I would be surprised if this eliminated crowding in any of the lounges. There is just such a huge volume of D1+ partner biz in such a relatively short window of time at JFK that I think in the evenings the SkyClubs and this lounge will be packed. The only change I really see is somewhat of a reduction in lines at the SkyClub, however, as the push the plastic harder and harder those may well return.

I think LAX may have a more premium feel as many of the D1 flights are spread more throughout the day, we'll see though.

The $ wine list reads like a upper-mid chain steak house. Most of it looks to be about 2x retail (AZ prices, no idea what NY retail prices are like). There's nothing unique or premium about the offering for the most part, its all pretty good wines from larger producers, with some trendy/popular picks mixed in.

Perfect.
I really appreciate you asking that today.
My wife was stressing but she stresses about TSA and other airport shenanigan's but thats awesome to know!

Opening pictures at the event look nice, along with food and bev... although I agree it is kind of cheap feeling to have a paid liquor and wine list.. and not sure how 'preferential' I'd consider those prices.

Am curious what all the house/well complimentary liquors are. The house wine seem decent, especially the Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley Oregon.

Assuming the majority of AF and KE passengers are not going to make the trek over to T4, from a departures standpoint we�re looking at:
- LA: 10x weekly Lima, daily SCL, daily GRU
- KL: 2x daily AMS

And the one with a significant number of flights (but also their own lounge):
- VS: up to 7x daily LHR

I will say one area that left me not as impressed was the Delta One Check-In Space. For the most part it feels like the former space with new displays behind the desks, a drink station, a wall, and a fresh coat of paint. I understand the opportunity for creativity is limited here as they couldn�t do completely new construction like LAX, but it doesn�t seem to match the premium finishes of the lounge.

Yes, from the pics it didn�t look anything like LAX which is a more intimate space that reminds me of a hotel lobby� but I also realize that with the sheer volume of D1 passengers out of JFK, it probably wasn�t possible to do something like LAX

I thought the same thing when I saw your photo, in fact I thought it was perhaps temporary/old/under construction (I don't pass through JFK much).

Do you think that area is complete yet? Maybe, they are still doing renovations there? The whole thing (security included) seems to be opening in "Fall 2024."

Also, did you have to clear security to enter the lounge today? Or did they just block off the lounge from the rest of the secure area?

It would kind of cool if it had an entrance straight from drop-off and the check-in area's top was covered. You wouldn't even feel like you are inside an airport until you leave the lounge (if you did this EK style in a hypothetically new terminal you could even make it feel that way until boarding if you had boarding straight from the lounge).

Unless I missed it, but why are there no daybeds?

"Finally, the indoor terrace allows travelers to relax in a space inspired by nature. The space has plenty of greenery and a retractable roof, making it available every day of the year." This would have made more sense in ATL vs their completely open design where people will pass out in the 95F+ heat on days like today...

It doesn�t feel complete, but I was also benchmarking it against the LA Delta One Check-In. I do hope they improve it more.

I did have to clear security to get through. Guests were issued a gate pass on the same style of paper of a boarding pass and then escorted through the CLEAR reserve lane.

Have been a part of a few similar events over the years--at ATL and ORD--and this is how it was done. I know a little bit more about how the process works and why but given this is a public forum I'm intentionally being a little bit vague.

What they could have done is not integrated the Delta One check-in with partners (make check-in Delta Only and have other airlines check-in at their own counters). Partners can still access the lounge but they are not fed directly. Would significantly decrease lounge loads, especially the 8x daily VS pax that is fed straight into the lounge when they have their own.

but then that sort of defeats the purpose of a JV.

Delta is looking at the people on those 8x VS flights as their own customers, especially the people buying business.

And this is why you only see Joint Venture airlines being allowed to send customers to the D1 lounges. I am mildly surprised they aren't doing Delta ownership as well such as MU and AM.

My one remaining question is: Will the Delta One check-in area have an exception to the 6-hour bag drop rule at JFK? If you're traveling with checked baggage, my best guess is you likely couldn't get to the airport any earlier than the 6 hour baggage drop time. If you only have carryons it seems like one could, in theory, spend as much time as they wanted in the D1 Lounge on the day of departure. Would that be a correct interpretation of the two scenarios?