Chase Sapphire Lounge at JFK’s Terminal 4 in New York City: Access and Amenities
- Mark Vogel
- Apr 3
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 11
JFK Airport in New York City ✈
I reached John F. Kennedy International Airport’s Terminal 4 in New York City with a three-hour cushion before boarding so I could explore the new Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club with Etihad Airways. After clearing the main security checkpoint, I followed the overhead placards to the lounge.
Admission took less than a minute. Access rules are clear: Sapphire Reserve, J. P. Morgan Reserve, and legacy Ritz-Carlton cardholders get in through Priority Pass with two complimentary guests. Etihad first- and business-class travelers and Etihad Guest Platinum or Gold elites may also enter. All other Priority Pass members receive one free visit per calendar year and then pay seventy-five dollars per visit if space allows, and everyone is capped at a three-hour stay.
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“I wrapped up with a cappuccino and a granola bar from the kosher basket, paused by the window to watch an Air France A350 taxi out, and then walked back into the concourse.”
Once inside, the first impression is the design. Herringbone oak flooring leads from reception into a large central hall where curving ceiling coves hide warm white LED strips. Floor-to-ceiling windows line the entire airfield side, delivering runway views and natural light that reaches deep into the room. The windows highlight a color palette of muted grays, camel-toned leather, and matte black accents. A triptych of abstract artwork - bold splashes of orange, blue, and magenta - hangs on a textured plaster wall just past the entrance, setting a modern gallery tone while still feeling relaxed. Tall planters filled with bird-of-paradise and philodendron break up the seating clusters and soften the edges of the open concept.
Seating is deliberately zoned. Near the glass, low-slung tan swivel chairs cluster around round oak tables; they give aviators a direct view of taxiing Delta, Virgin, and ITA Airways jets. Farther back, charcoal-gray lounge chairs encircle coffee tables on an oval carpet, perfect for small groups nursing drinks. A semi-enclosed quiet corridor branches off the main lounge and runs almost the length of the space. It features two-top marble tables, soft gray armchairs, dim overhead spots, and colorful vertical-stripe prints that inject some brightness without becoming loud. I settled there to draft notes and appreciated that conversational noise from the bar never reached this nook.
The bar cannot be missed. It curves almost the entire width of the lounge, wrapped in blonde wood topped by a stone counter and faced by plum-colored barstools. Back-lit shelving rises to the ceiling and shows neat rows of spirits and wine bottles; the glow anchors the room after sunset. Bartenders prepare espresso drinks, shake classic cocktails like a Manhattan, and pour local drafts such as Brooklyn Lager. Beverage orders, like food, run through a QR-code system, yet servers crisscross the floor taking requests for anyone who prefers human interaction.
Dining centers on a short buffet plus a made-to-order menu. The buffet offered roasted cauliflower, za’atar-spiced chicken, saffron rice, and two cold salads on my visit. Scanning the code at the table unlocked an à-la-carte page with a Sapphire burger, lamb meatballs over couscous, a kale Caesar, and miso ramen. Plates arrived quickly and were plated restaurant-style, not dumped in disposable bowls. The kitchen tags items vegetarian, vegan, and halal, though it lacks a hot kosher station. I asked about kosher choices and the bartender produced a sealed basket with Nature Valley granola bars, Snyder’s pretzels, and a pouch of dried mango - small but genuinely sealed and labeled.
Wi-Fi clocked 140 Mbps down and 110 Mbps up on my test, sufficient for a high-resolution video call. USB-A, USB-C, and standard power sockets sit between nearly every seat, including the window bar where travelers can plug in and watch the apron activity. Large monitors near the center wall rotate flight information, but the lounge skips boarding announcements, so I relied on the airline app.
Bathrooms sit behind the bar. Three shower suites - one all-gender, one men’s, one women’s - are reservable through the QR system. My suite held a rainfall head, extra-thick towels, a bench, and full-size Apotheke products. Outside the shower corridor, two reflection rooms with frosted doors provide a private place for prayer, meditation, or simply disconnecting. A small children’s room near the bathrooms keeps families contained behind glass, and the door muffles animated shows playing on the wall-mounted screen.
Lighting and acoustics deserve mention. Carpet segments under most seating groups dampen footsteps, and the recessed ceiling strips supply enough illumination without glare. Only the bar area produces a lively buzz, and even there conversation levels stay comfortable. Elsewhere it felt more like a boutique hotel lobby than an airport facility.
Greenery runs the length of a banquette wall opposite the bar. Built-in planters cradle low-light foliage, and indirect light behind the planters casts a soft glow that keeps the dining zone from feeling utilitarian. Small marble tables form a second dining space along that wall, paired with mustard-yellow chairs that inject just enough color to break the minimalist pattern.
Comparing nearby competitors, the lounge feels more serene than the enormous Centurion Lounge next door and rarely hits the peak wait times that plague Terminal 4’s Delta Sky Club. The layout prioritizes sightlines to the ramp and sets distinct atmospheres - social at the bar, focused in the corridor, and relaxed at the window seats. That variety helps the lounge absorb an early-evening rush without any one area reaching capacity.
I wrapped up with a cappuccino and a granola bar from the kosher basket, paused by the window to watch an Air France A350 taxi out, and then walked back into the concourse. The gate sat four minutes away, proving how convenient the location is for most A-side departures.
The Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club with Etihad Airways delivers a polished space that checks every pre-flight requirement: generous natural light, multiple seating moods, reliable Wi-Fi, showers stocked with quality products, and food prepared to order. Cardholders with Priority Pass through Chase and Etihad premium flyers receive uncomplicated access, and although full kosher meals are not yet on the menu, sealed kosher snacks are available for anyone who asks. I left refreshed and ready for a long flight, and I will build future Terminal 4 itineraries around another visit.
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