I recently found myself lounge-hopping at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City during a particularly long layover. My last stop before catching a flight to Paris was the Air France Lounge in Terminal 1.
There are numerous lounges in Terminal 1 at JFK, all of varying quality. Of the few I visited on this day, the Air France Lounge was the best by far. It was big and bright, with a delicious buffet, lots of seating, a spa, and views of the New York City skyline.
How To Access the Air France Lounge at JFK
Priority Pass
If you have a Priority Pass membership, you have lots of options in Terminal 1 at JFK Airport, one of which is the Air France Lounge.
You can easily get a Priority Pass membership through your credit card, including ones like these:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- Capital One Venture X Business Card
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®
A Priority Pass allows you to access lounges regardless of elite status, airline, or class of service.
![Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (1) Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (1)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Check-in-desk-at-JFK-Air-France-Lounge.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Air France Passengers
Select Air France passengers also get access to the Air France Lounge:
- La Première (first class) passengers (plus 1 guest)
- Air France business class passengers
Flying Blue or SkyTeam Elite Status
Flying Blue Platinum and Gold and SkyTeam Elite Plus members plus 1 guest can access the Air France Lounge. Passengers and guests must have a boarding pass for a same-day international Air France, KLM, or SkyTeam flight.
Day Pass
Some travelers can purchase a day pass at the airport to access the Air France Lounge:
- Flying Blue Silver: $30 to $50
- Air France Premium Economy Passengers: $30 to $50 or 2,500 to 5,000 miles
- Additional passengers may be able to purchase a day pass up to 3 hours before their flights. Rates may vary.
Bottom Line: The easiest way to gain entry to the Air France Lounge is to use a Priority Pass membership.
Location of the Air France Lounge at JFK
The Air France Lounge at John F. Kennedy International Airport is in Terminal 1 at the very end, near gate 1. This is the international terminal, so you can only access it with an international boarding pass.
![Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (2) Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (2)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/JFK-Air-France-lounge-entrance.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
It’s open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
First Impressions
The Air France Lounge was the last stop on my JFK lounge-hopping day (I was making the most of an 11-hour layover). I was able to enter because I was flying Air France business class to Paris, although I could have used my Priority Pass membership.
As soon as I walked in, I was excited to see a bright, airy space with high ceilings and a glass roof (a welcome change from the Primeclass Lounge I had just visited).
![Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (3) Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (3)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Air-France-Lounge-at-JFK.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
There was cool artwork, along with information on the artist, on the walls near the entrance.
![Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (4) Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (4)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Art-at-JFK-Air-France-Lounge.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Additional artwork, as well as plenty of seating, was scattered throughout the lounge.
![Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (5) Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (5)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/More-seating-and-art-at-the-Air-France-Lounge-JFK.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Seating
The Air France Lounge was big, and it had lots of seating.
![Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (6) Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (6)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/More-seating-at-Air-France-JFK-lounge.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
As soon as I entered, I took the escalator up to the second level.
![Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (7) Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (7)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Escalator-in-Air-France-Lounge.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
I grabbed a table overlooking the first level of the lounge. This was a great spot to get a little work done before my flight.
![Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (8) Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (8)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Windows-in-Air-France-Lounge-at-JFK.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
The high ceilings and large windows gave the lounge a very bright and light feel. Unfortunately, the view was mostly of the highway.
![Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (9) Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (9)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Views-from-JFK-Air-France-Lounge.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
However, you could see the New York City skyline in the distance, which is a pretty unique feature for an airport lounge. Watching the sunset over the city from the Air France Lounge was really nice.
![Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (10) Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (10)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/New-York-skyline-views-from-JFK-Air-France-lounge.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Food and Beverages
There are 2 levels in this lounge, and both had the same food and beverage options, but the area on the first floor was a bit bigger.
Buffet
Food was served across 2 self-service buffets, 1 on each level of the lounge. There wasn’t any table service.
![Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (11) Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (11)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Air-France-lounge-at-JFK-buffet.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
There were a few different premade salad options, plus ingredients to make your own.
![Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (12) Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (12)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Salad-bar-at-JFK-Air-France-lounge.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
There were different types of meats and cheeses.
![Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (13) Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (13)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Meats-and-cheese-at-Air-France-Louge-JFK.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Of course, there was delicious bread.
![Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (14) Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (14)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Bread-at-Air-France-Lounge-JFK.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Hot entrées included French favorites like quiche Lorraine and croque monsieur, as well as staples like pasta and chicken.
![Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (15) Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (15)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Air-France-lounge-buffet-hot-items.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
My dinner was delicious! I especially loved the quiche.
![Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (16) Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (16)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Dinner-at-the-Air-France-Lounge-at-JFK-airport.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Dessert options included a couple of varieties of cake, fruit smoothies, chocolate mousse, panna cotta, cheesecake, and fresh fruit.
![Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (17) Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (17)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Desserts-at-Air-France-lounge-JFK.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
But wait, there’s more! Around the corner of the buffet, there were more desserts: brownies, madeleines, and palmiers.
![Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (18) Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (18)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/More-desserts-at-Air-France-Lounge-JFK.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
I couldn’t decide what I wanted, so I tasted a few of them (for research purposes only, of course).
![Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (19) Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (19)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Desserts-at-Air-France-lounge-at-JFK-airport.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Beverages
Each floor of the lounge had a self-serve drink station.
![Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (20) Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (20)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Beverage-station-at-Air-France-Lounge-JFK.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
There was a coffee machine plus still, sparkling, and flavored water.
![Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (21) Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (21)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Coffee-and-water-at-Air-France-Lounge-JFK.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Drinks included juices, milk, Heineken beer, White Claw, co*ke, Diet co*ke, Sprite, and ginger ale.
![Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (22) Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (22)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Drinks-at-the-Air-France-Lounge-at-JFK.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Wines and spirits were also self-serve.
![Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (23) Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (23)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Self-serve-bar-at-the-Air-France-Lounge-JFK.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Some bar snacks were available right by the self-serve bar.
![Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (24) Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (24)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Bar-snacks-at-Air-France-Lounge-JFK.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Bottom Line: The Air France Lounge at JFK offers a full buffet and a self-serve drink station (including alcohol).
Amenities
Clarins Spa
There was a Clarins Spa at the Air France Lounge at JFK. It was just to the left of the entrance to the lounge (before the check-in desk).
![Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (25) Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (25)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Clarins-spa-at-JFK-Air-France-lounge-1.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Lounge guests could make an appointment for a complimentary 15-minute treatment. Options include jet-lag relief, detox time, and eye treatments. Unfortunately, I didn’t see the spa until we were leaving, so I didn’t get to try one.
![Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (26) Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (26)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Air-France-Clarins-spa-treatments-1.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
The Clarins Spa at the JFK Air France Lounge was open daily from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Bathrooms
The bathroom was small and rather basic for the size of the lounge, but it was clean. There were also showers. (They were in use when I was there, so I couldn’t get a picture.)
![Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (27) Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review] (27)](https://i0.wp.com/upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Bathroom-at-Air-France-lounge-JFK-.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1200)
Final Thoughts
The Air France Lounge is a fantastic option if you’re flying from JFK’s Terminal 1. I can see why it made our list of the best Priority Pass lounges in the U.S.
With lots of natural light, this 2-level lounge offers an extensive buffet, comfortable seating, and distant views of the Manhattan skyline. Before you leave for your flight, remember to make an appointment for your complimentary 15-minute treatment at the Clarins Spa.
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