Today my jaw dropped when I walked into the newly unveiled, week old Delta One Lounge in JFK’s Terminal 4.

Today my jaw dropped when I walked into the newly unveiled, week old Delta One Lounge in JFK’s Terminal 4.

I am a completely unbiased passerby, & more importantly, most definitely not a Delta fanboy. This was my honest opinion.

We were flying JFK -> BOG. I had never used the private Delta One checkin option at JFK which takes you through a stark walkway at the far right end of the terminal for an elevated checkin experience.

This alone was lovely. We were able to snag some solace from the hustle and bustle of July 4th travel, the main T4 checkin counters were zoos.

They are even opening a private security line in Fall 2024 that flows right into the D1 Lounge directly, so as a Biz Class Passenger, you never have to interact with the main terminal.

After we checked our bags with the D1 agents, the business class express line through the main security area was a breeze.

No complaints there, just standard TSA barking and cortisol.

After I slipped my shoes back on, I turned right, and saw it — in all its soaring, smooth-wood-finished glory.

We were met with a smiling agent who took us to a kiosk to scan our boarding pass. Beep. Easy entrance.

I took 3 paces and a concierge approached me with a smile, a request to check my bag (which I took her up on, my fiancé who was untrusting of our mere 1 hour and 45 minute time frame, did not), and an information flyer.

My first thought was that it was odd, but quickly realized there was A LOT of educating to do.

This was completely unlike any US lounge, and surely 90% of the clientele, like myself, had not experienced anything like this.

I mean, they had a Brasserie with an “ex Michelin star chef,” where you could make a reservation to dine?

Imagine my surprise when I was expecting the Sky Lounge standard: lukewarm chicken and crumbly buffet salad

We made a beeline to the entrance, which was about 15 meters to the right of the lounge entrance-way.

The Brasserie was not full, so we were seated immediately.

I asked the manager who came to our table, who was noticeably experienced beyond the standard of lounge staff, how long they had been training. She answered, anywhere from 4 weeks to 6 months!

It hit me — This D1 lounge experiment was meticulously calculated, clearly.

The menu, how could I forget the menu. What a showing.

I do not drink, but it was impressive nonetheless. They even had a higher end wine selection that you could purchase if you were not satisfied with their standard offerings.

We chose the Hamachi Crudo, Baby Greens Salad, a Gruyère Burger, & warm bread for our appetizer.

Our effusive waitress told us that the plates were not large, and we could order as many dishes as we like for our mains.

How exciting, how groundbreaking for a US carrier lounge?!

In true Brasserie fashion, we ordered Steak Frites (x2), and the Salmon. Gluttony was never my mantra, so we dialed it back despite the urge to order one of each dish to sample.

The food came out quickly as the open-kitchen staff whirled on. It was almost incomprehensible how many people were milling about back there

We were stunned at the spread. After spending days in NYC, this looked comparable to some $300 dinners we had enjoyed in the city

The sear on our rare Wagyu was delectable. The quality, high, but not nearly as high as some other fine dining offerings. A special award to the fries made with fresh potatoes, light & crisped to perfection

My sole gripe of the “Michelin Starred Chef” Brasserie experience was that the wait staff was slow to come back to take our order once we closed the menu.

After our hour long experience, stuffed like pigs, but taste buds throbbing for more, we wandered to the wellness area. Supposedly you could book massages, and other body-care treats.

On the way, we walked past the bar and took notice to the effort put into the design. Even such a forgettable thing as the ceiling was carved with care.

We waltzed past the “Market,” which is more of what you would expect as far as BC lounge offerings go in Asia, on carriers like Singapore and Cathay. Freshly cooked options behind a glass display case.

Semi-buffet style, I will call it.

Maybe it was less than 1 week old llighting, but the food looked delicious and FRESH, something so rare for the US.

We were disappointed. We were forced to pass on the stunning bakery goods, since we had just committed crimes of plenty in our stomachs. Those stuffed pigs were not in chowing moods.

Further towards the wellness center, I took note of the most futuristic work pods I had ever seen, like a scene from Wall-E.

We found the checkin area for the wellness center.

Unfortunately, all the treatments were at around a 60 minute waiting time, much more time than we had left in our visit.

So we decided to take a shower, specifically a couples shower (is that allowed?), because life is too short to not have fun.

The lovely woman named Janelle running the shower lobby, toured us around, explaining that all 20 of the shower rooms were empty. She coaxed us into the “grandest” one of them all.

Wow. Besides the aluminum bars that are mandatory for those in wheelchairs, it was immaculately designed. The floors were marbled tile, and the walls a royal, king-like blue.

And just look at how big that thing is! It’s bigger than some Turkish baths.

On the way out, refreshed and relieved (😏) for our flight, we nodded at the shoe shine man who seemed to be yearning for some entertainment. Pay a visit to this kind soul, we didn’t have the time to stay.

Janelle also showed us inside the wellness center, which was nicer than some St Regis Spas I have been to

Out to the terrace. Although it was odd to me that it had gorgeous skylights but was not open air? Maybe it has the possibility to open on nicer days.