Chase has been aggressively increasing its airport lounge portfolio, with the opening of Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Membership. We’ve simply seen the opening of the Chase Sapphire Lounge New York LaGuardia, although that’s not the one New York-area airport the place Chase has plans for a lounge…
Chase taking up Etihad Lounge at New York JFK Terminal 4
Again in 2015, Etihad Airways opened a lounge at New York JFK Airport. This was at a time when Etihad was investing in changing into a premium airline at any price. The Abu Dhabi-based provider ended up present process a restructuring, and the lounge has now been closed for years.
Thankfully it seems to be like that’s altering. On January 23, 2024, we’ll see the opening of the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Membership New York JFK. This lounge might be a bit totally different than the opposite places within the community, as it will likely be a joint providing with Etihad Airways.
This lounge is positioned in Terminal 4 (which is occupied primarily by Delta, but in addition by loads of different airways), and it’s positioned within the mezzanine on degree 4, above gate A2. The doorway is true subsequent to the Amex Centurion Lounge.
I’m curious how this idea is executed
Precise particulars about how this lounge will run stay to be seen. For context, Etihad Airways operates two every day flights to New York, and the airline is upping its service to the airport. As of April 2024, Etihad will supply one every day Airbus A380 flight to JFK, and one every day Boeing 787-9 flight to JFK. Each will characteristic top quality cabins.
Clearly the intent right here is for Etihad to nonetheless be capable to supply an important expertise for its passengers. Nonetheless, the airline doesn’t wish to bleed cash from working a lounge, as was the case a number of years in the past. The way in which I see it, there are a few methods this might play out:
- It’s doable that the lounge might be open completely to Etihad passengers within the hours previous to Etihad flights, and that it’s operated as a Chase Sapphire Lounge over different hours
- It’s doable that the lounge might be open to all all through the day, with maybe some capability controls previous to Etihad flights, to make sure that Etihad passengers aren’t denied entry to the lounge attributable to crowding
No matter which system is used, that is an thrilling growth. Lounge capability in Terminal 4 is sort of restricted, given the quantity of demand. So it’s unhappy that this area has been closed for years, when clearly the demand was there.
Whereas we’re on this matter, it’s attention-grabbing to notice how there are additionally plans for a Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Membership at Washington Dulles Airport. Etihad Airways additionally has a lounge there, which has been closed for years. It sounds to me just like the plan is for the Etihad Lounge to additionally turn into a Chase Sapphire Lounge, with an identical association. I’m curious to see when that lounge finally ends up opening.
Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Membership entry necessities
As a reminder, listed here are the entry necessities for all Chase Sapphire Lounges in the USA:
- These with a Precedence Cross membership via the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card (overview) can entry the lounge a limiteless variety of instances, with as much as two complimentary company; this additionally applies to these with the Ritz-Carlton Credit score Card, which is now not open to new candidates
- These with a Precedence Cross membership issued via some other means can entry any Chase Sapphire Lounge in the USA as soon as per calendar 12 months at no further price (that’s one go to throughout all lounges, not per lounge), and company aren’t complimentary; subsequent visits, in addition to company, might be charged an entry payment of $75
- In the event you don’t have a Precedence Cross membership, you’ll be able to outright purchase entry to the lounge for $100 per individual per go to, topic to availability
- Chase Sapphire Lounges are solely accessible inside three hours of departure, until you’re connecting, through which case you’ll be able to entry it earlier
We’ll see precisely what restrictions apply for the lounge at New York JFK, however you’ll be able to count on that Precedence Cross members may have entry to this lounge over most hours.
Backside line
The previous Etihad Lounge New York JFK will turn into a Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Membership. Nonetheless, the lounge will nonetheless be a joint effort with Etihad Airways. It stays to be seen precisely how that might be executed, although we should always have these particulars within the subsequent week.
What do you make of the brand new Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Membership New York JFK?
