How do you make a compelling case for an independent airport lounge when the host terminal is widely considered one of the nicest in the country? It is a challenge, to be sure, but one that Airspace took on with their latest facility inside JetBlue‘s flagship terminal 5 (a/ka T5) at JFK airport. And, as company president Anthony Tangorra explains, “What’s interesting about this [terminal] is that it is awesome, so we had to set the bar even higher here.”
The lounge opens with a soft launch today and it looks like they’ve hit that mark.
Access to the lounge is provided for Aer Lingus business class passengers, Gold Circle elites traveling to Ireland, American Express Platinum & Centurion Card holders and anyone else willing to pay the $25-35 access fee. Each guest receives a $10 credit for use at the bar; Aer Lingus customers have a larger array of complimentary offerings. The full menu is available at the Airspace website.
So, how do you compete with the array of food offerings available in T5? Airspace is aiming at the quality proposition. Tangorra compares the $25 entry fee to the options in the food court and notes that the incremental cost isn’t very high, while the difference in the food is.
For just $10 more you’re getting fed better, higher quality food…. For the items on the menu there is no better quality food in this terminal.
For the business customer there are additional benefits from the Airspace Lounge. Beyond the business center (including a small conference room and print/scan services) the lounge offers up something T5 generally lacks: quiet space. T5 is fun, but it is decidedly not a quiet terminal. Tangorra hopes that Airspace can provide refuge for the “conference call on a layover” crowd:
It’ll be hushed quiet in here….[Y]ou can actually spread out on a full table, plug in, space to work, space to relax, get work done.
And you can do all that with a cold beer, too.
- For more images check out the LoungeTi.me Facebook gallery.
- For more details about the lounge check it out on the Airport Lounge Guide.
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I’ve enjoyed their lounge at BWI a number of times, nice to see an offering at JFK.
I’m suprised with B6’s tieup with LH they aren’t giving access to Senators, HON who are connecting to B6 from an LH flight.
There isn’t really a “tie-up” between LH and B6. Lufthansa is a part owner with a seat on the board but that’s really it. No loyalty program integration (and even JetBlue Mosaic members don’t get in), no code-shares. Nothing.
I’m more surprised that Hawaiian didn’t spring for their F customers than anything else.
Lounge looks great. BTW, love the new theme.
When you say access for Platinum and Centurion Amex holders is that complementary or do they still pay? Might get me to use B6 more!
It is complimentary for those AmEx cards, Art. Just like access to the AA/DL/US lounges where you can get your immediate family or 2 guests in as well. And everyone gets the $10 credit. 🙂