British Airways and American Airlines Chelsea Lounge - JFK Terminal 8
#1113
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Formerly known as attorney28
Programs: LH HON, BA GGL, Hyatt LT Glob, Marriott LT P, Hilton LT Dmd, IC Amb, GHA Tit, Sixt/Av/Hrtz Dmd/Pres
Posts: 6,697
Apologies, I made them run out of LGPS. Only LP Rosé left for now. Rona being a star, as always. AA agent didn't understand the access rules (arriving on transcon 3-class AA F as GGL), but was very friendly after I explained the rules and brought my guest in as well.
#1114
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 1,788
Apologies, I made them run out of LGPS. Only LP Rosé left for now. Rona being a star, as always. AA agent didn't understand the access rules (arriving on transcon 3-class AA F as GGL), but was very friendly after I explained the rules and brought my guest in as well.
I hope there aren’t any issues or confusion with arriving A321T in F. That’s going to be my way in. Actually I’m looking at LAX-BOS-JFK because it’s $1000 less. FFD was never an issue on that route nor should Chelsea be but who knows with these agents. Praying for LPGS or Krug. Maybe I’ll go on a Tuesday before it’s all had for the week but after em of weekend order arrives. Crazy they can’t keep it stocked properly.
#1116
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: LHR / LAS
Programs: BA GfL, GGL/CCR
Posts: 2,362
That is one good thing about the lounge. We've been there half a dozen times and it's always virtually empty. I'm not suprised though. Not only as are the access rules still unclear or not applied uniformly, it's evident based on this thread not many people like it.
I think it's ok though, mainly as it's quiet.
No speaker phone incident yet though....
I think it's ok though, mainly as it's quiet.
No speaker phone incident yet though....
#1117
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: BHX
Programs: BA GGL CCR GfL, Marriott Ti, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Cafe Nero Loyalty Card
Posts: 7,117
Yeah that was my take on it. It's perfectly fine as a waiting room but I absolutely would not take a later LHR connection to spend an extra hour in there like I may have done in the CCR.
#1118
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, SQ Gold
Posts: 3,967
Some slight redemption, the darker fabric seats that line the wall near the bar are VERY comfortable - and everyone appears to prefer the other seats, so it's very quiet here and I can get on with some work.
There have been some grumblings from people coming to the bar, the premium fizz options are Ruinart or LP Rose - no hidden stash
There have been some grumblings from people coming to the bar, the premium fizz options are Ruinart or LP Rose - no hidden stash
#1119
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 26,121
Was here on a Friday night about two weeks ago (probably arrived ~5pm), and the lounge was rather busy. There was a rowdy group of 6 in the dining room, a family of 4 showed up later (2 pre-teenish kids, all of course much quieter than the 6 rowdy adults) and lots of singles and couples. I thought the lounge was quite nice. I sat on a couch off to the side (where two couches face one another with a table in the middle). Was totally fine. Sure, too bad there wasn't a view outside (Soho lounge clearly wins for this but that was VERY busy), but otherwise many of the complaints seem overblown based on this visit. There was plenty of staff, they were all friendly (enough), I had no issues being served / refilled in my seating area off to the side. Food came out quickly (prawn cocktail and lamb - which was very very good), too quickly I suppose as I wasn't done with the starter when the main came. Bubbles was LPGS and LP Rose and a bunch of Moets that I couldn't be bothered with. I didn't see any (nor ask about) Ruinart.
Due to a BA cancellation (shock!), I rebooked on a nonstop on LX for my return from ZRH and got to spend lots of time in their F lounge(s). That was definitely a couple notches above (not to mention the overall ground service advantage), although the bubbly was nothing I've ever heard of (Bauget Jouette, brut and rose, looks priced in line with most basic NVs). But broader selection of stills (6 reds and whites). But LX would have cost > $2.5k more r/t when I booked.
Due to a BA cancellation (shock!), I rebooked on a nonstop on LX for my return from ZRH and got to spend lots of time in their F lounge(s). That was definitely a couple notches above (not to mention the overall ground service advantage), although the bubbly was nothing I've ever heard of (Bauget Jouette, brut and rose, looks priced in line with most basic NVs). But broader selection of stills (6 reds and whites). But LX would have cost > $2.5k more r/t when I booked.
#1120
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, LX Frequent Traveller, IHG Diamond Elite Ambassador, Hilton Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 15,795
#1121
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: Mucci, BAEC GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Stena Gold
Posts: 935
My first time here this evening
As Darthlemsip has stated, only Ruinart, or LPGS Rose ( I may have grumbled a little...)
Staff are very friendly and helpful, and one can order food at the bar, which I was not expecting.
As Darthlemsip has stated, only Ruinart, or LPGS Rose ( I may have grumbled a little...)
Staff are very friendly and helpful, and one can order food at the bar, which I was not expecting.
#1122
Join Date: Jul 2018
Programs: Mucci, BA, AA, UA, TK, World of Hyatt, Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, Untappd 8000+
Posts: 193
#1123
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: London
Programs: BAEC GGL, BA Amex PP
Posts: 1,049
I’ve been in twice over the last 2 days:
- nowhere near level of FFD or CCR
- never that busy
- agree with post above that nicest seats are those lining the wall near the bar
- the bartender on both my visits was out of his depth, basic knowledge of water glasses and the fact you need cutlery with your meal. Us too polite Brits (unlike the Americans) said on the hush they’d eaten their burger with a spoon to not make a fuss
- steak is actually very good
- don’t count on premium champagne - Moët or LP rose is the base case
- Rona (met her today) is a gem - love her!!
When my flight eventually got delayed I just went back but this time into Soho and felt cosy and content there
- nowhere near level of FFD or CCR
- never that busy
- agree with post above that nicest seats are those lining the wall near the bar
- the bartender on both my visits was out of his depth, basic knowledge of water glasses and the fact you need cutlery with your meal. Us too polite Brits (unlike the Americans) said on the hush they’d eaten their burger with a spoon to not make a fuss
- steak is actually very good
- don’t count on premium champagne - Moët or LP rose is the base case
- Rona (met her today) is a gem - love her!!
When my flight eventually got delayed I just went back but this time into Soho and felt cosy and content there
#1125
Join Date: Jun 2011
Programs: AA Exec Plat
Posts: 96
I’m Finnair OWE, flying from AA JFK-LAX on a separate ticket in economy, then my next ticket is Cathay flight from LAX -HKG in first.
I’m on the AA flight at 4pm, and my Cathay flight is technically next day at 00:30. I know I can get in to Soho, but will I be able to get into Chelsea if I’m on 2 different tickets?
I’m on the AA flight at 4pm, and my Cathay flight is technically next day at 00:30. I know I can get in to Soho, but will I be able to get into Chelsea if I’m on 2 different tickets?