“I could get used to this,” I thought to myself as a plush fur robot chair squeezed and massaged my arms, ass, and legs. Encased in an individual capsule with light-blocking curtains, I felt like I was experiencing a new fashionable body sculpting treatment at an Aman-like spa; instead, I slipped into the “wellness area” of the new Delta airline lounge at JFK.
The last time I left JFK, I waited in the security line for 20 minutes (yes, even with Clear) and walked another 15 minutes to the Delta Sky Club, waiting for a snack…then Shake Shack because a line of at least 30 people passed the doors of the hall. The airline's new Delta One lounge, which opens to the public on June 26, aims to be a solution to those problems with a special private entrance and security check, and a whopping 39,000 square feet of space. But it also offers much more, marking a “new era for Delta,” says Claude Roussel, vice president of Delta Sky Clubs and lounge experience.
Read about my first-hand experience at JFK's new Delta One Lounge below.
The Hall
The first thought that came to mind when I walked through its doors was, “Shit, this place is huge.” My second thought: “Wow, this is a beautiful bar.”
Seriously though, the art deco decor of the bar and lounge area looks more like a new NYC hot spot than any airport lounge I've ever seen. The lighting is moody, the wood paneling is dark and rich-looking (mahogany?), the lamps and cushions are Missoni, and the general vibes are “Polo Bar”, rather than “Ikea cafe” .
The most important part of any salon, in my opinion, is the food. I wasn't able to sample the new offerings at the media preview, but I was impressed by the sheer size of the market and the marble-lined bakery area, which serves up healthy grain bowls, fresh juices and more, sort of like a 'Erewhon of Instagram. alternative If you're in the mood for a sit-down meal, there's a 140-seat brasserie-style restaurant offering a menu of brilliant-sounding items like hamachi crudo and steak tartar in partnership with Danny's Union Square Events Meyer (fingers crossed for the famous Delta). the chocolate chip cookie will be on the menu).
The Spa
Maybe you've just come off a red eye and even though you've been able to lay flat in your comfy Delta One pod, your limbs still ache. Or maybe you're an anxious flyer and preparing for a long-haul flight. Fear not: the JFK Delta One Lounge is here.
The most unique aspect of the new lounge is undoubtedly the spa, and not just because most airport lounges lack such amenities. Adjacent to the cafe and restaurant areas in a quiet corner, the Serenity Lounge resembles some of the most elegant spas I've been to in New York and is surrounded by nine bookable relaxation pods with full body massage and nap chairs And these are not your standard nail salon massage chairs, I can only describe them as luxury Once you sink into the chair, someone walks into another room to select your program, and the robot chair applies pressure to your arms and legs to help with lymphatic drainage and a gentle massaging of your entire body (feet included) that will make you feel better some massages. I got it from real humans.
If you prefer a human touch, the salon will also offer treatments from Grown Alchemist-certified massage therapists. I was treated to the “Travel Spa Treatment Experience” by a lovely man called Coco who proceeded to give me the most heavenly hand, shoulder and eye (!) massage for 40 minutes. I emerged feeling reborn and, more importantly, sculpted. The salon expects around 1,500 travelers to pass through per day, so I'm not sure how many of them will actually be able to experience these features, considering there's only one treatment room and nine relaxation pods. But you can bet the first thing I'll do after getting off a flight is head straight to the spa.
There are also eight “shower suites,” where weary travelers can cool off between hammam-like marble walls and dry off in cool, fuzzy towels, bathrobes, and slippers. The best part: there is a hidden sliding wardrobe where you can hang your clothes and place your shoes. An attendant on the other side will then iron your clothes and shine your shoes while you shower. I repeat: an attendant will iron your clothes and shine your shoes while you shower. Then, just open the sliding door and your freshly pressed shirt and shiny shoes will be waiting for you. Beyond the lounge's open-air atrium, beyond the restaurant and spa and massages, this it was ultimately the most extraordinary and luxurious item I met during the media preview.
All in all, I was more impressed than the new Delta One Lounge at JFK, which looks and feels like it's from the future. It's something that would force me to get to the airport early just to experience it the next time I'm lucky enough to take a business class flight on Delta, and as a perpetual latecomer, running to my door like -Close the type of person from the airport, consider that the highest praise.
