Etihad Airways to the UAE: Etihad Check-in & The Lounge JFK

Etihad Airways to the UAE: Etihad Check-in & The Lounge JFK

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Etihad Airways offers their first and business class passengers chauffeur service, both on departure and on arrival. I had made the request for the chauffeur service two days before my departure, and the morning of my departure got a call from the limo company confirming my 7PM pick-up.

The driver arrived on time and we made it to JFK by around 7:45PM, with plenty of time to spare before my flight.


Limo

I’ve always found Terminal 4 at JFK to be one of the most exciting, given that it houses Swiss, Singapore, Virgin Atlantic, etc. I still get the “butterflies” when departing JFK T4, much like I got whenever I flew when I was younger.


Some of the T4 airlines

Etihad check-in was located in “aisle” 4, and when I arrived at Diamond First check-in there was no line.


Terminal


Diamond First Class check-in

They had some contract workers dressed up in Etihad uniforms (including a gold rope around their shoulder!), who helped first and business class passengers with checked bags.

Check-in was efficient, and within a few minutes I was issued an invitation to The Lounge (yes, that’s the name of the lounge).

I do find it a bit disappointing that Etihad uses The Lounge at JFK for both first and business class passengers, given that it’s also a Priority Pass lounge. I was already missing the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse I had visited just a couple of months prior when flying Singapore Airlines first class to Frankfurt, as this lounge was right next door.


Terminal 4

While The Lounge was small, it was actually really decent for a contract lounge. I was welcomed at the entrance and handed over my invitation.


The Lounge entrance

The Lounge features one main room and then a smaller TV room off to the side, in addition to a self serve bar and small buffet area.


Buffet/bar


Seating


Booze


Snacks

The snacks themselves weren’t much better than what you’d get in the lounge of a US airline, consisting mostly of packaged chips, fruit, etc.


Snack

After being in the lounge for about an hour, one of the employees presented me with a menu, asking if I wanted something to eat. I hadn’t eaten since breakfast, so went with a chicken caesar salad.


Menu

It was served in pita bread and was actually really good.


Chicken caesar salad

I spent the next couple of hours in the lounge catching up on emails before the long flight to Abu Dhabi. While this lounge is by no means up to international first class standards, I didn’t find it half bad. The Wi-Fi was fast and they had plenty of drinks and snacks, so what more could I possibly ask for (other than a Porsche to the plane or an hour-long massage)?

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  1. Nick Guest

    I swear this is the Wingtips Lounge from the Uzbekistan Airlines review

  2. MillionMilerMan Guest

    Any experiences using the AA Flagship Lounge at JFK if flying JFK-AUH (F on EY)as an AA codeshare? Is it viable? How much time do you need to allow to switch terminals?

  3. MamaJ Guest

    JFK is not up to par as an international airport. Seriously lacking in services and waiting areas! No charging stations and lack of seats! All the terminals need more services. Water fountains and washrooms on all levels sold also be nice! Especially for passengers on long transits that cannot afford to go to a hotel and have to wait 13 hours in the airport! Take a lesson from YVR! these budget cuts really suck since...

    JFK is not up to par as an international airport. Seriously lacking in services and waiting areas! No charging stations and lack of seats! All the terminals need more services. Water fountains and washrooms on all levels sold also be nice! Especially for passengers on long transits that cannot afford to go to a hotel and have to wait 13 hours in the airport! Take a lesson from YVR! these budget cuts really suck since international airports should be functional for travelers.

  4. HP Guest

    I just had the same experience at The Lounge. They are good. H.

  5. Ryan Guest

    @Mike - You need to read the blog more often!

  6. mark Guest

    I like the picture of the limo.

  7. Mike Guest

    I didnt know you live in NY! Hello neighbor! :)

  8. Simon Guest

    Well that was underwhelming.

Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

Nick Guest

I swear this is the Wingtips Lounge from the Uzbekistan Airlines review

0
MillionMilerMan Guest

Any experiences using the AA Flagship Lounge at JFK if flying JFK-AUH (F on EY)as an AA codeshare? Is it viable? How much time do you need to allow to switch terminals?

0
MamaJ Guest

JFK is not up to par as an international airport. Seriously lacking in services and waiting areas! No charging stations and lack of seats! All the terminals need more services. Water fountains and washrooms on all levels sold also be nice! Especially for passengers on long transits that cannot afford to go to a hotel and have to wait 13 hours in the airport! Take a lesson from YVR! these budget cuts really suck since international airports should be functional for travelers.

0
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