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Air France Lounge at New York JFK Airport [Detailed Review]

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Katie Seemann
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Katie Seemann

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Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure, F...
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Michael Y. Park

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Michael Y. Park is a journalist living in New York City. He’s traveled through Afghanistan disguised as a Hazara Shi’ite, slept with polar bears on the Canadian tundra, picnicked with the king and que...
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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:

A Priority Pass allows you to access lounges regardless of elite status, airline, or class of service.

Check in desk at JFK Air France Lounge
The Air France Lounge at JFK can be accessed with a Priority Pass.

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.

JFK Air France lounge entrance
The Air France Lounge at JFK.

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 JFK
The lounge is big and bright.

There was cool artwork, along with information on the artist, on the walls near the entrance.

Art at JFK Air France Lounge
I loved the mini art gallery in the lounge.

Additional artwork, as well as plenty of seating, was scattered throughout the lounge.

More seating and art at the Air France Lounge JFK
There was more artwork by the tables near the downstairs buffet.

Seating

The Air France Lounge was big, and it had lots of seating.

More seating at Air France JFK lounge
Air France Lounge seating.

As soon as I entered, I took the escalator up to the second level.

Escalator in Air France Lounge
It’s unusual to see an escalator in an airport lounge.

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.

Windows in Air France Lounge at JFK
This 2-level lounge had lots of natural light.

The high ceilings and large windows gave the lounge a very bright and light feel. Unfortunately, the view was mostly of the highway.

Views from JFK Air France Lounge
Looking down on the lounge’s main level.

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.

New York skyline views from JFK Air France lounge
The New York City skyline is in the distance — it was a beautiful view during sunset.

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 JFK buffet
There was a buffet on each floor.

There were a few different premade salad options, plus ingredients to make your own.

Salad bar at JFK Air France lounge
The salad bar had plenty of options.

There were different types of meats and cheeses.

Meats and cheese at Air France Louge JFK
Bring on the charcuterie.

Of course, there was delicious bread.

Bread at Air France Lounge JFK
The bread was hiding under parchment paper.

Hot entrées included French favorites like quiche Lorraine and croque monsieur, as well as staples like pasta and chicken.

Air France lounge buffet hot items
The buffet included hot items like chicken, rice, pasta, and quiche … notice the red, white, and blue serving dishes.

My dinner was delicious! I especially loved the quiche.

Dinner at the Air France Lounge at JFK airport
Dinner at the Air France Lounge at JFK.

Dessert options included a couple of varieties of cake, fruit smoothies, chocolate mousse, panna cotta, cheesecake, and fresh fruit.

Desserts at Air France lounge JFK
The dessert selection was excellent.

But wait, there’s more! Around the corner of the buffet, there were more desserts: brownies, madeleines, and palmiers.

More desserts at Air France Lounge JFK
More desserts.

I couldn’t decide what I wanted, so I tasted a few of them (for research purposes only, of course).

Desserts at Air France lounge at JFK airport
So many desserts.

Beverages

Each floor of the lounge had a self-serve drink station.

Beverage station at Air France Lounge JFK
The lounge’s self-serve drink station

There was a coffee machine plus still, sparkling, and flavored water.

Coffee and water at Air France Lounge JFK
Coffee and water.

Drinks included juices, milk, Heineken beer, White Claw, Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, and ginger ale.

Drinks at the Air France Lounge at JFK
There were lots of drink options.

Wines and spirits were also self-serve.

Self serve bar at the Air France Lounge JFK
The self-serve bar.

Some bar snacks were available right by the self-serve bar.

Bar snacks at Air France Lounge JFK
Bar snacks.
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).

Clarins spa at JFK Air France lounge
The Clarins Spa at the Air France Lounge.

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 Clarins spa treatments
Complimentary treatments at the Air France Clarins spa.

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.)

Bathroom at Air France lounge JFK
Air France Lounge bathroom.

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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Frequently Asked Questions

Who has access to the Air France Lounge at JFK?

You can access the Air France Lounge at JFK if you’re flying in Air France business or first class, have Flying Blue Platinum or Gold status, have SkyTeam Elite Plus status, or have a Priority Pass membership. Day passes can be purchased at the front desk or an Air France kiosk.

Which terminal does Air France use at JFK?

Air France uses Terminal 1 at JFK airport, which is where you can also find the Air France Lounge.

Is the Air France Lounge part of Priority Pass?

Yes, you can access the Air France Lounge in Terminal 1 at JFK airport by using your Priority Pass membership.

How can I book the Clarins Spa at the Air France Lounge at JFK?

You can book an appointment in the reception area of the Clarins Spa just inside the entrance to the Air France Lounge at JFK airport.

Do you get lounge access with business class on Air France?

Yes, if you’re flying on Air France business or first class, you’ll get access to the Air France Lounge.

Katie Seemann's image

About Katie Seemann

Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure, Forbes Advisor, and Fortune Recommends.

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