Lounge Review: Etihad/Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge, Terminal 4 – New York JFK

….elevated food offerings in a casually luxurious setting

When: March 6, 2024

Rating: 8/10 – Awesome

Access: Priority Pass through Chase Sapphire Reserve Card (3 hours before departure)

A few years ago, to save costs, Etihad Airways divested itself of its lounges. After the pandemic, Etihad partnered with Chase to reopen and rebrand its US lounges with lounges at New York’s JFK and Washington Dulles. JFK Airport, with all of its foreign carriers, is one the best airports for lounge hopping – especially Terminal 4.

The Chase/Etihad lounge at JFK is nearly identical to its Dulles counterpart (review here). The lounge’s aesthetic and branding is also similar to the larger Sapphire Reserve lounges at LGA and BOS. Highlights of this lovely lounge are the proactive staff, pre-plated buffet, the ability to order ready to made food via QR code from anywhere in the lounge, and shower suites.

The entry is on the upper level of Terminal 4, near the pier with the A gates. It is right next to the American Express Centurion lounge (just like at LaGuardia). After presenting your priority pass (through Chase) credentials plus boarding pass at the entry, you enter the lounge and you are immediately struck by the awesome views of the tarmac and the bar. The bar, which serves up a variety of cocktails, some specific to JFK, is backed by a glass wall – not mirrors, which increases the light in the lounge.

The buffet is a bit further down and like all Chase lounges, the items are individually pre-plated and portioned. This is where Chase has topped American Express – in the presentation of the buffet. Chase also tops Capital One in that you can also order food a la carte from wherever you sit in the lounge: At a desk or table, on a sofa in a comfortable seat, or at the bar.

There is a large variety of seating throughout the lounge, nice bookcases, artwork, and outlets for charging. The lounge also offers shower suites, which is great given the large number of long-haul flights offered out of JFK. I would describe the décor as modern, with many curved surfaces, clean, and bright. The fireplace adds a nice touch.

Here’s to the staff at this (and all Chase lounges). They are proactive, always cleaning and always professional.   

I rate this lounge 8/10. Best features: The décor, bar, staff, a la carte dining. Flaws: Crowds later in the day before flights over the Atlantic.