Skippable lounge steps from better options at JFK

As always when flying in first or business internationally, I like to visit the lounge to catch up on email, maybe have a snack, and of course a pre-departure beverage of some sort. I had redeemed some Ultimate Rewards points via United to test out EVA Royal Laurel Business Class on my way to Singapore, and at the time, this was the lounge option. I guess it was a little strange to be in a Oneworld lounge while traveling on a Star Alliance airline, but I went with the flow…

Lounge Location: Right after you get through security, walk forward and to the right just a bit in that first circle, looking for the JAL sign. The LH Senator lounge is to the left, and all the other lounges are scattered between gates 1, 2, and 3 to the right (think SkyTeam – Korean, AF, Alitalia).

Access: Since this is the single daily flight out of JFK to TPE, it’s just open to Elites and Royal Laurel travelers.

Food: Unremarkable at best – a selection of cold sandwich bites and some cookies.

Drink: Again unremarkable – basic self-serve bar that felt a lot like a small domestic lounge.

Amenities: There’s a Business Zone with desks that is nice and quiet and has plenty of outlets to charge your gadgets, and just after that there is a luggage storage room. No showers or anything, however.

Noise: Pretty quiet lounge even when pretty full, except you’ll hear the compressor for a refrigerator (or something) go off every few minutes, and that itself is loud.

Cleanliness: Not clean – stains on the seats, dirty glasses.

Staff: Front desk staff was very nice. I would’ve liked to see my empties picked up a bit more frequently, however — by the time I left there were two empty glasses and three empty water bottles on my table.

View:  Mostly of jetways, with a few vertical stabilizers poking up in the distance.

The Bottom Line: Well, maybe it was the horrendous security experience I just had, or that my wine buzz from me previous flight had disappeared, but what a disappointment this lounge is! Stale air, dirty seats, and worse food and booze selections than a mediocre UA Club or DL SkyClub; we’re talking mixed sandwich bits under a plastic cover and Milano cookies. Don’t get me wrong, I love Milanos, but Milanos do not a luxury experience make! I don’t mean to whine, but this is probably the worst international lounge experience I’ve had to date. My recommendation here is to use your status to get into another lounge or venture out into the terminal…thought JFK T1 is nothing to write home about.

Been here before?

Have you visited this lounge while flying out of JFK? Let us know in the comments below!