American Express Opens New Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport
The much-anticipated new lounge shows a doubling of the former footprint and offers a convenient location for harried travelers
American Express is unveiling a new Centurion Lounge this week at New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA). The space essentially doubles the size of the former lounge location and brings locally-inspired amenities reflecting New York City’s rich culture. The gleaming new 10,000-square-foot pre-boarding relaxation space is in the airport’s brand new Terminal B, as a spacious and convenient segue after travelers pass through the security screening.
Top features include a study space designed in partnership with New York City independent bookstore McNally Jackson, custom design elements from New York-based designers, a menu curated by Wayan’s Cédric Vongerichten, locally inspired beverages, and more.
“We’ve collaborated closely with local partners and small businesses to create a space that embodies some of New York City’s most unique experiences,” said Pablo Rivero, Vice President, Loyalty Travel Experiences & Benefits. “With the reopening and expansion of our Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport, we are looking forward to having this lounge join the rest of our Centurion Network and provide eligible Card Members even more places to relax and unwind during their travels.”
Inspired by New York City, Centurion’s more noteworthy amenities include:
Global Entrées and Local Beverages
New York City chef Cédric Vongerichten will continue as the Executive Chef of the Lounge. Chef Vongerichten’s dishes are influenced by his celebrated modern Indonesian restaurant, Wayan, in New York City’s Nolita neighborhood and the vibrant culture of New York City. The menu will include signature Centurion Lounge favorites, such as Crispy French Toast with market strawberry jam and Fried Chicken with honey lemongrass glaze, and new dishes, including a refreshing Heirloom Tomato Salad with cilantro pesto and chili-lime vinaigrette, and Soup Jamur, an aromatic mushroom soup, with shiitake and oyster mushrooms, makrut lime and Thai basil. The chef also will be presenting several vegetarian and vegan options for the summer, such as Roasted Cauliflower served with red curry sauce, coconut and sunflower seeds and Eggplant Balado with chili tomato sauce, to provide a healthier variety for travelers.
Eligible Card Members will be able to enjoy a wide variety of locally sourced beverages, such as coffee from Brooklyn Roasting. Cocktail choices include alcohol-free mixed drinks and original cocktails such as the Lower East Cider and Grand Central Express. Wine selections will include a few from New York state wineries. Locally sourced beer from breweries such as Coney Island Brewery and Captain Lawrence Brewing Co will also be available in the Lounge.
Study, Browsing, Reading Space
American Express has partnered with a New York City independent bookstore, McNally Jackson, to design a unique study space. The Lounge’s collection of New York City inspired books was carefully curated by McNally Jackson Books to deliver a library-esque ambiance so that eligible Card Members can relax before their flight. The books are also available for purchase at McNally Jackson Books in Terminal B.
The new Lounge features design elements reflective of the city’s playful culture, such as arched shapes in the dining area referencing downtown architecture and local bridges, phone rooms with vibrant artistic murals and floor to ceiling windows.
“The American Express Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia’s Terminal B opening represents another addition to the world-class experience that will characterize the new LaGuardia Airport,” said Rick Cotton, Executive Director, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. “We are now in the final stages of the airport’s top-to-bottom rebuild, and we are pleased to welcome the newly rebuilt Centurion Lounge to the new 21st century LaGuardia.”
Lounging Toward the Future
American Express is working towards opening Centurion locations in London’s Heathrow Airport and Washington, D.C.’s Reagan National Airport and expanding its Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and San Francisco International Airport locations.
The lounges are a benefit of American Express Card Memberships and is available for Platinum Card and Centurion Members through American Express Travel. The Centurion Lounge is the signature lounge program within the broader American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes access to American Express Centurion Lounges, international American Express lounges, Delta Sky Club® for Card Members flying on Delta, Priority PassTM Select Lounges upon enrollment, Airspace Lounges, MAG U.S. Escape Lounges and Plaza Premium Lounges — a total of more than 1,300 lounges across 140 countries so far.
Eligible Card Members can find a lounge at the Global Lounge Collection website or by using the American Express® App. They can check into select Centurion Lounges through the app’s mobile check-in tool.
