One of the best perks of The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is access to Centurion Lounges. These lounges are for the most part significantly better than what’s offered by US airlines.
Despite the pandemic, 2020 is an exciting year for Amex Centurion Lounges, as a total of six new lounges are expected to join Amex’s network:
- The Centurion Lounge Phoenix opened in January
- The Centurion Lounge Charlotte opened in February
- The Centurion Lounge Los Angeles opened in March
Unfortunately Centurion Lounges closed shortly thereafter due to the pandemic, though they are now starting to reopen once again.
Beyond that, three more lounges are expected to join the network before the end of the year, at Denver International Airport, London Heathrow, and New York JFK.
There’s good news on that front, as the Amex Centurion Lounge New York JFK is open as of today. The first guest even recorded himself entering the lounge.
In this post:
Centurion Lounge JFK now open
The Amex Centurion Lounge JFK was first announced a couple of years ago, and it’s now open in spite of the pandemic. This is the 13th lounge in Amex’s Centurion Lounge network, and it is also the largest Centurion Lounge yet. Not only that, but Amex is referring to this as the new “flagship” Centurion Lounge, so I guess we should have high expectations.
Let’s get into some of the details…
Centurion Lounge JFK size
The Centurion Lounge JFK is over 15,000 square feet, making it the largest Centurion Lounge yet (by a small margin, since several are in the 13,000-14,000 square foot range).
This is also the first Centurion Lounge with two floors.
The Centurion Lounge JFK will feature a speakeasy-style bar
Centurion Lounge JFK location
The Centurion Lounge JFK is located airside in Terminal 4. After clearing security you can find it after the TSA checkpoint and to the left of the escalators that would otherwise take you downstairs to the departures level.
Terminals at JFK aren’t connected airside, so it’s not particularly practical to use this lounge if flying into or out of another terminal. The largest airline in Terminal 4 is Delta, but it’s also used by dozens of international airlines, ranging from Air India to Emirates to Singapore Airlines.
The Centurion Lounge JFK exterior
The Centurion Lounge JFK reception desk
Centurion Lounge JFK hours
The Centurion Lounge JFK is open daily from 6AM until 8PM. I imagine over time those hours could be adjusted (and presumably extended), but for now those seem like pretty long hours.
Centurion Lounge JFK food, drinks, and amenities
Obviously due to coronavirus Centurion Lounges aren’t currently offering the full experience that members may be used to, but the lounge offers the following:
- A curated menu by renowned Chef Ignacio Mattos, channeling the elegance and ethnic diversity of the city’s vibrant restaurant scene
- A first-ever speakeasy-style bar in a Centurion Lounge by mixologist Jim Meehan, called “1850”
- Wellness offerings from Equinox Body Lab, including self-led meditation and stretching sessions using Equinox’s health-and-fitness app Variis
- Elevated New York inspired design — guests are greeted by a handmade, custom mosaic mural, a nod to the NYC subway tiles
- Coffee by Irving Farm and local wines curated by Anthony Giglio
The Amex Centurion Lounge JFK
The Amex Centurion Lounge JFK
Bottom line
The new Amex Centurion Lounge JFK is now open, and it looks great. It goes without saying that this isn’t really the ideal time to show off a new “flagship” lounge, given the limited service that can be offered at the moment.
This is not only a great addition to the Amex Centurion Lounge network, but it’s also a great addition to Terminal 4 at JFK, as this will hopefully cause less crowding in the Delta SkyClub.
Anyone excited to check out the new Amex Lounge JFK?
Re: T2: Yes this the one airside connection due to Delta having needed both. But since air travel won’t even return to 75% anytime soon isn’t T2 done for?
@EK Flyer - why not get there at 7 ish and have half/hour in the lounge. Then get cosy somewhere and watch some Netflix. By then you'll board. I recall (it's been a while!) But EK teens to board really early?
As a Delta-only flier...I am thrilled that we have a Centurion airside in T4. The Sky Club there is a real good one so this will really make the choice more difficult.
Once my travel starts up again (whenever that will be?) I am absolutely booking out of JFK so I can see it.
Also, of note...the new Centurion in LGA is now post-security!
Love how they were so excited! Can’t wait to travel there to visit family soon!
Personally, this is going to be clutch for those awesome Virgin Atlantic JFK-LHR Y+ award fares!
Funny the First member guy said first one at LaGuardia... lol the Staff did say JFK correctly.
@henry LAX - I can't speak for dee, but I sure would. There is nothing worse than an Alaska flight out of T2, gates 40-48 at SFO. No lounge (at least for my significant other and I'm not going in the Delta lounge without her), terrible food options for money.
@dee : even if SFO were 100% connected airside in a circular formation (the most natural given given its topology),
are you all that interested to hike from T-1 around the circle to get to Centurion Lounge at T3, then reverse the same walk for boarding your flight ?
He might've been the first in there but I was the first to get a drink in the speakeasy!
It might be slammed eventually but it was empty this morning. Great food options and a super friendly staff. Aside from the speakeasy, it reminded me of the DFW Centurion Lounge in terms of layout.
What's with all the black and grey - so downbeat and gloomy looking
Great news for delta Amex reserve card holders who are able to buy there tickets on that card. Can’t wait to check out it out.
You can bus between T2 and T4 -- the staff discourage it, but look confident and you can connect airside :)
@Howard This lounge isn't really made with international travelers in mind. Most users of Centurion lounges in the United States are traveling domestically, so this is viewed as a step up from Admirals/United/Sky Club.
If you're a OWE based at LAX, your lounge options on an Int'l itinerary would be far superior to any Centurion Lounge out there.
It'll be slammed and entirely unappealing.
Like all Cents, they pack them in and the experience suffers. Even at 15k, that's not enough space to make it feel luxurious. There will be no real personal space.
If Amex didn't make it easy for every kid to now get a Plat, this wouldn't be an issue.
@Howard my experience is YMMV, and not all Centurion Lounges are created equal. They are, generally speaking, much better than domestic PP lounges and other contract lounges though.
Perhaps I am missing something here, however I ventured into the LAX Centurion lounge in early March, before the world tipped upside down and was underwhelmed at the offer compared to the Qantas First Lounge in TBI, the American Flagship and other similar lounges. They are at best just a lounge which for me doesn't add value to my flying experience...perhaps I am spoilt with my OW status!
@ Dee
Not everybody is familiar with JFK and Terminal 4.
Terminal 4 has two main concourses. Delta uses a concourse which is really long, even by airport standards. Thankfully, Delta has a Lounge midway through their concourse and offers entry to AMEX Platinum and above, not Delta cards!
The Centurion is closer to the shorter concourse which mostly serves low frequency Airlines such as SQ. I wonder if the Centurion lounge...
@ Dee
Not everybody is familiar with JFK and Terminal 4.
Terminal 4 has two main concourses. Delta uses a concourse which is really long, even by airport standards. Thankfully, Delta has a Lounge midway through their concourse and offers entry to AMEX Platinum and above, not Delta cards!
The Centurion is closer to the shorter concourse which mostly serves low frequency Airlines such as SQ. I wonder if the Centurion lounge uses the same space as previously used by a contract lounge serving SQ pax.
Bottom line, in almost all cases the Centurion lounge will not be convenient to Delta passengers. Some Delta flights use Terminal 2 which also has its own delta Lounge.
If you plan on going into this lounge, mask up b*tches!
I can't seem to get away from T4, no matter where I fly! Considering the only other option was Wing Tips (other than select airline's business class or DSC if on Delta), this is fantastic news and will be my new go-to.
Finally a Centurion Lounge near Delta Gates!!!!!! most other lounges like SFO etc are out of reach
since they are not connected air-side to other terminals for access
Was hoping to try it out before my EK flight later this month, since the JFK EK lounge is still closed, but with an 11pm departure I won't make it in time before the lounge closes at 8pm.
Hopefully sometime soon!
Definitely unusual for Amex to have a Centurion lounge in Delta's terminal (Seattle might be the only other hub where they do that right now?) but it and SkyClub should hopefully balance each other's load somewhat. Granted, T4 is very long so you might need more time to reach your gate than at other airports.
Looks modern and chic, but no that spacious from the video
The first US Centurion with two floors since the MEX one is on two.
https://onemileatatime.com/amex-centurion-lounge-mexico-review/
Sad no Exhale type spa with massages.