Review: Delta One Lounge at New York JFK Airport (JFK), Terminal 4

Wow…perhaps the best business class lounge in the USA

Modern and bright and chock full of most every conceivable amenity, Delta’s Delta One Lounge might be the finest lounge operated anywhere by a US carrier. Expectations have been surpassed.!

The summary

The lounge is on the mezzanine level of terminal four, overlooking the shopping arcade. The entry is easily marked. Eligible passengers, scan their boarding pass for entry, with a helpful Delta lounge agent on hand to assist. Across from the scanners is a stylish customer service desk. The entry hallway is adorned with a nice flower arrangement. Straight ahead past entry, you can look the left and you will find an attractive seating area.

To the left is a hallway to the washrooms. It’s a communal bathroom – unlike the individual rooms United has in its Polaris lounges. Further straight ahead, you have views of the apron and access to the all weather terrace. This room is enclosed but was smartly designed and had a lot of greenery.

To the right is where most of the lounge’s features are. The first thing you see is the stylish and modern bar, where every conceivable kind of drink is on offer. There is a charge for the most premium “reserve” spirits and wines, but I cannot see a reason to order any “reserve” given all that is complementary.

Across from the bar, and to the immediate right past reception, is the sit down complementary restaurant. I guess you can quibble that it is only open for lunch and dinner. I ordered a watermelon and tomato salad as an appetizer. My main course was spaghetti squash with prawns. The chef sent over some miso black cod. All the food was delicious. The server, without asking, brought over a yummy looking desert. When I explained that I don’t eat a lot of dairy, he came back with some fresh fruit in glass. The staff in the restaurant was top tier. I loved the decor of the restaurant as well, especially the open cooking station.

Past the restaurant is the buffet, which is called the market. This might be the finest buffet I have visited. Servers behind the buffet partitions will serve patrons individually plated portions – no scooping mac and cheese here! Items included: some meatballs, flatbreads, salmon, roasted vegetables, small sandwiches, a desert bar, additional baked items, and a salad bar – where the a server makes the salad for you. I am sure I am missing some items! The seating area is mostly sofa and table style seating. There is a large coffee/espresso station, a soft drink fountain, and iced tea and lemonade fountains. Also – there is a cart with champagne and wine in this room. As you explore the lounge, you will notice several of these carts – I lost count at 9.

Just past the market is an area designed for working. There is a large triangle table, with plenty of outlets. This section features a printer you can connect to from your computer and phone. There are also three private phone rooms where you can get on a call or join a virtual meeting.

Keep walking and you arrive at the wellness and shower area. The wellness area offers spa treatments and relaxation pods. There are some quiet seating areas adjacent to the spa (and showers). There are some semi-private seats and workstations in this area.

Take a right and you will arrive at the shower suites. The showers are large, luxurious, and stocked with Grown Alchemist products. The attentive staff will provide you with any additional items you might need. What I especially liked were the closets to hang your clothes – complete with wood hangers. No looking for a hook. You can have something pressed if you like and have your shoes shined.

The entire lounge is adorned with a variety of artwork. Throughout the lounge, there are ipad stations where you can book a shower or spa treatment. Outlets are everywhere. The lounge internet is password protected. The staff throughout was on the ball. Even in the work area, attendants routinely came by to ask if I wanted anything.

Terminal 4 at JFK has perhaps the finest selection of lounges in the USA. All three credit card lounges are present (American Express Centurion, Chase/Etihad, and the new Capital One Lounge, which will be my next review). There are two additional Delta Sky Clubs, a Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, an Emirates Lounge, and more. The Delta One Lounge is the best. Delta has thought of everything when constructing this lounge. If there is a detriment, it might be crowding. Any passenger with a ticketed marked “Delta One” has access, including those traveling domestically (think LAX and SFO). In addition, Delta 360 passengers are granted access. (United Polaris lounges are more restrictive). The lounge filled up later in the afternoon – before the bank of trans-Atlantic departures. To be clear – this lounge provides a definite reason to arrive early at JFK!

The wrap:

…The details. Date – June 18, 2025. Rating: Superior. Access: Delta One Ticket

…What I like: The food, drink, staff, showers, all of it

…What I don’t like: Crowds (if I had to put something here)