American Express has announced big plans for its 10th Centurion Lounge–The Centurion Lounge at John F. Kennedy International Airport .
The Centurion Lounge network is American Express’s signature, state-of-the-art lounge collection, which is currently found in nine airports worldwide. These airports are: Dallas/Fort Worth, Hong Kong, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, New York [LGA], Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle. With plenty of high-end amenities and high-design elements, these lounges are far cries from the stale-pretzel snack dispensers, well cocktails, and cracked-leather seats we associate with many (but not all) airline-branded airport lounges.
When it opens in early 2019, the Centurion Lounge at John F. Kennedy International Airport will be the largest and most design-driven in the credit card company’s lounge network. Here’s what we know so far.
Where will the Centurion Lounge be located within JFK?
The lounge will be located post-security on the fourth-floor Departures level of Terminal 4 at JFK Airport. Terminal 4 is the newest terminal at the airport and one of six active terminals. (There are eight terminals total at JFK, but Terminals 3 and 6 were demolished in 2011 and 2013 following the expansion of Terminal 5.) Terminal 4 is the airport’s busiest terminal, servicing over 21 million passengers annually and comprising more than one-third of all JFK traffic.
How will I be able to access the Centurion Lounge at John F. Kennedy International Airport?
The Centurion Lounge is complimentary for Platinum Card and Centurion Card members as well as for two travel companions (additional guests will cost $50/each entry). Though American Express previously allowed entrance to Gold and Green cardmembers for a $50 fee, entrance is now exclusive to Platinum Card and Centurion Card members. Note that the lounge does not place restrictions on which airline—or class—you fly. So economy-class passengers are welcome!
That said, given that Terminal 4 has its own TSA security checkpoints, it will not be possible to lounge in Terminal 4 and then fly out of the five other active terminals. So you will need to be flying an airline that departs from Terminal 4 to access The Centurion Lounge at JFK. The domestic airlines flying out of Terminal 4 are Delta (specifically flights to San Francisco, Los Angeles and Seattle) and Sun Country. International airlines flying out of Terminal 4 are: Delta (international departures), Air Europa, Air India, Air Jamaica, Air Serbia, Arik Air, Asiana, Avianca, Caribbean Airways, China Airlines, China Southern, Copa Airlines, Egyptair, El Al, Emirates, Etihad, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Pakistan International Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, Thomas Cook Airlines, Uzbekistan Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Volaris, WestJet, and XL Airways.
What’s planned so far for the Centurion Lounge at John F. Kennedy International Airport?
Though details are limited at press time, American Express promises “spectacular views of the airfield, exceptional amenities, and one-of-a-kind design elements.” The new lounge will be cast over two stories and across an impressive 15,000 square feet. Like its peers, this Centurion Lounge will feature contemporary furnishings, bespoke food and beverage programs by a local celebrity chef, craft cocktail menus, shower suites, high-speed Wi-Fi, and noise-buffering workspaces. We are hoping for an in-lounge Exhale spa, such as that in Miami airport, where guests can enjoy a complimentary 15-minute treatment. American Express has also stated, “The Centurion Lounge at JFK Terminal 4 will include special new features to be announced closer to the lounge’s opening.” We will be sure to keep you posted!
