long? Food I know a lot about but total novice with champagne, actually learned quite a bit from this site on the FFD thread.
Still so bummed on my last 2 FFD visits, both just before the switch over, they had No LPGS.
Still so bummed on my last 2 FFD visits, both just before the switch over, they had No LPGS.
Jan 22, 2023, 5:57 pm
#774
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
Posts: 30,516
Jan 22, 2023, 6:27 pm
#775
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: LDN / NY
Programs: BA GGL, Marriott Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 537
The reason they have it in the freezer often is because they have limited fridge space in the incredible marble and glass bar and it goes too quickly to chill it via the fridge. Even with that in mind it’s often too warm after only having 5 mins in the freezer. In the above case, it sounds like it was obviously forgotten due to the overworking and mismanagement of the floor team. They’re fortunate it didn’t explode.
The best advice if you plan on drinking a few glasses is to ask them to put the next one in the freezer/fridge as you’re ‘thirsty’.
The best advice if you plan on drinking a few glasses is to ask them to put the next one in the freezer/fridge as you’re ‘thirsty’.
Jan 22, 2023, 7:44 pm
#777
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: BA GGL, GfL, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist, AllAccor Diamond, Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 1,042
I agree entirely with your sentiments although maybe we should all wonder why idiots who built a first class lounge with no consideration of privacy, natural light or acoustics would somehow have the wit to think that the champagne might need chilling.
Jan 23, 2023, 1:46 am
#778
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Europe
Posts: 162
Presumably when AA stop doing International First the Chelsea lounge will effectively be a BA lounge with a smattering of CK holders? If so for complaints wouldn't it be more prudent to address them primarily to BA higher ups, say in CCR so they can sort them going forward?
Jan 23, 2023, 2:46 am
#779
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, SQ Gold, KQ Platinum, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Gold, Marriott Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,348
Presumably when AA stop doing International First the Chelsea lounge will effectively be a BA lounge with a smattering of CK holders? If so for complaints wouldn't it be more prudent to address them primarily to BA higher ups, say in CCR so they can sort them going forward?
Jan 23, 2023, 5:23 am
#780
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: BA GGL, GfL, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist, AllAccor Diamond, Marriott Ambassador Elite
Posts: 1,042
Presumably when AA stop doing International First the Chelsea lounge will effectively be a BA lounge with a smattering of CK holders? If so for complaints wouldn't it be more prudent to address them primarily to BA higher ups, say in CCR so they can sort them going forward?