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
Feb 23, 2023, 12:03 pm
#1006
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: AA EXP (owe), BA Silver (ows), AB Silver (owr), WN A+/CP, IHG Spire AMB, Avis First
Posts: 1,414
Yeah, ok I haven't been to FFD in DFW/MIA, just JFK and LAX (pre pandemic). JFK by far the worst, to the point I'd just skip FFD altogether.
Feb 23, 2023, 1:49 pm
#1007
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
LP Rosé would generally be considered a Rosé champagne, rather than in any way premium (whether vintage or just an LVMH’d premium brand).
Wasn’t it QR’s standard J Rosé champers for years?
Wasn’t it QR’s standard J Rosé champers for years?
Feb 23, 2023, 1:52 pm
#1008
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 737
In the US, the QF F lounge in LAX is much much better, with the exception of the champagne. I'd vote QF F as still the best lounge in the US, though admittedly I have not been there post-COVID. Shame, as Chelsea had a lot of potential. Probably could get there if they sent all their staff to Sofitel or wherever QF gets their staff.
Feb 23, 2023, 2:18 pm
#1009
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: AA EXP (owe), BA Silver (ows), AB Silver (owr), WN A+/CP, IHG Spire AMB, Avis First
Posts: 1,414
Feb 23, 2023, 2:22 pm
#1010
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: AA EXP (owe), BA Silver (ows), AB Silver (owr), WN A+/CP, IHG Spire AMB, Avis First
Posts: 1,414
Rosé champagne definitely can be premium (FWIW, the industry term is Luxury -- Premium, Super Premium etc refer to stuff you can buy at the supermarket for USD$20-30).
Last edited by no2chem; Feb 23, 2023 at 2:28 pm
Feb 23, 2023, 3:01 pm
#1011
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 737
Feb 23, 2023, 5:00 pm
#1012
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 2,722
I much prefer whatever FL serves when you walk in and they offer you champagne. I think its Piper Heidsick. I have no clue if that is considered on par, above or below Tattinger but for whatever reason I recall enjoying that much more before walking over to Bradley and having 3 diff types in QF F.
Feb 23, 2023, 5:28 pm
#1013
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,930
I was let down by all 3 I had recently in Qantas F. It was Mums, Moets & Tatting as I recall. I was surprised what is supposed to be the top lounge in the US (?) had nothing premium. Down under do the 2 F lounges have more premium champagne?
I much prefer whatever FL serves when you walk in and they offer you champagne. I think its Piper Heidsick. I have no clue if that is considered on par, above or below Tattinger but for whatever reason I recall enjoying that much more before walking over to Bradley and having 3 diff types in QF F.
I much prefer whatever FL serves when you walk in and they offer you champagne. I think its Piper Heidsick. I have no clue if that is considered on par, above or below Tattinger but for whatever reason I recall enjoying that much more before walking over to Bradley and having 3 diff types in QF F.
Feb 23, 2023, 7:55 pm
#1014
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,239
Honestly, they're all basic NV Champagnes at roughly similar price points (maybe Taittinger a few $ more), and while I like all three (and thus view the Mumm's Cordon Rouge and Piper as good values) they're not really First class quality bottles. Of course neither is Moet IMO (which, like many of the LVMH-owned houses, I don't particularly care for, for whatever reason). Really wish they could be more consistent at Chelsea. Going in a couple weeks, will keep my expectations low.
Feb 23, 2023, 8:51 pm
#1015
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: SYD, GOT
Programs: BA GGL; SK EBG; QF LTG; Hilton Diamond, A-Club Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 2,729
No - the same. The wine selection is also fairly meh unless there is one red that is the carafe then that one is usually a fairly decent around USD $50 red, otherwise it is USD $15-20 for the reds and whites. It is only that they usually have 3 whites, 1-2 rose and 3 reds to select from - so you can usually find one. The bar in SYD/MEL will not make anything that is not on the official and very limited list - you can ask for the ingredients as "shots" and then make your own (e.g. aperol spritz f.ex.) - I kid you not. (much to the embarrassment of the bar person who is not allowed to pour said ingredients in one glass).
Feb 23, 2023, 8:58 pm
#1016
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: AA EXP (owe), BA Silver (ows), AB Silver (owr), WN A+/CP, IHG Spire AMB, Avis First
Posts: 1,414
Well, the bartender tells me whatever "premium" champagne they have is truly random and they just pour whatever is delivered. Apparently over the last week it's varied from LPGS, Krug and the LP rosé. Over the time I was there they didn't seem stingy about it at all, often proactively offering the LP rosé. A number of people actually turned it down, wanting a "non-pink" drink and got the möet instead.
Feb 23, 2023, 9:17 pm
#1017
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NYC, FLL
Programs: UA PP 1MM, Marriott Bonvoy LTTE, BA Gold
Posts: 6,324
We should all apologize to the LHR CCR. We take it for granted, complain about the heat, the sit down menus, the cabanas - but at least they can make a reliably solid cocktail, and have free-flowing LPGS guaranteed. It certainly avoids this insane "do you have a premium champagne, sir?" guessing game/begging and pot luck. I'm an introvert, and this is not cool! 
Isn't running into LHR Galleries First and self-serving with food and liquor for 10 mins a more 'premium' experience than these JFK Chelsea reviews so far? Sounds like yes...
Isn't running into LHR Galleries First and self-serving with food and liquor for 10 mins a more 'premium' experience than these JFK Chelsea reviews so far? Sounds like yes...
Feb 23, 2023, 9:57 pm
#1018
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA ExecPlat; AF Gold; UA GS; Hyatt L. Globalist; Marriott Plat; Hilton Diamond; National EE
Posts: 6,167
We should all apologize to the LHR CCR. We take it for granted, complain about the heat, the sit down menus, the cabanas - but at least they can make a reliably solid cocktail, and have free-flowing LPGS guaranteed. It certainly avoids this insane "do you have a premium champagne, sir?" guessing game/begging and pot luck. I'm an introvert, and this is not cool!
Isn't running into LHR Galleries First and self-serving with food and liquor for 10 mins a more 'premium' experience than these JFK Chelsea reviews so far? Sounds like yes...
Isn't running into LHR Galleries First and self-serving with food and liquor for 10 mins a more 'premium' experience than these JFK Chelsea reviews so far? Sounds like yes...
Feb 23, 2023, 11:10 pm
#1019
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,903
This thread is way more active than the Soho thread.
So I’ll probably never make it as a GGL, are there “cheap” AA first-class flights from JFK that will give me a chance to check out this lounge for myself? As a OWE, I'm only able to check out Soho.
So I’ll probably never make it as a GGL, are there “cheap” AA first-class flights from JFK that will give me a chance to check out this lounge for myself? As a OWE, I'm only able to check out Soho.
Feb 23, 2023, 11:12 pm
#1020
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: SFO/SJC/OAK
Programs: OZ Diamond (*G), KQ Asante Gold (ST+), Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,511
JFK-SFO or JFK-LAX has tons of F award space that opens last minute (like within 3-7 days of departure). That'll get ya in.