United Polaris passengers can now access the Alaska lounge at JFK

Since United Airlines returned to New York's John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) earlier this year, the carrier has been flying just two routes out of Terminal 7: JFK to Los Angeles (LAX) and JFK to San Francisco (SFO) on the posh Boeing 767-300ER. (Starting Oct. 5 United will switch over to the Boeing 757-200.)

While United operates lounges at both LAX and SFO, there isn't a United lounge at JFK.

This all changes as United business passengers now have complimentary access to the Alaska Lounge at Terminal 7 — a huge improvement from no lounge access whatsoever.

Related: Your First Look at Alaska’s Brand-New JFK Lounge

While not as fancy as United’s Polaris lounge in SFO, the space is definitely in the upper tier when it comes to domestic lounges.

As first reported when the lounge opened in 2018, the space features large floor-to-ceiling windows that envelop the entire lounge with views of runway 31R and Terminal 5. There’s plenty of seating throughout the space and loads of power outlets. The food and beverage offerings are great for being a smaller lounge, including a coffee bar.

This Alaska lounge was closed throughout most of the pandemic, but it has since reopened and will now be accessible to those flying United Polaris.

Note that if you're a Priority Pass member, you can also enter the Alaska Lounge in JFK's Terminal 7.

Lounge access is only available two hours before a scheduled flight departure. The current hours are 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily., and the only day the lounge is closed is on Christmas Day (Dec. 25).