I visited the first-ever Delta One Lounge, complete with a mini spa, terrace, and full restaurant. It's as bougie as I expected.

Taylor RainsJun 26, 2024, 20:29 IST

The Delta One Lounge was extremely bougie, but I expect nothing less from the airline hard focused on being the US' most premium option.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Delta Air Lines debuted its first-ever lounge just for business-class customers.
The nearly 40,000-square-foot space features a wellness center, terrace, and full restaurant.

Delta Air Lines has debuted its highly anticipated Delta One Lounge at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.

The nearly 40,000-square-foot lounge builds on the airline's famous SkyClubs with high-class perks like a wellness center, terrace, and full-service restaurant.

The bougie-ness isn't surprising considering Delta's premium-focused reputation. It's the only carrier of the Big 3 with sliding doors in business class, for example, and free WiFi on more than 650 of its domestic planes.

But it wasn't the first to open a dedicated business-class-only space; American Airlines and United Airlines run their respective Flagship and Polaris lounges. It also wasn't the first of the three to incorporate a separate restaurant or spa-like amenities.

Still, after previewing the space ahead of its grand opening, I think Delta's is the best of its kind thanks to a wide suite of amenities that all conveniently fit into one exclusive space.

Plus, frequent SkyClub goers at JFK can rejoice, as the new Delta One Lounge could help split up the crowds.

The new Delta One Lounge differs from the airline's collection of SkyClubs with more amenities and exclusivity.

This entrance, located on the Terminal 4 departures level, can be used by arriving or connecting travelers. It has its own check-in and connects to the security-level entrance via an elevator.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

The perks start before security at a dedicated check-in space on the far right side of Terminal 4. It's stocked with drinks and snacks.

The Delta One Lounge has its own check-in area hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the airport.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

There are concierge desks and bag drop stations to help travelers before they are directed to what will eventually be a private security line.

Once it opens this fall, the dedicated Delta One TSA line will be located here.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Once past the chaos of crowds and security, customers will step into what I think is the best premium lounge among the US Big 3 airlines.

United's DC lounge was just named the best in North America by Skytrax, and I see why. But the competition has heated up with Delta's new offering.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

The Delta One Lounge is divided into several sections, the most glamorous being its 140-seat Brasserie restaurant.

The chefs and waiters are part of the 200-strong staff at the Delta One Lounge, Roussel said.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

It's similar to United's dining room at Dulles, which also offers a full sit-down service made from scratch but is less extravagent.

Delta (bottom) built upon United's restaurant (top) with a better seating area. I've tried and enjoyed the food at both. Note: The menu in the bottom right is the one for media.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Five small courses were served during the preview, and, as expected, everything was delicious.

My favorite course was the chicken (bottom left).Taylor Rains/Business Insider

A market and bakery complete with hot and cold food is available on the other side of the lounge for quick bites.

The market and bakery, which is served on-demand by staff members.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

There's also a bar with cold non-alcoholic drinks on tap and a coffee bar. Bar carts are stationed throughout the lounge, too.

The coffee bar (top) and cold drink taps (bottom) had alcohol carts next to them.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Complementing the restaurant and buffet is the giant bar just outside the Brasserie.

The half-circle bar sits between the Brasserie, the living room, and the terrace.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Passengers can enjoy their beverages in one of the seemingly neverending seating areas in the giant lounge.

The four pictures all represent difference seating areas around the lounge. Power ports are pretty much always within arms' reach.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

I'd recommend the terrace.

The year-round terrace sets Delta's business-class lounge apart from the competition. Taylor Rains/Business Insider

If you don't want to be reminded you're at an airport, lounge-goers can escape to the wellness center for one of three spa-like services.

The wellness center was between two lounge areas, connecting both sides to make a loop.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Other services include 20-minute massage chairs and zero-gravity chairs, which Roussel said are good snooze options.

There were massage chairs and zero-gravity chairs lined along three walls, each located behind curtains for privacy.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Complementing the wellness center are eight showers — which I imagine would be welcomed after a long-haul flight.

There are touchscreen monitors around the lounge where travelers can schedule time in showers or massage chairs, as well as manage their flights.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

There's also a shoe shine — rounding out all of the business traveler's needs.

Business travelers can get everything they need to freshen up.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

While I'll likely never get access on my own, the Delta One Lounge will impress the airline's most premium flyers.

The bar and living room in the lounge make up just one part of the entire near 40,000-square-foot lounge.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

It's also a win for those with SkyClub access as Delta One passengers clear up space in the commonly overcrowded lounges.

This is the main check-in area where departing passengers who clear security via the dedicated line will enter through.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

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