I was always the kind of person who wouldn’t see the value in splurging on business class flights or access to airport lounges. The difference in price was too great for me to ever want to go there – plus, holidays are all about the destination, right? Now, since I’ve had the chance to experience the luxury Delta One lounge at New York’s JFK airport and Delta One Suite (business class) via Delta Air Lines, my mind has forever been changed and I’ve become that person trying to figure out how to earn airline points to experience the bliss of travelling like a VIP again.
Travelling premium with Delta One means the incredible service starts as soon as you enter the airport for check-in. A private entrance with refreshments and much more space, it’s a totally different airport experience than the rest of JFK.
Inside the Delta One Lounge at JFK
After check-in, you can enter the Delta One Lounge which opened at JFK in June of this year. It’s airport luxury at its finest. Fitted with contemporary art deco design, including artwork, mood lighting and other high end furnishings make you forget you’re even in an airport.
What Food Do They Serve Inside the Delta One Lounge?
There is no shortage of food and beverage at the Delta One lounge. For a quick bite, you can get served at the market and bakery which offer a wide range of seasonal foods inspired by Italian cuisine – including pasta, stone oven pizza, fish and chicken, plenty of salads, plus enough dessert options to fit anyone’s preferences. Staff will take your drink orders from wherever you’re sitting – and not to mention, everything is free and included in your lounge access. For a more elevated dining experience, you can sit at the brasserie and enjoy a three-course menu which includes dishes like steak tartare and cheesecake.
What Facilities Do They Have Inside the Delta One Lounge?
Beyond the decor and food and drink options, the amenities leave you wanting nothing. Lavish private bathrooms and showers include a valet steaming service, where you can get your clothes steamed while you shower and delivered to your private bathroom which is stocked with everything you could need. You can even get your leather shoes professionally shined which is a service I didn’t know I needed.
The wellness centre offers quick treatments such as massage chairs, short hand and arm massages and other jet lag recovery experiences. I would recommend booking these in advance, as spots fill up quickly.
Inside the Delta One Suite
Beyond the lounge, the Delta One Suite (available on the Delta Air Lines A350 flight from Los Angeles to Sydney) will have you arriving in Sydney feeling completely refreshed, no jet lag to be seen. It may even be one of the best business class experiences flying to Australia. There’s no climbing over other passengers, as everyone gets access to the aisle, and you also can enjoy complete privacy with a suite door that locks shut when you want to get some shut eye.
Features of the Delta One Suite
When it’s time to rest, you can flick on a do not disturb switch to snooze uninterrupted. The seat transforms into a complete 180 degree flat bed that comes equipped with a soft mattress cover, pillow and doona – the quality of sleep I had was comparable to a hotel. The soft mood lighting, modern design, large TV screen, and roomy stowaway and storage spaces are only the beginning of feeling like a VIP. The service by the crew was frequent and I was never left waiting for anything.
Delta One Suite In-Flight Menu
The food and beverage options on board was another gourmet experience. Delta One flights out of LAX partner with Mark & Vinny’s – a notable LA Italian restaurant – to prepare the on flight meals.
Is Business Class Worth the Price?
You can only access the lounge with a Delta One ticket, so it’s pretty exclusive. But if your budget or points balance allows, I could not recommend the upgrade enough – it cured my post-holiday blues on the flight home.
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