Here's your first look at the newly renovated Swiss Lounge at JFK
New York's Kennedy airport is one the of the nation’s busiest airports. With service to hundreds of destinations, there’s a high chance you can find a nonstop flight to wherever you’re going. And as the largest terminal in the airport, odds are that you’re flying from Terminal 4.
Home to 33 airlines, this terminal is busy around the clock. Fortunately, there are numerous lounge options available for passengers to relax in before their flights. Some highlights include a brand-new Air India Priority Pass lounge and the soon-to-open flagship American Express Centurion Lounge.
And now there’s a newly renovated lounge reopening there within the next two weeks — the Swiss Lounge at JFK. It closed for almost a year for a full renovation; what follows is our first look inside the refreshed space.
Access
Terminal 4 is home to the following members of the Star Alliance: Air India, Asiana, Avianca, Copa, EgyptAir, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways and Swiss Air Lines.
You can access the lounge if you’re flying in the business- or first-class cabin on any of these airlines. And if you’ve achieved elite status with any of these airlines and hold a Star Alliance Gold card, you’ll also be admitted — regardless of what cabin you’re flying.
There are actually two sides to the lounge — one reserved for Swiss First and Miles & More HON Circle members and the other for everyone else.
Like the SAS Lounge in Copenhagen, there are automated smart-entry gates that scan your boarding pass and allow you to bypass the front desk to enter.
Swiss First Lounge at JFK
As you enter the reception area, you’ll be directed to the left if you have access to this exclusive space.
Once inside, you’ll find a small buffet, as well as several two-top dining tables, some couches and reclining chairs.
There’s also a media room by the entrance with an L-shaped sectional sofa arranged around two televisions.
The restrooms are located along the hallway and feature one single-use stall for men, women and a shower room.
There’s also a silent room with one single pink chair. For what’s essentially dead space, I commend Swiss for actually turning this room into something useful, as opposed to making it a closet or otherwise closing it off.
While I loved the new Swiss-inspired finishes, the 26-person seating capacity will definitely feel tight in the afternoons. The airline has early-evening flights to both Geneva and Zurich, each with eight first-class seats.
Assuming those cabins are full and there are some HON Circle members on the flights, this lounge will hit capacity in no time.
Swiss Business Lounge at JFK
The majority of passengers will be spending their time in this part of the lounge.
At 3,574 square feet, this newly redesigned space comfortably fits 142 passengers. Like the First lounge, it’ll likely get crowded during the afternoon rush. However, I thought Swiss did an excellent job at adding more privacy dividers to help reduce some of the overcrowding.
The buffet is what you'll first encounter as you enter.
Across from the buffet is a new dining section with high-top dining chairs. There used to be a computer station around here, but that’s now gone in favor of more seating.
As you get deeper into the lounge, you’ll find the main dining space with lots of two-person tables.
Behind the dining room is a small relaxation area and then a long counter with 13 stools.
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to try any of the standard lounge food. (There were just passed appetizers at the media event I attended.)
There’s also a long couch along the wall for overflow seating.
And finally, there’s a large living room space with eight rows of recliners, as well as some alcoves with couches.
The business-class lounge has three single-use restroom for men, two for women and two shower rooms. Just like before the renovation, there will definitely be lines for these restrooms.
Aviation enthusiasts will appreciate the floor to ceiling views of the apron and gate areas. Thanks to these large windows, there’s plenty of natural light streaming into the lounge during the daytime.
The airline also used the renovation to install what it's calling virtual reality binoculars that display scenes of Zurich and the Swiss Alps. However, this AvGeek would’ve preferred regular binoculars for better views of the planes.
When I flew Swiss First, I was impressed with the attention to detail throughout the seat and cabin. So it’s no surprise that this design philosophy made its way to the refreshed lounge.
As such, each seat has perfectly placed international AC outlets and USB ports.
Some seats even have wireless charging mats and hidden coat hooks. And this ethos even extended to how Swiss sourced the raw materials for the lounge. Most of the wood and leather chairs come directly from Switzerland.
Overall impression
Swiss did a great job updating the JFK lounge with its latest design concept. Thanks to new privacy dividers, light wood flooring and gentle, relaxing tones used throughout, this represents a nice upgrade for the carrier's lounge network.
Yes, it's likely the first and biz lounges will still get very crowded -- especially at peak travel times. The good news? The layout is much more private than before, and there's no doubt you'll feel like you're stepping into a newly-built and renovated lounge that reflects the premium experience you'll have on board your flight soon after your visit.
All photos by the author.
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.