Anticipating a zoo, I arrived for my Delta One transcontinental flight plenty early. Finding no line, though, I had plenty of time for some club hopping. Since I cleared security at Terminal 2, I first headed upstairs to the Delta SkyClub there. Delta actually operates two SkyClubs at JFK, the other at Terminal 4. I plan to review that lounge in a separate post.
Delta SkyClub New York JFK Terminal 2
Location
On the Mezzanine Level of Terminal 2. Immediately after clearing security, head up the stairs directly to the SkyClub.
Access
Delta provides SkyClub access to the following passengers:
- Delta One and SkyTeam international and transcontinental passengers
- SkyTeam Elite Plus members traveling on any SkyTeam flight in any class of service
- Delta Reserve cardmembers on Delta coded or operated flights
- Amex Platinum and Centurion cardholders traveling on a same-day Delta flight
- Virgin Australia Club members
Those with Gold and Platinum Delta Amex cards can also access the lounge for a discounted $29 fee.
Review
I found a short line to enter the lounge., though it did provide some early morning entertainment. A guy in front of me tried to sneak in without his Amex Platinum card, though the agent wouldn’t play ball. Needless to say, he didn’t want to pay the $59. Anyway, the agent made sure I knew my flight departed from Terminal 4, then welcomed me in.
This SkyClub opens up into one large square room behind the entrance, with mostly single and double seats.
Head back and a little left, and another, larger room opens up with a better variety of seating options. This section actually doubles as the dining area, thus the more open layout. Despite the lack of window seating, large windows on the left end let in plenty of light, creating an airy feel to this area.
Head left, and you’ll find the club’s bar area. Since it was barely 8 am, I didn’t check out the alcoholic beverage options. Both in front of and to the side of the bar are long, communal tables where you can work and eat.
This club offers only basic food options, mostly cold, but also hard-boiled eggs. But still, the breads, bagels, and yogurt look a whole lot better than what you find in Admirals Clubs these days.
There is also a fancy Thermoplan Black & White 3 coffee machine for espresso drinks. The mocha wasn’t bad. Not Starbucks quality despite the branding, but perfectly fine for an airline lounge. Then again, I’m hardly a coffee snob, so my standards aren’t terribly high to begin with.
Continue heading back, and you’ll find yet another sitting area, this one considerably more drab due to poor lighting.
So why did I choose this area to sit? Lots of easy-to-access power outlets along the wall.
Continue heading back and turn left, and you’ll find a makeshift terrace area. Before you get too excited, the “terrace” only overlooks the concourse below. You don’t get much of a view out the windows since you’re so far away.
At least this area looks like it stays empty, so if you can’t find seating elsewhere, check this area out. On the other hand, because you’re out over the concourse, I imagine it can get noisy at times.
Meanwhile, head through the other terrace entrance and you circle back around towards the club entrance. Here, the club has set up some neat high-back “walled” chairs. Oddly, this area also seemed empty. You’d think these seats would be popular. I would have set up shop here if I’d found it earlier.
I did notice that service was quite slow, especially in the back half of the lounge. My used coffee cup sat around for a good half an hour before someone came around to pick it up. As you can see from the photos, the lounge was a bit crowded, so that might have had something to do with it. My primary issue with this lounge is the lack of ramp/runway views. Delta at least tries with the indoor terrace, but it just doesn’t substitute for proper window seating. That matters to me, but YMMV depending on how much you care about that.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I thought this was a decent enough domestic airline lounge. It’s quite large, and the food offerings, though basic, seem a cut above quality-wise compared to other airlines. The main issue here is a lack of runway views, and a general lack of natural light in the back half of the lounge. But don’t fret – Delta has a better option at JFK. Stay tuned for my review of the Terminal 4 SkyClub.
