The slick Etihad-only first and business class lounge at New York's John F Kennedy International Airport is handily situated just to the left after immigration and security. The exterior features a bold and exclusive-looking geometric pattern in gold and dark brown, inset with frosted glass doors.
Inside this 7,300 square feet space, uniformed staff inform me that they’ll be letting me know when to board. The modern design reflects the airline’s most recent cabin interiors, with dark wood contrasted with soothing cream paintwork.
Since I’m flying from the US to Abu Dhabi, I can carry my laptop and camera with me and work without hindrance. This is lucky because the lounge has no desktop computer terminals. I was there at 1pm ahead of a 3.15pm flight, so I headed to the peaceful a la carte dining area to work over a spot of lunch.
The lounge is pleasantly uncrowded and has a striking bar area with dark wood mashrabiya inserts and plenty of natural daylight, with views down through the floor-to-ceiling windows of planes being readied for service. There are some individual leather chairs near the windows and separate eating areas – a buffet dining area, self-service drinks counter, showers and prayer rooms. There is, however, no spa.
There’s a choice of five dishes on the a la carte dining menu, and I try the potato and pea samosa with tamarind chutney and pan-seared salmon with potatoes and green beans. The food arrives swiftly and is beautifully presented. The salmon is especially tasty as it comes with a salted crust. The staff are friendly and hard-working, but my server doesn’t notice that I don’t have cutlery so I get it myself. I also sample the food from the buffet, a choice of salads and hot dishes including Indian specialities. It is almost as good as the a la carte.
Although there are no boarding announcements, the staff tell lounge occupants when it’s time to go to their gate. A nice bit of Abu Dhabi hospitality on American soil.
q&a: premium lounge
Rosemary Behan expands on Etihad’s business class lounge at New York’s JFK Airport:
Where is the JFK lounge and when did it open?
The lounge is situated in Terminal 4 and opened in November 2015. It was the second Etihad-only premium lounge in the US after Washington DC and coincided with the introduction of the Airbus A380 on the route between Abu Dhabi and New York. There are two daily flights between the two cities.
Who exactly can use the lounge?
Etihad Airways guests travelling in The Residence by Etihad, First Apartments or Business studios. Economy travellers can pay US$75 to enter if they are holding Etihad Airways boarding passes for either of the two Abu Dhabi flights.
What do people flying in The Residence receive?
Within the premium lounge they have their own private lounge, like a hotel suite without a bedroom. It features a living area, dining table, showers and prayer room. It is designed for up to four guests.
Where in the world are Etihad’s other premium lounges?
The airline’s other premium lounges around the world are in Abu Dhabi, Washington DC, Los Angeles, London Heathrow, Manchester, Dublin, Paris, Sydney, Melbourne and Frankfurt.
rbehan@thenational.ae
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