First Glimpse: Delta Inaugurates its Exclusive Delta One Lounge in New York JFK
The brand-new Delta One Lounge is a unique haven for premium travelers, featuring a spacious layout that surpasses that of any Delta Sky Club
Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang
Delta Air Lines has finally unveiled the long-awaited Delta One Lounge in JFK Airport Terminal 4. The grand launch event on Tuesday, June 25, was the talk of the town in New York City, featuring a star-studded guest list, surprise appearances, delectable cuisine, and top-notch hospitality.
To generate excitement around this groundbreaking business class lounge, the SkyTeam alliance founding carrier went all out. They created elegant black lacquer boxes, each containing a metal key and an invitation card nestled in a luxurious red velvet envelope sealed with a wax stamp. I was fortunate enough to receive this exquisite gift, which sparked a huge buzz on social media.
Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang
To attend, guests had to reserve their spots online and provide photo IDs. Once confirmed, Delta even provided Lyft vouchers for convenient local transportation to JFK Airport.
Check-in Lounge
The exclusive Delta One lounge experience begins with a lavish welcome at the private check-in lounge, featuring its own separate entrance. Delta went all out to ensure an unforgettable start, with greeters and a live string quartet setting the tone for incoming guests. As you step inside, you’re be greeted by a red carpet, lush green plants, and a photo wall that beckons for memorable snapshots.
Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang
While awaiting check-in, attentive servers offer an array of pre-boarding beverages, including refreshing fruit-infused water, indulgent sparkling wine, invigorating espresso, and energizing smoothie shots. Once check-in is complete, guests are presented with beautifully crafted keepsake boarding passes and are personally escorted through a dedicated security screening area to enter the airside of the terminal.
Design
Upon entering the lounge, visitors are enveloped in an ambiance that exudes glamour, intrigue, elegance, and sophistication. The architectural details, such as warm metals, wooden textures, Art Deco lighting fixtures, fluted glass, and white marble, contribute to the overall appeal.
Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang
Throughout the space, curated artworks by renowned international artists are displayed, adding to the immersive experience.
Photo: Courtesy of Delta
The sit-down dining hall resembles a brasserie, complete with abundant botanical decorations and a thoughtfully crafted three-course menu.
Food & Drinks
Cocktails and wine flowed freely throughout the venue, accompanied by fancy hors d’oeuvres such as beef tartare, petit lobster rolls, and mini hot dogs topped with caviar on the enclosed sky deck.
In the center of the large club was a semi-open kitchen with glass-covered counters where chefs and cooks prepared Italian dishes like mini pizza bites and vegetarian lasagna squares.
Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang
The dessert bar featured a variety of sweet treats, including dark chocolate soufflés, Biscoff mousse, passion fruit cakes, and cheese plates.
Additionally, there was a raw bar serving freshly shucked oysters and clams, poached shrimp cocktail, fluke ceviche, and tuna tartare.
Wellness
The serenity section of the lounge was a haven of relaxation and luxury. It offers wellness rooms, massage chairs, spacious shower facilities, and a convenient shoeshine station. The welcoming attendants proudly presented the array of fantastic amenities and even handed out complimentary Grown Alchemist lotion.
Photo: Courtesy of Delta
Travelers also had the opportunity to register for complimentary 15-minute massages at the digital kiosks.
Additionally, the area features picturesque floral backdrops designed for travel influencers and jetsetters, along with a charming Polaroid photo booth.
Photo: Courtesy of Delta
While the dress code for this glamorous event was business casual, many guests opted to dress more elegantly for the occasion. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we all took the opportunity to dress up when traveling in the front of the plane?
Speeches & Performances
As the party entered its second hour, the staff guided the guests to gather around a stage arranged by the fireplace. To everyone’s surprise, Alex “A-Rod” Rodriguez, a prominent figure from the New York Yankees baseball team, kickstarted the proceedings and introduced Ed Bastian, the CEO of Delta.
Photo: Courtesy of Benjamin Chiang
The two influential personalities highlighted Delta’s commitment to delivering exceptional services and achieving top-level performance and emphasized the airline’s elevated brand perception among U.S. carriers.
Bastian was joined by selected management executives and Port Authority officials. Following the speeches, a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place, and the stage was then graced by Andra Day, a Grammy-nominated R&B artist, who performed three captivating songs, including her chart-topping anthem “Rise Up,” perfectly complementing Delta’s “Keep Climbing” tagline.
What’s Next
As the clock struck 7:30 pm, the lively reception slowly started to wind down as guests bid their farewells. Each departing guest received a thoughtful parting gift – a box of sumptuous chocolates and a polished metal key bearing the name of the lounge.
Photo: Courtesy of Delta
The following day marked the grand opening of the lounge, extending a warm welcome to travelers with intercontinental and transcontinental Delta One tickets, as well as business class passengers from Air France, KLM, Virgin Atlantic, and LATAM.
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Furthermore, Bastian shared the exciting news of two additional Delta One Lounges set to open soon: one in Los Angeles in October and another in Boston in November, with plans for Seattle on the horizon.
Anticipation is high for the unveiling of these new lounges, and I eagerly await the premium experiences they promise to offer to discerning travelers.
