bgriff

It is likely to be busy. In terms of timing:
Security -- Precheck is usually 5-15 minutes; not sure about non-Precheck Sky Priority
Walk to lounge -- 5-10 minutes
Wait to get into lounge in D1 priority line (you'll want the line that is past the Sky Club entrance as you are walking up to it, not the line that you encounter first) -- probably 5-15 minutes

richarddd

JFK's web site was listing T4 precheck at 20-25 minutes around 4:00-5:00 today. With luck that was an anomaly or inaccurate.

15 minutes would be annoying for the Sky Club line.

I guess aim to arrive at JFK by 4:30, given it can take up to 45 minutes worst case from drop-off to lounge?

Are they at least serving decent food these days?

richarddd

There's a Priority Pass lounge at T4 gate A2. How does that compare to the Sky Club?

bgriff

I haven't been, but I can't imagine it's worthwhile if you have access to the Sky Club. It's much smaller and likely still overcrowded given how many people have PP access (and there may be some other airlines that send their business class passengers there as well), and I doubt it has anywhere near the quality of the food at the Sky Club, which is pretty decent nowadays.

There is also a temporary Sky Club Express which is likely less crowded but with a more limited food selection, things like packaged salads and sandwiches. And if you have an Amex Platinum there is the Centurion Lounge, which again will be crowded and may have a wait to get in around that time of day but with decent food. Centurion is right after security, so easier to stop and check the situation there first before going to the Sky Club.

CptnInc

I've actually been mulling over canceling the Amex. It is a huge fee to pay just for highly restricted access to overcrowded lounges with bad food that gets worse with every penny-pinching refresh. I think I'd rather just hang out at a restaurant in the terminal.

ijgordon

There are usually lines to get into the restaurants as well.

Adelphos

Maybe I go at the right times, but my experience with lines at all of the JFK lounges has been a lot better than what has been posted. My longest wait for either the SkyClub or Centurion Lounge was 5 minutes, and this was before I was a Diamond. Other times, I have been able to walk in. Not he lounge may be crowded when I arrive, but the issue with lines and crowding tend to be overplayed IMO. I see much worse crowding in ATL.

nycityny

Same for me. I usually use the Centurion Lounge at JFK but have never waited in a line there or at the Delta SkyClub at that airport. JFK is my home airport and I fly out every 1-2 months.

richarddd

What times are you going? Peak times seem to be around 4-6pm or thereabouts.

nycityny

I usually go earlier than peak times. But this Friday I have a 7:30pm flight so will try the lounges later than usual. I don't know what I'll find...

Adelphos

Data point - I arrived at the curb of Terminal 4 this AM at 7:51. I was sat at the SkyClub bar about 13 minutes later with a nice egg frittata, potatoes and fruit (I wanted the pork sausage and chocolate croissant, but I passed). Five minutes in TSA, about an eight minute walk to the club, no line.

ND76

A cheeseburger, fries and one tall draft beer set me back $37.00 (after the tip); and that was in CLE. Think about what it costs in JFK. Actually, I do know. A 12 oz. bottle of Michelob Ultra went for $13 at a bar in T2 (RIP) where I went after the SC closed (our flight to DCA ended up not leaving until abut 2 am). If you enjoy adult beverages between flights, the club is actually a good deal.

bgriff

Not to mention that in my experience the quality of food at a lot of airport restaurants is pretty meh, while the quality of Sky Club food these days is actually pretty good. If you are looking for something healthy-ish, I think you can honestly get a better meal at the club than you can at any terminal restaurant these days.

That said if you specifically want a cheeseburger, fries and a beer at JFK T4, Shake Shack is a decent quality option that will not cost you $37, though it will be in the $25 neighborhood.

richarddd

Arrived JFK at 4. Through precheck in about 5 minutes (JFK website said 20). No real wait at sky club for D1. It is rather crowded.

EDIT: When we left, a bit after 5, there was no D1 line and a growing but not terrible looking other line.

bgriff

Saw a sign kind of stashed in the corner of the T4 A gates saying that certain groups can use the Virgin Clubhouse 8:30am-1:30pm until the A Sky Club opens, which is nice for location convenience if departing from the A gates, though the B club is not usually crowded during those hours. IIRC the groups were D1 passengers, Reserve card holders and Sky Club members.

Notably, Amex Platinum cardholders were not listed, although the Clubhouse now operates as a Priority Pass lounge during those hours so Amex Platinum cardholders could enter via that channel. (Latest rundown on the updated JFK Clubhouse access rules can be found in this review: https://onemileatatime.com/reviews/v...-new-york-jfk/)

I assume, like when the LAX Clubhouse used to do PP at certain times of day, the service is radically reduced during PP hours, so it may not really be worth much. Assuming that's the deal, I would probably choose the Centurion lounge first if I was departing from the A gates and had access to both.