Air France is getting a much bigger home at New York-JFK.
The airline announced September 15 that it will move its JFK flights into the airport’s New Terminal One starting next year. Along with the move, Air France plans to open a new lounge spanning more than 2,700 square meters, or roughly 29,000 square feet.
It will be the largest lounge in Air France’s international network, with more than 400 seats spread across two levels.
Air France already operates a lounge in JFK’s existing Terminal 1, so this isn’t a new addition as much as a major upgrade. The current lounge includes dining, showers, a Clarins treatment area, and dedicated services for La Première passengers.
The new space will take that considerably further.
What to Expect From Air France’s New JFK Lounge
Air France hasn’t revealed every detail of the lounge yet. So far, the airline has released a rendering of the bar along with some early details about what will be inside.
The two-level lounge will include multiple dining areas focused on French cuisine, a bar serving French wines and Champagne, and dedicated spaces for working, relaxing, and beauty treatments.
There will also be an exclusive area for Flying Blue Ultimate members.
La Première passengers will get a separate space of their own, including a dedicated dining experience created for the airline’s first class customers. Air France says the lounge will be part of a more personalized La Première airport experience extending from arrival at New Terminal One through boarding.
Who Will Have Access to the New Lounge?
The lounge will be open to Air France La Première and eligible business class passengers, although Business Light fares won’t include access.
SkyTeam Elite Plus members will also be eligible, along with qualifying passengers flying KLM and other SkyTeam partner airlines.
And Air France has plenty of passengers to accommodate at JFK. During the summer season, the airline operates up to six daily flights between JFK and Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), in addition to three flights operated by transatlantic joint-venture partner Delta Air Lines.
Four of those daily Air France flights are operated by Boeing 777-300ERs equipped with the airline’s new La Première cabin.
Air France Is Moving Into JFK’s New Terminal One
The lounge is part of a much larger change underway at JFK.
New Terminal One is being built as part of the airport’s $19 billion redevelopment and will eventually replace the existing Terminal 1. Air France plans to move all of its JFK operations there beginning next year.
For Air France passengers, that also means the existing lounge’s days are numbered. Its replacement will be substantially larger and built around the airline’s latest premium products, including La Première.
There’s still plenty Air France hasn’t shown, including what most of the lounge will actually look like. But at nearly 29,000 square feet and with room for more than 400 guests, the new space will be a major step up from Air France’s current JFK lounge.
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