The biggest news about the new Delta One Lounge might surprise you and other information – The Points Guy

Delta Air Lines ushers in a new era with the opening of its first Delta One lounge.

This network of business-class lounges has been years in the making and is a major step forward for Delta, an airline that has always prioritized providing a premium passenger experience in every cabin.

Now, Delta One business class travelers are in for a major upgrade as, starting Wednesday, they can enjoy the airline’s Delta One lounge at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). York.

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This nearly 40,000 square foot space is probably the nicest and most luxurious lounge in the entire country. (Here’s the full TPG review if you haven’t seen it yet.)

Although Delta may be a few years behind American and United in offering a dedicated business class lounge, the airline is making a splash with the opening of JFK.

That said, there’s more to the story than just the opening of this stunning new facility. TPG interviewed Claude Roussel, Vice President of Delta Sky Clubs and Lounge Experience, about all things lounges, and here’s what you need to know from the man behind them all.

Good Seats: The Ultimate Guide to Delta One Suites

Goodbye overpopulation

Sure, the Delta One Lounge is big news for business class travelers, but it’s arguably even bigger news for Delta travelers passing through the carrier’s JFK hub.

Indeed, the overcrowding of the lounges of this terminal will lead to Finally it will be ancient history, declared Roussel. “No more queues, no more queues, no more queues in our Concourse B Sky Club,” he exclaimed.

With the opening of nearly 40,000 square feet of new lounges capable of accommodating 515 passengers, Delta’s hub at JFK is now getting some long-needed relief.

Delta will direct all of its business class passengers to this new lounge, which, according to Roussel’s data, will result in an end to overcrowding in JFK’s Sky Clubs.

The airline opened a new Sky Club in Concourse A in July 2023, but the existing space in Concourse B still experienced long queues at times.

“This will finally give some relief to our Concourse B Sky Club. We’ve been waiting for this for years, and it’s finally here,” he added.

New service concept

As salon chef, Roussel is responsible for everything: catering, amenities, service and even the champagne selection.

In the Delta One Lounge, Rouseel is excited to launch a new service concept: ambassadors will provide service at headquarters.

“They will come and welcome you. They will offer you still or sparkling water, they will give you silverware. They can order a drink from the bar and bring it to your table,” he explained.

This level of personalized service is rare in any airport lounge, and Delta is now introducing it to its largest club yet. It’s delivered by more than 200 employees, Rouseel said, who “are at the center of everything we do.”

How can the team implement this new standard? “Training, training, training to really ensure that we are providing the best level of service possible,” he explained.

It remains to be seen whether Delta will be able to successfully implement such a demanding service in a salon, but it is definitely setting the bar high.

Other new locations: Inside Delta’s stunning new Sky Club in Kansas City

In-depth expertise makes the salon shine

Speaking of raising the bar, the Delta One Lounge is launching a dining experience unlike any U.S. airport lounge. With a 140-seat brasserie, as well as a Market and Bakery buffet area and a signature bar, this space could offer the best gastronomic experiences among American airports.

And Roussel is perhaps the ideal man to carry out this mission. “I have 30 years of experience in the hotel and restaurant industry, with some of my teams having the same background, very heavy in the hotel industry,” he said.

This deep expertise in hospitality has allowed Roussel to “achieve the impossible.” He absolutely wanted roast chicken and chocolate soufflé to be on the brasserie’s menu. (The man knows the keys to my heart.)

But when he presented his ideas to the team, they immediately said it wouldn’t work. Roussel is used to hearing “no” for an answer, but his experience building and managing restaurants has shown him that it’s actually possible.

18 months after that first conversation with the team, a roast chicken and chocolate soufflé are available in the lounge.

Well-designed equipment leads the way

The Delta One Lounge offers many amenities: dining room, fireplace, terrace, spa, showers and much more.

But sometimes it’s the smallest things that are the most revolutionary.

In the Delta One lounge, the airline is launching a new service that I’ve never seen before in all my travels: the ability to borrow a second monitor to make catching up on work easier.

The combination, made in collaboration with Espresso Displays, will offer travelers a 15.4-inch screen to use while in the lounge. These tilt and height adjustable monitors will be useful for those looking to work on the road.

I look forward to seeing how this approval is received, as it is one that I am personally excited about.

What’s Next for Delta One Lounges

Delta is not resting on its laurels. This year, the carrier plans to open two additional Delta One lounges: one in Los Angeles and another in Boston.

The first will open in October and the second in November, Roussel told TPG.

The Los Angeles space will offer approximately 10,000 square feet of space, as well as a year-round terrace with views of the apron, runways and the Hollywood Hills in the distance.

Meanwhile, the Boston outpost will be just 6,300 square feet (with seating for 120 customers). This will be the smallest Delta One lounge to date.

As for what travelers can expect, Roussel said “the experience will be special service at every seat.”

“You won’t have all the amenities because we don’t have space. We won’t be able to do wellness treatments. But we will have the same level of food and drink, the same level of attention , the same level of care and services” across the network.

And if the JFK outpost is any indication, Delta travelers will appreciate these upcoming spaces, too.

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