When flying between airports, one of the simple joys I appreciate is a quick escape to a lounge. When I need a snack or a power outlet and free wi-fi, the lounge is usually the first place I look.
Prior to my trip to Amsterdam as the guest of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, I found myself with an excessive amount of time to kill before boarding. As a result, I found myself able to partake in not only one, but two lounge experiences at Terminal 4 of John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK): the Wingtips Lounge and the Delta Sky Club.
After passing through the Delta Air Lines Sky Priority check-in to the dedicated security lane, the Wingtips Lounge was easily accessible on the top floor. With my Priority Pass card – a benefit of holding The Platinum Card from American Express – I could get access for myself and a number of guests for free.
The lounge space was simple and quaint, offering a full complimentary bar and cold food buffet. There were two sides of the lounge, complete with identical seating options. While the seats were plentiful, there were two concerns that jumped out. First, the seats were organized tight together, making it difficult to navigate the lounge with my rolling suitcase and briefcase. Second, the seats were obviously dated and in need of a little care. While it did not make them any less comfortable, it definitely left something to be desired.
The open bar offered beverages at the traveler’s convenience, with an array of soft drinks and beers from around the world. This was paired with the cold buffet, featuring all the ingredients for a salad or tuna sandwich.
As the safer of the options, I opted for the tuna sandwich with a beer and settled down to do some work while connected to the complimentary wi-fi.
After four hours, I had experienced everything I could in the small lounge and decided to yield the space for other travelers. After going downstairs, I made my way through Terminal 4 to the Delta Sky Club – the hub of all SkyTeam premium flyers out of JFK.
Unlike the independent Wingtips lounge, the Sky Club had plenty of space for travelers to stretch out and relax. The lounge featured a full dining room, traditional lounge seats, as well as a number of private cubicles for working. What I was most impressed by was the power outlet availability at nearly every seat in the lounge. No matter where I was, I could plug in and stay connected while on the ground.
While the beverages were not nearly as plentiful – soft drinks, one draft beer and some cocktails were complimentary – the lounge featured a full warm buffet with several options. I tried the chicken in mustard sauce with rice, which served as a filling snack before departure. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much variation to this menu: when I flew through JFK less than a week later, the same menu was offered at the Sky Club.
However, all may be forgiven for what could be one of the most unique lounge features I’ve ever seen: the outdoor observation deck. The deck offered great views of arriving and departing aircraft, while allowing travelers to get a literal breath of fresh air. Storms closed the observation deck during my trip there, but I would be at least curious to return someday when the weather is much nicer.
Overall, which was the nicer lounge experience? Both were accessible to Delta flyers with the American Express Platinum Card, but each offered a different experience. For those who would like a simple drink and free wi-fi prior to departure, the Wingtips Lounge offers a self-service experience without the pricetag. However, those who want the best lounge experience and power outlets abound should head straight for the Delta Sky Club – especially on days where the Observation Deck is open. Both lounges offer something for everyone: it all depends on your taste and preferences.
Which lounge is the better option in JFK T4? Let me know your impressions in the comments below!
Written by Frugal Travel Guy @ https://www.frugaltravelguy.com
Written by Frugal Travel Guy @ https://www.frugaltravelguy.com