Amex just opened its newest lounge inside LaGuardia Airport's brand-new terminal and it's just what the infamous airport needed

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.Thomas Pallini/Insider

• American Express just opened a new Centurion Lounge at New York's LaGuardia Airport on Monday.
• The 10,000 square foot space is open to American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders flying on any airline.
• Complimentary hot meals and alcoholic beverages are on offer as flyers await their flights in LaGuardia's brand-new Terminal B.

One of New York City's most exclusive clubs just opened in an unlikely place: LaGuardia Airport.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

American Express just opened the doors to its newest Centurion Lounge on Monday, the latest feather in LaGuardia Airport's cap after seeing a new terminal building open its doors last year.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Read More: I visited the newly opened LaGuardia terminal and saw how it has turned the infamous airport into one of the best in the US

Brand-new structures replaced the 1960s-era Central Terminal Building, giving New York's third-largest airport the more modern facility that it deserves and passengers more room to breathe. LaGuardia and its Terminal B are now dining and retail destinations in a twist no traveler saw coming.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Now, with American Express reopening its Centurion Lounge at the airport, flyers have another reason to get to the airport early. Take a look inside the new lounge.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Terminal B currently serves four airlines including American Airlines, United Airlines, Air Canada, and Southwest Airlines. Each airline except Southwest has its own lounge in the terminal but Centurion Lounges are regarded as a step above the traditional airline club.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders both have access to the lounge, with the former commanding an annual fee of $550. Delta Air Lines flyers with the Reserve American Express card also have access to the lounge but would have to leave security to get to the Delta terminal.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Immediately greeting all visitors is the iconic portrait of an American Express steamer and dog, accompanied by two armchairs. This setup can be found in every Centurion Lounge.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

The newly-opened lounge comes in at 10,000 square feet with a total of five open seating areas and scores of additional private rooms.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

It's markedly larger than the former Centurion Lounge in the old Central Terminal Building.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

The lounge boasts a capacity of 262 guests but seating is somewhat limited due to the COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the airport.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

New York City-inspired photography lines the lounge in one of the many local touches that American Express aims to include in each lounge.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Private rooms are a key feature of the lounge, offering escapes from the hustle and bustle of the main seating areas.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

They typically offer plush seating arrangements and quieter places to dine, work, or relax.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Most also offer televisions that play the news.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Another private room is the meeting room, complete with colorful walls and couches.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

It's a multi-use room that can also be a family room since this lounge doesn't have a dedicated family space as others do.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Nintendo Switch video games including Mario Kart are also available on request.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Two enclosed phone rooms are also available, complete with a single chair and table.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

They are arguably the most private spaces in the lounge and ideal for solo travelers.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

When it's time to eat, guests can head to the main dining area that houses the hot food buffet.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Both breakfast and then a combined lunch and dinner are served in the lounge.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Hot meals, savory snacks, and alcoholic beverages are on offer and guests don't have to spend a dime to enjoy any of it. All of the lounge's amenities are included in the annual fee for whichever card grants access to the club.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

A selection of breakfast foods was on offer until 10:45 a.m. Options included breakfast breads...

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Fruit salad...

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Greek yogurt, detox shots...

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Ricotta toast with tomatoes...

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Acai bowls...

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

French toast, turkey sausage links...

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Martabak telur...

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Oatmeal...

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Eggs, and potatoes.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

The menu was crafted by Cedric Vongerichten of Nolita's Wayan restaurant. American Express frequently taps local chefs to create its Centurion Lounge menus and they don't often disappoint.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

The food in this lounge was incredibly fresh and tasty.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Due to the pandemic, buffet attendants plate food items for guests and deliver them on a tray.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Then, guests can choose to dine at one of the tables near the buffet or bring their plates back to their desired seating area.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

A selection of water, juices, and hot beverages are also available to top off the meal.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

But for something stronger, there's also a full-service bar in the lounge. All alcoholic beverages are also complimentary in yet another perk of membership.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Standard drinks and cocktails are available but American Express mixologist Jim Meehan created a special, local-inspired drink menu for the lounge. The famous "blue door" cocktail is also on offer.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Bar seating is unavailable due to the pandemic. Plexiglass partitions are also installed for social distancing purposes and floor placards lead the way to the bar.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

But bar-adjacent seating is available with high-tops and cushioned benches.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Seating is mostly open in the lounge, with flyers having their pick instead of being escorted to a seat as is the case in some other American Express lounges.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Some seats are reserved for larger groups. This arrangement, for example, is reserved for groups of three or more.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

It remains to be seen how American Express will adjust as more travelers take to the skies and COVID-19 measures are lifted.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

But not all seats need to be blocked off as some lend themselves well to social distancing. Lounges thrive on exclusivity and privacy, and some of the seating reflects that with high walls to separate guests.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

This lounge also features the standard single-seat cubbies that are separated from each other by walls measuring around one foot in length.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Bar seating is also available along the edges of the lounge, offering a unique view of the terminal below.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Clear windows provide a direct line of sight to the check-in areas below, as well as the art installations on display in the terminal.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

The lounge also has some art of its own, including a massive mural of the Centurion logo.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Power outlets are ubiquitous in the lounge and guests don't have to travel far to find one, whether it be a 110v AC power outlet or USB charging port.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Some couches even have power outlets built into the cushioning.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

A small business center complete with outlets and a printer is also available for business travelers passing through the lounge.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

A conference table is also available for business travelers or larger groups.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

An entire pre-trip meeting can be had around the table, complete with built-in power outlets.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Unique to the LaGuardia lounge is a library-like study space, which American Express designed in partnership with New York City independent bookstore McNally Jackson,.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

It's another private nook for guests to enjoy but digital copies of books are also available.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Showers are also available in the lounge, although they're not currently open due to pandemic restrictions. But once lifted, guests will be able to have a shower using L'Occitane products.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

The lounge is open from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Sunday to Friday, but only until 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Guests departing from LaGuardia can spend a maximum of three hours here but the visit is worth every minute.

Touring American Express' new Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport.      Thomas Pallini/Insider