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American Express has announced that it plans to open a new Centurion Lounge at New York JFK’s Terminal 4 in “early 2019”. According to Amex the lounge will have “spectacular airfield views and exceptional amenities” and will be the largest Centurion Lounge in the network.
The new Centurion Lounge is set to include “special new features” which will not be revealed until closer to the lounge’s opening but this is what we’ve been told to expect so far:
- Spectacular views
- Exceptional amenities
- One-of-a-kind design elements
- 15,000 square feet of space over 2 levels
- Complimentary custom bar and food menu
- Premium restrooms and shower suites
- Access to high-speed wi-fi
- “Noise-buffering workspaces” (I have no idea what these are!)
The new lounge will be located after security on the 4th floor departures level of JFK Terminal 4.
Josh McKay, vice president and general manager, Global Benefits and Services, American Express had this to say:
We’re excited to bring the Centurion Lounge to JFK, one of the top airports that our Platinum Card Members travel through each year
We aim to elevate our Card Members’ travel experiences and our industry-leading lounge program is one of our Card Members’ favorite ways we do this. We look forward to continuing to expand this offering with the Centurion Lounge in JFK and more lounges to come.
JFK Terminal 4
A significant number of airlines use JFK T4 with the largest being Delta. Other airlines of note include Avianca, ELAL, Etihad, Emirates, jetBlue, KLM, Singapore Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic (link to full list of airlines operating out of JFK T4)
This is a terminal map of JFK T4 showing the location of the current lounges (in pink) and, together with the artists renderings supplied by Amex, it may give an indication of where the new Centurion Lounge will be located.
Assuming the tower-like building seen in the first image posted above (the one showing an aircraft wing) is the same structure as can be seen in the center of the map above, the new Centurion Lounge looks like it will be located next to the SWISS lounge (shown just above Gate B23C on the Map)….but this is just speculation on my part.
Access To Centurion Lounges
Last year American Express took steps to help stem the overcrowding issues faced at a number of Centurion Lounges (I wrote about those issues here) by restricting access to just Platinum and Centurion cardholders and their guests.
At the time of writing (these have now changed), these were the Centurion Lounge entry rules per American Express:
Access to The Centurion Lounge is complimentary and exclusive for Platinum Card Members and Centurion Members. Platinum Card Members may enter with up to two travel companions at no additional charge. Centurion Members may enter with their immediate family or up to two travel companions. Platinum Card or Centurion Members may purchase access to The Centurion Lounge for additional guests for $50 each guest.**
**Subject to availability/capacity.
Thoughts
When Centurion Lounges aren’t crowded, being treated like creches and full of screaming children they’re probably amongst the best lounges in North America. The food on offer is usually good and I’ve never had too much trouble with service (except for staff at Miami who wouldn’t stop allowing guests to enter even when the lounge had run out of seats).
I haven’t had much of a chance to use the lounges since the new entry rules were brought into force so I can’t say if things have improved much….but I remain hopeful.
At 15,000 square feet the new lounge at JFK is definitely a sizeable proposition…and with the number of Platinum Card holders that I suspect pass through JFK T4 every day it will need to be spacious.
The winners here are probably the regulars at the Delta Sky Club as the new Centurion Lounge should help take some of the strain and alleviate overcrowding at peak times…or at least provide them with another option if the Sky Club is packed to capacity.
I’ll reserve full judgement on the new facility until it’s up and running and I’ve had a chance to try it out….but so far it looks promising.
