British Airways has officially opened the doors to a luxurious new First lounge at New York’s JFK Terminal 7, to gold cardholders and customers travelling in the airline’s First cabin on the airline’s most coveted route across the Atlantic.
The space is the airline’s first long-haul lounge to showcase the new design direction that customers are already enjoying in Rome and Aberdeen, and which will be rolled out across other destinations including Geneva, San Francisco and Johannesburg. The refurbishment forms part of a £52 million investment in the British Airways customer experience at JFK’s Terminal 7.
At 60 per cent larger than its predecessor, and covering more than 5,480 square feet the lounge has been designed with thoughtfully tailored zones.
A new wine room forms the centrepiece boasting an oenomatic dispenser, which enables customers to enjoy wines at exactly the right temperature that have been oxidized to the correct level. Customers will also be able to enjoy “Flights of Wine” – a selection of different wines linked to a theme. The current theme is “Chardonnays of the World”.
Other features include an opulent First bar with a wide range of premium beverages and a quiet work area. Customers can also dine in the airline’s upgraded dining room before they fly to maximise rest on their flight. A new boutique menu created by Executive chefs Gavin Mackenzie and Waylon Walker will include dishes influenced by the season, as well as a new ‘bowl food’ concept designed to offer customers a chance for a lighter option before they fly.
Carolina Martinoli, British Airways’ Director of Brand and Customer Experience, said: “We fly thousands of customers between London and New York every week so we’re absolutely dedicated to making the experience as relaxing, comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
“We are investing £52 million into our home at JFK this year as part of the £4.5 billion investment we’re making in our customer experience globally, and there will be further investments at JFK planned for the future. We hope our guests enjoy using the new facilities as much as we’ve enjoyed designing them.”
The opening of British Airways’ new First lounge at Terminal 7, is one of a number of changes the airline has already made to improve the customer experience this year. The Concorde Room at JFK, for First customers, was refreshed earlier this year and customers flying in First and Club World now also enjoy an enhanced check-in experience at the exclusive new Premium Zone, with direct access to Fast Track security. The new First Wing and First check-in are also open to ensure a smooth start to the journey.
The airline has upgraded the main concourse for all customers adding extra seating in the gate areas and increasing access to power for customers to charge their electronic devices before flying. Security and check-in zones have been redesigned to enhance the look and feel of the terminal and speed up the process of travelling through the airport. Customers also now benefit from updated washrooms and a new customer service desk, providing further assistance in the departures area.
British Airways will complete its refurbishment of Terminal 7 in 2019 after the upgrade of the Galleries (business class) lounge has been completed.
