I visited a Delta Sky Club lounge at JFK Airport for the first time.
Joanna Kalafatis
I visited a Delta Sky Club lounge at JFK Airport in NYC to see what it was like.
The food and drinks were tasty, and there was plenty of seating.
There was a long line to enter, so I wouldn't visit the lounge again unless I had time to kill.
I've visited New York City plenty of times, but during a recent trip, I finally gave one of the Delta Sky Clubs at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) a try.
As a Delta SkyMiles member in the Silver Medallion tier, I had access to a Sky Club lounge, an area with luxe-feeling seating, a buffet, and free WiFi. There are over 50 Delta Sky Clubs in airports across the US, all accessible with a membership or a Delta Reserve credit card.
Here's what my experience at a Delta Sky Club airport lounge was like.
When I arrived at the lounge, there was a line to check-in.
I waited about 15 minutes before I scanned my boarding pass at a self-check-in station.
Joanna Kalafatis
According to Delta's website, customers can access a Sky Club lounge within three hours of their scheduled departure time. When I arrived at the Sky Club, there was a line outside the sliding-glass doors in front of the lounge's check-in stations.
A Delta employee waved us through after 15 minutes of waiting, and I scanned my boarding pass at a self-check-in station.
Overall, this didn't feel like a premium experience. And I noticed an even longer line outside the Sky Club lounge when I was leaving to board my flight.
The lounge was quite large and luxurious.
Travelers sitting by the window could watch planes take off.
Joanna Kalafatis
When I walked into the lounge, I saw several seating areas and rooms, ranging from quiet corners to busy central lounge areas. Each seating area was complete with tables and electronic-charging stations.
The furnishings and decor in the lounge created an upscale ambiance. Some plush seating even looked like it was made of leather.
The lounge featured a buffet with delicious food and a bar.
I could choose from foods like three-treasure fried rice and chicken and broccoli.
Joanna Kalafatis
I don't usually expect much from airport food, so I was excited to find a selection of tasty-looking main dishes like stir-fry and chicken and broccoli. The buffet also offered desserts like carrot cake and red-velvet cookies.
I made myself a plate with chicken teriyaki, mixed rice, and zucchini, which was delicious.
Next, I headed to the bar, which provided very fast service. The bartender said I could order a few glasses of wine for free, but I'd have to pay for other spirits. I opted for a complimentary glass of white wine.
The Sky Deck was closed but seemed pretty.
The Delta Sky Deck offered great views of the runway.
Joanna Kalafatis
The Delta Sky Deck was closed when I was there, perhaps due to the cold weather when I visited. However, it seemed like a beautiful place to view the surrounding runways and watch planes take off.
Based on photos I've seen online, tables and chairs are typically placed on the terrace.
I loved being able to sit and catch up on work.
There were several quiet areas to sit at.
Joanna Kalafatis
Luckily, there were plenty of quiet seating areas far from the loud buffet area, so I got some work done on my laptop.
The lounge offered free WiFi, and the password was prominently posted on signs throughout the area. There was also a printer available to use.
Thankfully, the lounge had lots of outlets.
There were plenty of areas for travelers to charge their electronics.
Joanna Kalafatis
I appreciated the array of outlets and electronic-charging stations around the lounge.
Some charging areas were even located by the windows so travelers could look out onto the runway while they worked.
To rest and recharge, I grabbed a coffee and watched some TV.
A basketball game was playing on the TV.
Joanna Kalafatis
I desperately needed coffee, so I was excited to see an array of Starbucks products, including syrups and different roasts.
Once I poured myself a cup, I headed to a seating area with a large TV showing a basketball game.
The Delta Sky Club Lounge is worth it if you frequently have layovers or get to the airport early.
I enjoyed the amenities, but I wasn't overly impressed.
Joanna Kalafatis
Overall, I liked spending time at this Delta Sky Club in JFK. However, because of the crowds and long lines, I'd only visit again if I was at the airport a few hours early or had a decently long layover.
If I had only 20 to 30 minutes before boarding my plane, dealing with the line and finding a seat would likely take more time than it's worth. However, it may not take as long to get into other Sky Club locations.
Regardless, I'd still stop by this particular Delta Sky Club to enjoy the drinks and food on my next layover.
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