First Look: Testing The Brand-New Capital One Lounge at JFK

Capital One has opened its flagship lounge in New York with expansive airfield views and a Big Apple-inspired menu. Its largest lounge is its first in the New York area.

Location

The Capital One Lounge at John F. Kennedy International Airport is located on Level 3 in the Retail Hall of Terminal 4’s central corridor connecting the A and B gates.

The lounge is open 24 hours daily and convenient for travelers headed to Terminal 4’s Concourse B, which houses Delta and other SkyTeam airlines. Travelers flying out of Concourse A, which handles international flights, may also access the lounge.

Access Options

Venture X and Venture X Business primary cardholders may bring two guests free of charge. Cardholders will be charged $45 per additional guest ($25 for children aged two through 17).

Photo: Courtesy of Capital One JFK Lounge

Venture and Spark Miles cardholders may access the lounge for $45 per visit. (Note that entry requirements change next year. Starting in February, cardholders will have to pay $125 to grant lounge access to authorized users and spend $75,000 annually to bring guests.)

Travelers without an eligible Venture X, Venture X Business, Venture, or Spark Miles card may access the lounge and must pay $90 to visit the lounge.

The Lounge

The 13,500-square-foot lounge is the largest of any Capital One Lounge and features the most expansive tarmac views. The JFK location takes culinary and design inspiration from New York City’s landmarks. With a seating capacity 215, the space features a New York-style bodega, bar, and cheesemonger.

Photo: Bodega. Courtesy of Capital One JFK Lounge

Unlike other Capital One Lounges, the décor features brass fixtures, textured upholstery, and darker wood tones specially chosen for the New York market. Capital One curated more than 40 original works by New York-based artists displayed throughout.

Photo: Courtesy of Capital One JFK Lounge

A hanging glass sculpture by Brooklyn-based Shakuff Custom Lighting serves as the central focal point for the lounge.

Food and Beverage

Capital One Lounge at JFK takes its cues from New York’s culinary traditions, including a bodega-style espresso bar with hand-rolled bagels from Ess-a-Bagel, where travelers can choose among New York classics such as spicy egg and cheese, pastrami and Swiss, and smoked salmon.

Photo: Courtesy of Capital One JFK Lounge

The menu also features espresso from Bean & Bean Coffee Roasters and La Colombe cold brew. Don’t sleep on the butterscotch blondie.

Grab-and-go snacks are available for travelers in a hurry. Hot items are prepared to order via QR code and delivered directly to each table.

Capital One Lounge JFK

Current highlights include wild arugula panzanella salad with a red wine vinaigrette and braised Berkshire pork shank with pea risotto and crispy parmesan.

Capital One also partnered with the Manhattan-based Murray’s Cheese to deliver an interactive cheesemonger experience that invites guests to enjoy curated cheese and charcuterie tastings on a first come, first served basis.

Photo: Courtesy of Capital One JFK Lounge / Bryan Bedder / Getty Images

The lounge’s full-service bar features locally inspired craft cocktails such as the Jetliner with strawberry rhubarb gin, maraschino liquor, and crème de violette.

Photo: Courtesy of Capital One JFK Lounge / Bryan Bedder / Getty Images

The menu also boasts a rotating selection of local beers, such as the Skyscraper IPA, a JFK lounge exclusive from Williamsburg-based Grimm Artisanal Ales.

Photo: Courtesy of Capital One JFK Lounge

A Rare Bottle Club menu showcases unique pours from Capital Lounge spirit partners, local distilleries, and producers worldwide.

Amenities

Guests can reserve one of two private rooms or take a shower in a luxury suite outfitted with hotel-style touches like Dyson hair dryers and plush towels. High-speed Wi-Fi makes it easy to work, livestream a meeting or stay entertained.

Photo: Courtesy of Capital One JFK Lounge

In addition to Capital One’s traditional menu offerings, the Capital One Lounge at JFK will feature roaming trolley carts to deliver tableside offerings throughout the day, starting with Italian-style shaken iced coffee and followed by afternoon tea service, a sunset Champagne toast and a “Midnight Snack” served around 12:30 a.m.

Verdict

As the largest lounge in its network and the only one operating 24/7, Capital One’s flagship lounge is a benefit for cardholders flying out of New York.