Sadly it’s a wrap on our fantastic Asia trip, but I’m excited to share all of our experiences when I get settled back home. As we wait to board our homeward-bound [economy] flight at Singapore’s Changi Airport, I figured I’d take full advantage of their awesome free wifi and bang out a quick post.
One of the highlights of the trip itself was flying first class on Cathay Pacific (which was beyond amazing… I think I’m spoiled now). Â With our first class itinerary, we received an invitation to visit British Airways’ first class lounge, located in Terminal 7 at JFK. We arrived at the airport at around 9:30 pm for our 1:20 am flight to Hong Kong and headed straight to the lounge to really indulge in all it had to offer.
I must say I was very impressed with this lounge overall. It was rather large, quiet (at one point there were only 6 people there), and appeared to be newly-renovated. There were plenty of snacks and drinks available, a separate dining room featuring a hot-food buffet, comfy lounge chairs, large televisions, and even a spa inside. Take a look at the pictures below, and  I’ll let them do the talking now.
Directly after exiting the security checkpoint, you can take the escalator up one flight to the lounge.
Inside the lounge lobby
Kevin & I by the lounge front desk
Plenty of room to drop off bulky luggage.
Newspapers and flight information
A very large business center with computers and laptop stations.
Lots of sitting area.
Another shot of the spacious sitting/waiting area.
The fresh fruit-infused tea was delicious and refreshing!
The cappuccino/espresso/specialty coffee machine.
Making myself a cappuccino!
Coolers filled with sodas, drinks, and yogurts.
A nice assortment of chips, snacks, and teas.
More single-portion snacks.
...and more snacks.
A self-serve bar of juices and beer.
The Elemis spa offers complimentary 15 minute treatments. Too bad it closed at 10 PM and we didn't get to experience a treatment. There's always next time, right? :)
The Elemis spa inside the lounge is open 4 PM - 10 PM daily and offers complimentary spa services.
A very large and modern full self-service bar.
Selection of liquors available at the self-service bar.
Another shot of the bar where you can help yourself to wine, juices, beers, and other beverages.
A very soothing/tranquil water fountain can be found in the middle of the lounge.
An abundance of chairs in another sitting area.
Hot food buffet in the supper room.
A close-up of some of the food available in the supper room.
...more food.
A nice selection of cheese and desserts.
Lots of dining space within the supper room.
...more dining space.
Close-up of some of the wines offered in the supper room.
Nicely-stocked wine and beverage bar in lounge the supper room.
We really enjoyed spending time at the British Airways Terraces Lounge at JFK prior to our flight. Have you visited this lounge too? If so, how was your experience?
These pictures don’t include the separate first class section. Did you visit it? (it is rather uninspired compared to the j section)
Wow!
The separate first class section is nothing special to tell you the truth. They sell the same food and drinks in both sections, its just that the first class section is quieter, and smaller.
@NYBanker: There’s another separate BA lounge in JFK called “the concorde room” which features a full menu and waiter service from what I hear. However, we were unable to visit because it is only available exclusively to British Airway’s First Class passengers, not partner airlines.
I don’t think NYBanker is referring to the Concorde room. There is indeed a separate first class section that First Class passengers can access, but it’s nothing special.
@Tom: The only kind of separate area (separate as in having to show your boarding pass) was where the hot food buffet was, it was in another room. Not sure if that’s what you guys are referring to. I agree, the food was nothing I’d call mouthwatering, but it was still nice to have that available. Maybe I’m easy to please, but I thought it was an enjoyable lounge experience… and hey, I’d choose free OK lounge food over paying for OK airport food any day LOL. The only other lounge I’ve experienced before that was United’s lounge at EWR which I wasn’t impressed with really at all.
I don’t think you missed out on the spa because it was closed. When I flew first class on Cathay to Vancouver I was told the complimentary spa treatments were only for BA first passengers…..not partner airlines. Same as the Concorde room it seems. I really enjoyed the supper club room. My husband is a vegan and there were so many good food choices. Looking forward to visiting it again next month when we fly back to Vancouver. Looking forward to details of your trip.
As you enter the reception the business lounge is to the right, the first class lounge is to the left. As others have said, nothing special, just more “exclusive”. Having been to all three lounges, I always prefer the business class lounge with all those amenities. Also lots more to do. Great post and review on the lounge. Covered all the bases. Keep up the great work and welcome back!
great review of the lounge, but next time you’re ever in Istanbul, try out the THY CIP Lounge….best of the best!
@Angelina, Tom and NYB are both talking about the BA First Lounge which is to the left side of the check-in desk (where you took a picture). It’s better to stay in the Terraces side to lounge in but the FCL on the other side has better liquor selections.
@Jimgotkp: Ahh gotcha, guess we missed out on that side LOL. Next time I’ll have to take a peak at the other side! :)
Hi Angelina – We’re flying on the 01:30 flight on Cathay in a couple of weeks, and I’ve noticed that BA’s website says that the lounge closes at 22:00. Was that your experience? Is so, what did you do with the rest of your time before the flight? Thanks!