JFK Terraces/F or AA Flagship Lounge?
 

OK, I have read a number of threads on both of these JFK lounges; but despite that it is not clear as to which one is preferable and FTers' opinions are welcome.

In my particular case I am traveling F on QF 108 to SYD, and arriving on a domestic AA flight so can easily access the Flagship Lounge in Terminal 8 and the Terraces/F lounge in Terminal 7. I have a 5.5 hour layover which is intentional since I am flying the day before Thanksgiving (call me crazy). I do NOT drink alcohol, so the lounges' alcohol offerings do not matter to me. I do prefer sparkling water and decent lounge food is important along with lounge comfort. I do want to visit both lounges, but since I will be arriving in Terminal 8, once I leave there for terminal 7, I don't really want to return. My inclination is to hang out in the AA Flagship most of the afternoon and then head to Terminal 7 Terraces lounge about 1.5-2 hours before my SYD flight.

With that said, can some of you please provide recommendations. TIA

I haven't been to the terraces, but the flagship lounge is very nice. IMO, much nicer than Chicago and about on par with Los Angeles.

I am almost positive that as an F pax on the QF 108, you will be able to use the Concorde Room at Terminal 7.

If I am right, I would reccomend spending the majority of your time in that lounge.

I've only been to the Flagship Lounge there, and have found the food and dessert offerings pretty decent on several visits. I'm a big fan of their chocolate chip cookies. Photos HERE.

Maybe someone else can link some photos of the BA Lounge for comparison.

I thought that the Concorde Room at JFK was only for BA passengers. The old Concorde Room in LHR T4 used to allow QF passengers due to the Joint Sharing Agreement

The 1st class section of the Terraces would definitely be available

Dave

That's certainly the case for CX and IB pax, but I am pretty sure I remember reading here that QF F pax were treated differently. I wouldn't bet $ on it, but I'm pretty sure.

That was the general consensus from the threads I read before posting this question, and why I didn't mention the Concorde Room. However, in hindsight I probably should have mentioned that in my OP. Tom911, thanks again for the pics (saw them from a link in a previous post). Also thanks to everyone for their input. I think I will go with my plan unless I read other posts to the contrary. My problem when searching earlier is that I found many good reviews of both lounges, but no comparisons of the two. After my visit there at the end of this month I will add a comparison to this thread for others benefit in the future. I will also try to take a look at the alcohol offering, so I can provide a comparison between the two in that regard.

The general feeling ascertained form previous posts about the BA F Lounge is that it is an afterthought since BA customers can use the CCR, and it is provided mainly for OW Emeralds and CX/QF F customers. It was mentioned that the BA Terraces Lounge is actually better than the BA F Lounge.

Thanks again.

I'm envious. Safe travels. :)

I would do (and have done) as you plan.

i.e. Spend 3½ hours in the T8 F/L before heading ove to T7 2 hours before your flight. (Note boarding will commence 30 - 40 minutes before the scheduled flight time).

Food wise, the catering is much better in the T8 F/L. (As posted it's unlikely you will have any access to the T7 Concorde Lounge.)

Thanks serfty. That is exactly the type of info I was looking for.

Alien, thanks! Hopefully, this is the first of many larger adventures as I begin early semi-retirement.

Having done both lounges, I would agree with this plan completely. FWIW, I think the AA FL is much better to spend that much time in. The T7-F lounge is quieter but smaller with a poorer food selection. "Intimate" is a word that comes to mind when describing it. The T8 FL has some TVs if you are so inclined as well.

Well, I just arrived in Sydney and checked out the JFK FL, BA 1st and BA Terraces yesterday. FL wins hands down. They have air conditioning and they weren't crowded. The BA 1st lounge was well over 80 degrees and packed. The Terraces was better, especially the area on the right directly after reception, but it was still quite warm. Food was better att eh FL too, and the liquor, beer and wine actually looked about the same at all of them, but I don't drink so others could probably provide a better perspective.

I have been on both CX and QF F flights out of JFK. Neither one is allowed access to the Concorde room. This was also true of LA when they used the BA terminal a few years ago.

Yes, the food in the F/L is better than in the room of the BA F Terraces. But maybe I am missing something. There is an entire restaurant with a much wider and much better food selection than any AA lounge over at the BIZ side of the BA lounge. I had dinner there many times but this was a few years back.

I believe this restaurant is actually the venue for BA's pre-flight dining/supper and is supposed to be only for BA PAX travelling on the Atlantic red-eyes.