The BEST Business Lounge In The USA

barefootshoereview
Oct 7
6 min read

It’s kinda hard to outdo that last Emirates First Class flight we flew on the way here. Once you get a taste of premium, it’s kinda hard to downgrade, and even Premium Economy or Domestic First Class seems kinda lame after. Considering all I’m after is the lie-flat bed for sleep although lately I haven’t been sleeping much on lie-flat seats either I think I’ve just really been enjoying the ability to truly spread out.

I write this article from my current Delta One seat, front row cabin to the right, and the desk beside me allows me to work like I’m in an office. Due to a few unlucky (but predictable) cancellations because of the Middle East unrest, I had the foresight to book a Delta flight in addition to the United flight and figured I would take whichever one took off. Kinda shockingly, I’m now bound for Tel Aviv (Star-of-David-ing my fingers that we land safely), and in Delta One.

I haven’t flown Delta in a long time, as I’ve been playing the United status game for a couple of years. But with their recent codeshare with El Al, it seemed worth it for me to try. Plus, I was able to status match Delta from United, and with this flight, I’ll have Platinum for another two years. So while I may lose my United or even my El Al status (which I really hope to keep) if I have to fly domestic, I can just pick the flight that’s cheapest, or has the most convenient times, or whatever I have miles for. I do have 200K+ miles now locked away in United, which is kinda annoying as I would’ve preferred to keep it in the portal but what can one do!

Anyways the Delta One review!

I have to say, JFK is far more convenient for me in my Brooklyn-based location. It’s about half the distance, half the price, and no tolls. I can’t remember the last time I flew out of there internationally, but being that I purchased my ticket with my Amex Platinum points, I got a 35% rebate on the business ticket and got to access the snazzy Delta One Lounge in JFK.

I’ve visited a lot of business class lounges around the world in the past couple of years, and I have to say this one blows most out of the water. First and foremost is the food! In addition to their buffet, salad bar, dessert bar, pizza, and open bar, they have a full sit-down restaurant. Now, this is not your typical lounge restaurant this is a proper restaurant. The effort and the taste of the food is on par with some of the best meals I’ve ever had, but even better it’s all free! They also have a variety of kosher meals available upon request.

Two more key standout features in this lounge were their amenities. They offer a 10-minute facial or a 10-minute upper back, scalp massage, and/or arm/hand massage. While it wasn’t the best massage I’ve ever gotten, who’s complaining about a free massage on a long day of travel? I’m not much of a drinker, but the bar looked really nice in addition to the fine selections of wines and spirits they offer with your dinner.

I really liked the work area even though it’s enclosed in glass, it feels like a terrace, and you’re overlooking the runway with plenty of workstations and soundproof work cubicles. From the lounge, you can then head straight to your gate.

As I’m now aboard the flight itself and it’s my first time flying Delta One, we’re going to really dive in!

First off to compare we’ve flown United Polaris ultra long haul (NY to Australia), El Al Business Class for the same route we’re on now, and most recently, Emirates First Class.

So to compare:

The product itself is a little underwhelming. Not tons of storage space, one water bottle waiting for you, and recycled bedding brand sitting in an underwhelming pillowcase on the seat. United Polaris’s bedding product blows it out of the sky. The seat itself is quite hard. But they are suites which means they have a sliding door for a bit more added privacy. To be fair, in general, most business class products are stacked in a way where you’re not peering over your companion’s stuff, especially if you’re near the window.

I picked seat 1J, which in my opinion was an oversight due to not having the best view because of the way the windows are. I’m right near the front of the plane, so tons of noise from the cabin crew, especially around mealtime and there’s a restroom and snack bar right next to me.

What annoys me the most about this cabin and most business cabins in general is the footrest. As an avid athlete, I really like having my legs elevated. It’s one of the main reasons I fly business in the first place, and these things just don’t go up enough. I’d like them to get to a true full extension of the legs without having to lean the seat back, although I understand that most people don’t have that mobility. Also, the leg space is great, but… you can only really lean your legs up there when you’re sleeping, making it a bit useless in any upright seating position.

I’m definitely pickier, having flown a bunch of cabins, but it felt a bit underwhelming. The staff were okay not overly attentive, but there when you need them. To be fair, I was also flying a night flight, especially with the time zone jump, so the majority of passengers are sleeping. I slept through dinner and asked for meal service about four hours later, and they gladly obliged. The food was better than Polaris’s, and actually better than the dry dish I had on Emirates last time.

Overall, Delta One was a nice experience, but its lounge experience was far better than the flight itself. Here’s me wishing I could sleep on these darn flights I’ve gotten to a point where I can’t sleep even in lie-flat beds. Pretty picky of me.

As I summarize this article, I ask myself: Why do I spend all these points on flights? I think it adds to the excitement of flying! But with my upcoming flight to LA, I’m really going to have to see how I can survive an economy flight.