BigRedBears

What is the best lounge in JFK T1: Air France, Alitalia, or Korean?

I will be flying Alitalia in J and have Delta GM, so should be able to access any of those lounges. I will have 2 travel companions, who do not have any SkyTeam status.

Thanks

MSPeconomist

Inconclusive unless you can be more specific about what you want. An advantage of Alitalia would be that you wouldn't miss any announcements about your flight and would be there if IROPs are announced. Personally I tend to prefer the style of AF F&B, but YMMV.

Note that KE belongs to Priority Pass.

Note also that Oasis is land side in T4 and wonderful.

NYBanker

All three lounges are fairly tired. I like AF's F+B offerings the best. I don't think any carrier has put much capex into any of their T1 lounges since they opened.

In general, I'd go with my carrier's lounge at T1, for the reasons MSPE cited.

upgradeluvr

Last Summer, I flew JFK-CDG on AF. I purposely gave myself a three hour connection at JFK as to check out the three SkyTeam lounges (AF, AZ and KE) in T1. Being a DL GM (STE+), I assumed I was entitled to entry in all three lounges, here's what I experienced:

AZ lounge was closed (surprise)....

KE lounge attendant took one look at my boarding pass and denied my entrance since I was flying AF. The dragon informed me that only KE passengers may enter and use their facilities. Is this common practice? According the the SkyTeam website, all Elite + members are allowed to use ALL ST lounges....

AF lounge was great! A little crowded, afterall, it was filled with A380 passengers, hence the volume of people. The food and beverage options are quite good and after securing a seat, I enjoyed myself. I did not venture to the 2nd level (upstairs). Good atmosphere, lots periodicals, so I was happy.

Anyone else have better luck with the KE lounge dragons? Is that a legit policy to deny non-KE passengers access to their lounge?

MSPeconomist

About a year ago, I got into the KE lounge at NRT before a DL flight, although I didn't stay long. They reminded me that there were DL lounges closer to my gate, but I got in as a DM/ SC member traveling DL TPAC in BE. I don't remember them taking a photocopy of my boarding pass or card as the AF lounge at NRT does.

bfxfd

I spent time in all of them in Dec. Heres my breakdown


AF- the best real food selection- sandwiches and the like
AZ- nice drink and snack selection
KE- Not worth a visit. Minimal food and beverage
Oasis- The best of AF and AZ nice food real and snack as well as good beer and liquor selection.

MSPeconomist

Note that Oasis is in T4, land side.

There are also SkyTeam lounges (plural) in T2/3, DL SCs, but these are clearly inferior to Oasis. If flying DL from T2/3, I try the lounge closest to my gate; if it's impossibly crowded, I investigate other SCs if I have time before departure. Note that they do not all keep the same opening hours.

eyestrain

Out of the three in T1, I prefer the AF lounge; decent food, drinks, etc. And yes, it can definitely get crowded.

I have also experienced issues with KE lounge gatekeepers at T1. They don't seem to understand SkyTeam partner agreements or choose not to understand them. Either way, the lounge is a decent alternative if AF is too crowded.