British Airways flagship lounge at JFK's Terminal 7 reopens after 16 months
In yet another sign that international travel is on the rebound, British Airways has reopened its lounge at New York's Kennedy Airport (JFK). The lounge, considered the airline's flagship lounge in the U.S., had been closed for 16 months as a result of the pandemic.
The lounge, which is located at JFK's Terminal 7, officially reopened on Sunday. It coincides with the U.K.'s announcement that from Aug. 2, travelers from the U.S. who are fully vaccinated will not have to quarantine when they arrive in Britain.
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"After the news about the change in entry requirements for U.S. customers in to the U.K., we expect to host more customers who need to travel and so we have decided that it is the right time to open our flagship lounge in New York," British Airways said in a statement.
The JFK lounge is one of the busiest BA spaces, serving hundreds of First Class and Club World passengers, as well as other eligible pass holders who take one of the many daily NYC-Heathrow flights. In 2019, the airline had refreshed the lounge space as part of a $65 million renovation to its footprint in Terminal 7.
One advantage for those flying from JFK in First and Club World who drop by the lounge is being able to check-in for the travel at the exclusive Premium Zone. The First Wing and First check-in are also open to save passengers time.
The opening of the lounge at JFK is the latest move in BA's lounge reopening plan, which is happening in phases. The carrier recently reopened three domestic lounges in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen. Its First and Arrivals lounges at Heathrow were reopened in July 2020.