Delta Sky Club JFK Review: Double the Fun

Delta Air Lines has grown so much at New York’s John. F Kennedy Airport that it now has not one, but two lounges in Terminal 4. Between the two Delta Sky Clubs, more than 800 guests can now eat, drink and rest before a flight at JFK.

The smaller lounge is at the end of the A gates (near Gate A7) in Terminal 4. It has a cozy and inviting atmosphere that makes it clear this lounge isn't simply an overflow room. Designed with New York City in mind, the focal point of the second Sky Club is a 360-degree bar, which has a striking design and is prominently located at the center of the lounge.

Here’s a preview of what you can expect when visiting the Delta Sky Club at JFK at the A gates. Plus, find out how you can gain access.

Delta Sky Club at JFK amenities

Food and beverage

The 360-degree bar is a signature of the newest Delta Sky Club. This one has marble countertops, recessed lighting and outlets at every bar stool.

Along the far wall is a buffet line and beverage station stocked with dishes like brisket hash sandwiches and vegetarian latkes from chef Elyssa Heller, the founder and CEO of Edith’s Eatery & Grocery in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. There are also the usual lounge options such as salads, soups, fresh fruit, cheese and crackers.

A coffee cart in an adjoining room serves Heller’s famous Iced Café Slushie — a blended mixture of cold brew, tahini, oat milk and simple syrup.

For those with a sweet tooth, there’s a dessert cart filled with brownies, cookies and other treats.

Sky Deck

The Delta Sky Club at JFK extends outdoors with a Sky Deck, allowing guests to get some fresh air before their flight. It has ceiling fans and a retractable roof to make it comfortable in most weather. Plus, guests can take in the views of the tarmac.

Comfortable seating

There’s a variety of seating options around the lounge, but armchairs appear to be the most common.

The leather chairs by the indoor/outdoor fireplace look like a good place to curl up with a book or one of the magazines from the wall in Delta Sky Club.

In total, this lounge seats more than 250 guests. The booth seating is located on either side of the bar.

Workpods

If you need to take a call, four soundproof pods are available, with adjustable standing desks and power outlets. These pods are down a hallway extending from the bar and food area, so it has some separation from the action in the central part of the lounge.

Nook

Further down the hallway, you’ll find a dreamy nook with more private seating. It’s meant to evoke the intimacy of a New York speakeasy, but the natural light flooding in through the floor-to-ceiling windows breaks the illusion. We’re not complaining, though. It’s still a lovely place for a drink.

Bathrooms

The bathrooms have a similar Art Deco design as the bar, with lots of marble throughout. It’s stocked with hand cream and soap from Grown Alchemy.

How to access Delta Sky Club at JFK

In 2023, Delta tightened restrictions on Delta Sky Club access in an effort to reduce overcrowding. Unless you’re on a layover, you can enter the Sky Club up to three hours before your departure flight only. To visit, you must:

• Have a Delta Sky Club membership.

• Fly Delta One or in a premium cabin on a SkyTeam airline.

• Hold Delta Diamond, Platinum or Gold Medallion elite status and fly Delta One or Delta Premium Select internationally.

• Hold a qualifying Delta credit card.

Unfortunately, you can't buy a day pass to Delta Sky Clubs unless you have a co-branded Delta credit card that allows you to do so.

Credit cards with Delta Sky Club access

Here are the credit cards that grant access to Delta's lounges:

• Centurion Card from American Express: You get complimentary access if you're traveling on a same-day flight operated by Delta or marketed by Delta and operated by WestJet.

• The Platinum Card® from American Express: Cardholders receive 10 complimentary visits to Delta Sky Club per year when traveling on a same-day flight operated by Delta or marketed by Delta and operated by WestJet. (However, if you spend $75,000 or more on the card in a calendar year, you get unlimited access for the rest of that year and the next year). Cardholders can bring either two guests or immediate family (spouse/partner and children under the age of 21) at a rate of $50 per person per visit.

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Cardholders receive 10 complimentary visits to Delta Sky Club per year when traveling on a same-day flight operated by Delta or marketed by Delta and operated by WestJet. (However, if you spend $75,000 or more on the card in a calendar year, you get unlimited access for the rest of that year and the next year). Cardholders can bring either two guests or immediate family (spouse/partner and children under the age of 21) at a rate of $50 per person per visit.

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Cardholders receive 15 complimentary visits to Delta Sky Clubs per year when traveling on a same-day flight operated or marketed by Delta. After those 15 are used up in a year, visits cost $50 apiece. Cardholders flying a Delta partner pay $50 per visit. However, if you spend $75,000 or more on the card in a calendar year, you get unlimited access for the rest of that year and the next year. Cardholders also get four one-time guest passes per year.

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: Cardholders receive 15 complimentary visits to Delta Sky Clubs per year when traveling on a same-day flight operated or marketed by Delta. After those 15 are used up in a year, visits cost $50 apiece. Cardholders flying a Delta partner pay $50 per visit. However, if you spend $75,000 or more on the card in a calendar year, you get unlimited access for the rest of that year and the next year. Cardholders also get four one-time guest passes per year.

Terms apply.

JFK Delta Sky Club

New York travelers should get some relief from the overcrowding issues at the Delta Sky Club locations at JFK. There’s now two full-blown Sky Clubs in Terminal 4, and the one at the A gates does a lot to make the 14,000-square-foot space feel chic and comfortable.

All information about the Centurion Card has been collected independently by NerdWallet. The Centurion Card is no longer available through NerdWallet.

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, see this page.

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, see this page.

To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.

To view rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.