Guide to the T1 and T4 Primeclass Lounges at JFK Airport
Welcome to our guide to the Primeclass Lounges at John F Kennedy (JFK) International Airport.
If you're flying out of Terminal 1 or 4 and seeking a comfortable space to relax before your flight, the Primeclass Lounges are good options, offering a range of amenities and access options.
This guide will cover the various methods of gaining entry, provide video reviews, an overview of services, and describe the layout of the lounges, helping you decide if visiting a JFK Primeclass Lounge is the ideal choice for your airport experience.
Terminal 1 Primeclass Lounge
To get a starting feel for this lounge, we’ve shared a video review below.
This one is from ‘My Travel Vlog’, and is from late 2022:
Location
The Terminal 1 Primeclass Lounge at JFK Airport is located after security, next to Gates 8 and 9. Look for the prominent entrance in the middle of the Terminal, between these gates. Once you have checked in at the front desk, you will need to go downstairs to access the lounge.
You can see the lounge location on the Terminal map below (just ignore the ‘temporarily closed’ label, as it seems JFK have omitted to update it):
If you click on the image above, you’ll go to the official JFK map. This will let you navigate the map and see where this lounge is located relative to your departure gate.
Note that access to the T1 JFK Primeclass Lounge is only available if you are departing on an international flight from Terminal 1 - you’re out of luck if you’re on a domestic flight or departing on an international flight from another Terminal.
Lounge Opening Hours
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday: 11:30 – 21:00
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday: 11:30 – 01:00
Please note that the maximum stay in the lounge is limited to 3 hours to help accommodate guests comfortably.
Lounge layout and seating
The Primeclass Lounge in Terminal 1 is 5,120-square feet in size – about 400-square metres for those of us in the metric world – which makes it big enough to accommodate a reasonable number of guests.
Nearby the bar area is a high-top table with counter seating.
The other seating areas in the lounge alternatives between tables, and swivel and high-back lounge chairs. Watch for the New Yorker imagery on the walls, which is a pleasant aesthetic touch!
There are also seats nearby the business centre in case you find that the main lounge area is crowded.
Food and beverage in the JFK Primeclass Lounge
Complimentary drinks at this lounge are limited to those drinks listed on a specific menu that you’ll have access to at the bar. Premium drinks and cocktails will cost extra.
The Points Guy team took a snapshot of the menu at their last visit in 2019, which was a little while back so may have changed since then:
As you can see, premium alcoholic drinks like cocktails are on a separate menu and are therefore subject to charge:
There is a long buffet area located just across from the bar. The hot food selection typically includes staples like rice, pasta dishes, roasted vegetables, and chicken entrées. The buffet also features soups, a fresh salad bar, and various light snacks including nuts and packaged treats. Near the beverage station, you'll find grab-and-go options perfect for those rushing to their gates.
Behind the bar is a counter area with light foods and non-alcoholic drinks in dispensers and fridges. There are also two self-service coffee machines – sufficient, but would be nice to have a barista!
Lounge amenities
The Primeclass Lounge at JFK International Airport in Terminal 1 offers a range of amenities to make your pre-flight experience more comfortable and convenient.
The lounge features three unisex restrooms, one of which includes a shower.
The Points Guy team took some great photos of the bathrooms, which we’ve reproduced below.
You'll also find magazines, newspapers, and computers with printing facilities.
Wi-Fi is available with download and upload speeds of (reportedly) 4.66Mbps and 4.9Mbps respectively.
There are also plenty of outlets, each with two AC points and two USB ports for charging devices.
Accessing the JFK Primeclass Lounge
There are a few ways to access the JFK Primeclass Lounge in Terminal 1:
Buy access with LoungePair: Flexible lounge passes are available through LoungePair, offering walk-up access without fixed time/date booking. LoungePair offers 3 hours access from US$66 per person, a fully refundable pass for an additional $6, or for free with LoungePair+ purchase.
Use a lounge membership program or credit card: Access is available through Priority Pass, DragonPass, Lounge Key, TAV Passport, or Diners Club. Note that these options do not guarantee access in advance, and your guest benefits may vary depending on your membership type. You may have access to one of these membership types via a credit card like American Express Platinum, Diners Club, or Capital One.
Walk up to the lounge on the day of travel.
Note that children under the age of two can enter the lounge for free. Premium alcoholic drinks and cocktails are subject to additional payment.
Terminal 4 Primeclass Lounge
Lounge Location
The Primeclass Lounge in Terminal 4 can be found on Level 3, positioned inside the secure area, airside, adjacent to Gate A2.
Access to the lounge is limited to passengers with a departing flight from Terminal 4.
You can click on the map below to be redirected to the JFK Airport interactive map. This will help you navigate to the lounge or find out where it is located relative to your departure gate.
Lounge Opening Hours
The T4 Primeclass Lounge is open 24 hours daily. Please note that the maximum stay in the lounge is limited to 3 hours to help accommodate guests comfortably.
Lounge Layout and Seating
This lounge is a softly lit, spacious area with muted tones.
The lounge contains a variety of brown leather seats and booths with black and wooden accent tables. There is a small dining area located next to the buffet.
This lounge opened in November 2022 originally designed as overflow for the Air India Maharaja Lounge, but now maintained as a seperate lounge.
Image Source: LoungeBuddy
Amenities
Take a look at this video from ‘Khiz and Eesa’ to get a sense for the amenities available at the JFK T4 Primeclass Lounge:
Here’s an overview of the services and amenities provided:
Food and snacks
Non-alcoholic beverages
Beer & Wine
Wi-Fi
Flight Monitors
Newspapers & Magazines
TVs
Power ports
Conference rooms are available for an additional fee. Please see the front desk agent for more information.
Food & Drink
The T4 Primeclass Lounge offers a range of snacks and meals, including fresh fruit like oranges and apples, and an array of snacks such as Goldfish crackers, granola bars, chocolates, and dried fruits.
For heartier options, there are salads with potato, pasta and couscous, alongside sandwiches like ham and cheese, beef, turkey, and vegetarian options.
There are a variety of beverages including coffee, tea, water, apple juice, canned soda and alcoholic options such as beer and wine.
Image Source: LoungeBuddy
Image Source: LoungeBuddy
Image Source: LoungeBuddy
Access Options:
There are a few ways to access the JFK Primeclass Lounge in Terminal 4:
Buy access with LoungePair: Flexible lounge passes are available through LoungePair, offering walk-up access without fixed time/date booking. LoungePair offers 3 hours access from US$54 per person, a fully refundable pass for an additional $6, or for free with LoungePair+ purchase.
Use a lounge membership program or credit card: Access is available through Priority Pass, DragonPass, Lounge Key, TAV Passport, or Diners Club. Note that these options do not guarantee access in advance, and your guest benefits may vary depending on your membership type. You may have access to one of these membership types via a credit card like American Express Platinum, Diners Club, or Capital One.
Travel Class and Airline Status: Business Class passengers on Singapore Airlines, including PPS Club members and KrisFlyer Elite Gold members, are granted access to this lounge.
Walk-Up: All passengers regardless of airline status or travel class are welcome at this Primeclass Lounge for a walk-up fee. Approach the lounge attendant for details.
Note that children under the age of two can enter the lounge for free. Premium alcoholic drinks and cocktails are subject to additional payment.
Image Source: LoungeBuddy
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get into the Primeclass Lounge?
To access the Primeclass Lounges at JFK Airport, passengers have several options available to them:
Day Pass:
Purchase a lounge pass from LoungePair.
The pass remains valid for six months from the date of purchase, offering flexibility without the need to specify travel dates in advance.
Lounge Membership:
Holders of Priority Pass, LoungeKey, and DragonPass memberships can enjoy access to these lounges.
Guest access is permitted based on the specific terms of each membership.
Walk-Up:
Primeclass Lounges warmly welcome all passengers, irrespective of airline or travel class, for a walk-up fee.
Simply approach the lounge attendant for more information on how to gain entry.
Travel Class and Airline Status:
Business Class travellers flying with Singapore Airlines, including PPS Club members and KrisFlyer Elite Gold members, are eligible for lounge access in T4 Primeclass.
Credit Card Access:
Mastercard holders with LoungeKey benefits, as well as select Diners Club and American Express Platinum cardholders, have the privilege of accessing the Primeclass Lounge in either terminal.
In summary, access to the Primeclass Lounge can be secured by purchasing a pass through LoungePair, possessing an all-inclusive lounge membership, being a Business Class passenger and/or having status with Singapore Airlines, or holding the specific credit cards mentioned above.
Where is priority pass lounge in JFK Terminal 1?
The Primeclass Lounge at JFK Airport is located in Terminal 1, after security, next to gates 8 and 9. It is accessible to passengers on international flights only. To find it, look for the prominent entrance in the middle of the terminal, between gates 8 and 9. Once you have checked in at the front desk, you will need to go downstairs to access the lounge.
How much does it cost to visit the Primeclass Lounge at JFK?
Access costs will vary depending on how and where you acquired your pass.
The cost to access the Primeclass Lounge at JFK International Airport Terminal 1 is US$66 per person when purchased through LoungePair. The Terminal 4 Primeclass Lounge is US$54 per person when purchased via LoungePair.
Summing up
Both Primeclass Lounges at JFK offer travellers a comfortable and convenient space to relax and unwind before their flights.
With a variety of seating options, stocked buffets, and plenty of amenities like Wi-Fi and printing services, these lounges are a great choice for travellers looking to make their airport experience a little more enjoyable.
In addition to the Primeclass Lounge in Terminal 1, there are also several other paid access options, including the Air France Lounge, KAL Business Class Lounge, and the Lufthansa Business Class Lounge.
At Terminal 4 your other options include The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, the Air India Maharajah Lounge (both of which we also have dedicated guides on), and the Chase Sapphire Lounge.
No matter which airport lounge you choose (or more than one if you’re lucky!), you're sure to find an ideal place to relax before your next flight.
If you've had the chance to visit one of the JFK Primeclass Lounges, we'd love to hear about your experience in the comments below or by email.