Wingtips Lounge JFK: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City has been renovated significantly. Terminal 4’s Wingtips Lounge has relocated to a larger, brighter, and more inviting location to serve its Priority Pass customers better. As a result of the relocation, significant improvements have been made to in-flight amenities.
Swiss Air Lines established a modern new lounge in Terminal 4, a short distance from the previous Wingtips site, just before the COVID-19 pandemic.
This contemporary lounge, reserved for business class and elite frequent fliers of the Swiss flag carrier and its partners, features several signature design aspects of the Swiss airline.
However, during the epidemic, Switzerland moved its JFK operations to Terminal 1 (where the other Lufthansa Group airlines are based), and the nearly year-old lounge area is now vacant.
After a few months of being closed, the Wingtips location at JFK reopened just down the hall in the posh new digs that the Swiss had left.
Getting into Wingtips Lounge JFK
Airport Terminal Services is a private company that manages the Wingtips Lounge independently. As a result of the company’s partnership with Priority Pass, all passengers departing from JFK get access to the airport’s lounge.
A Priority Pass membership, which comes with many of our top-recommended credit cards, and a same-day boarding pass are all required.
Wingtips have contracts with several airlines departing from Terminal 4 to provide a lounge for their premium cabin passengers and frequent elite travelers.
Singapore Airlines is included in this group because it let its business-class passengers use the (better) Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse during the pandemic.
Since early August, those customers are welcome to use the Wingtips lounge instead. (First-class passengers flying in Suites continue to have access to the Clubhouse before their flights.)
Day passes are available at Wingtips for $50 for four hours. Everyone riding the plane can take advantage of this deal.
You’ll discover the Wingtips outpost just outside the leading security checkpoint and in the other direction from the American Express Centurion Lounge. Many signs and a delineated doorway point the way inside.
The Wingtips Lounge JFK opens at 8 a.m. every day; on Monday through Wednesday and Saturday, it closes at 8 p.m.; on Thursday through Saturday and Sunday, it closes at 9 p.m.
Priority Pass access is restricted after 4 p.m. due to the lounge’s high volume of visitors throughout the afternoon and early evening when the majority of transatlantic flights depart.
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Plans for the Wingtips Lounge JFK
In the Wingtips Lounge JFK, two distinct areas are separated by a pair of doors. Most visitors will enter through the entrance on the right. (We’ll talk more about what’s behind that door on the left later.)
Once inside, you’ll see that Wingtips has kept every one of Switzerland’s trademark design aspects, down to the typography and the wood grain dividers between tables. With its generous 3,574 square feet of area, this venue easily accommodates 142 guests.
The design has evolved since the days of the worn-out original Wingtips sofa. The new lounge’s design is also based on the Swiss model. One of the main dining spaces features high-top tables near the entryway, while the other features more conventional two- and four-top booths.
To the rear of the lounge is a sizable bar counter with chairs, perfect for individuals who need to do some work while relaxing. A large bench with seats and a few separate recliners is behind here.
Until 2022, the Wingtips Lounge was under renovation.
In November 2021, we decided to check out the lounge and were unsatisfied. The seating was tight, and there was barely enough alcohol. We believed it needed some time to bounce back from the Covid Shutdown. About eight months later, in July of 2022, we returned and had to double-verify that we were in the same lounge.
The cold but awkward spinning seat pods had been removed, and a bright, open, soothing new room had taken place. Let’s check out the revamped lounge, and remember that prior opinions about the Louge no longer apply.
Wingtips Lounge JFK Price
The cover charge for the lounge is $55 per person for those who wish to wander in without making a reservation. Membership deals are far better if you frequently use this terminal, but overall, you should look at a more general membership, such as Priority Pass.
Many of the guests at the Wingtips Lounge will be flying on one of the several airlines for whom it serves as a spillover lounge. In addition to being a Membership Lounge, it is accessible with various Lounge Passes.
The lounge is at a prime spot, following security checkpoints in Terminal 4 at JFK Airport. The lounge is below and to the right after passing through security, although all guests are directed to the left.
The most challenging aspect of finding it is stumbling upon it in the first place, given that its proximity to security measures is unexpected.
Cozy Spot for Kicking Back in Your Wingtips
It appears very different now than a few months ago after completing a significant renovation. With the large windows stretching from floor to ceiling, the once-dark parlor is now flooded with light and has a refreshingly airy atmosphere.
Extended bar-style seating runs along the front windows, providing excellent people-watching opportunities. In addition, entertaining binoculars allow you to look at the action closer.
Attractive wooden dividers section off the main room into private offices. In a relaxing and pleasant setting provided by plush, faux-leather seating options.
You can discover your sanctuary in one of many secluded nooks and crannies and completely forget the chaos outside.
Various suitable dining tables are also available for those willing to try the available fare. We recommend finding a more permanent place to sit for your meal.
If you’re looking for a peaceful place to watch TV or have kids who need something to do, several tables are set up in the TV room.
Stone tiling and up-to-date fixtures and fittings give the restrooms a sophisticated look. The workers stationed throughout the venue swiftly removed used cutlery and glasses.
Provisions for Refreshment in the Wingtips Lounge JFK
Lounge amenities are minimal. As we’ve already mentioned, plenty of sitting options and designated quiet and lively zones exist.
Many charging alternatives are available, and all standard wall plug configurations (including three-pin, two-pin US, European Union (EU), and USB) are catered to. We tried the wireless charging ports but had no success.
The only item lacking was a USB-C-USB-C port, which annoyingly appears on specific chargers. There is always enough of everything for us to get by.
There is free Wifi, and while we didn’t put it to the test, we had no trouble accessing our favorite websites or social media platforms.
Cocktails and Wingtips
The bar has an excellent assortment of drinks. Self-service was the most noteworthy change. There were a total of three beverage stations available—alcoholic beverages of various types.
A decent variety of bottled beers was available, including fan favorites like Corona and Red Stripe and some exciting craft options. The chiller worked fine, except the bottlenecks would warm up if left out for too long.
The wine fridge was right there, too. There was a fine selection, and it was self-service again. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Rose, and Prosecco were among the offerings, along with reds like Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. From a little more negative vantage point, there were no Champagne glasses and the Prosecco.
The Spirits Bar was the last part of the establishment. It’s unusual to find a bar that allows customers to serve themselves from a range of booze, but this one did. There was just one variety of alcoholic beverages, and the labels were terrible.
All the fixings and mixers you could want were there as well. Given that Martinis were self-serve, we indulged in a monstrous round.
The soft drinks section featured soda in cans and a selection of juices and ice-cold filtered water. A number of the coffee machines in the lobby also served off quite respectable cups of joe.
Conclusion
Is it a good idea to visit the Wingtips Lounge JFK? We always consider two factors: how the lounge stacks up against similar options and how it stacks up against having no lounge access.
The first question was simply because we had only one possible answer. Compared to other lounges we have visited, this one holds its own rather well.
It wasn’t a business class suite but lovely and peaceful, with good food and drinks. While others may prefer bar service, the self-service alternative is considerably more convenient.
Is the bar better or worse than the other alternatives on the concourse? That’s a trickier subject to answer. To begin with, it is a good question, and it does depend on your payment.
The $55 price tag is not appealing with such limited meal options. You could eat and drink considerably more comfortably at one of the terminal’s restaurants for that price.
