Chase’s Modern and Cozy Sapphire Lounge by the Club with Etihad Airways at JFK
by Krish Patel
Chase has a collection of modern and stunning airport lounges, one of which is situated within New York’s JFK. Located in Terminal Four post security on the mezzanine level, the Sapphire Lounge is open from 5 AM to 11 PM and features plenty of comfortable seating, individually plated food items at the buffet, a flagship bar, and beautiful artwork from the J.P. Morgan artwork collection. The Sapphire Lounge at JFK is one that is worth going out of your way for.
JFK Chase Sapphire Lounge Access
The Lounge is accessible to those with the Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card ($550 annual fee), the J.P. Morgan Reserve, or the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card (no longer available to new applicants). The latter credit card includes unlimited guest access, while the first two Chase credit cards include up to two complimentary guests. Additional guests can enter the lounge at a fee of $27 per person. Priority Pass members can access the lounge once per calendar year, and additional visits cost $75 per person.
The Chase Sapphire Lounge at JFK is unique because it is made in partnership with Etihad Airways. Etihad’s First and Business Class passengers can access the lounge for free and won’t have to wait for space to open up if the lounge is at maximum capacity.
JFK Sapphire Lounge Seating, Ambiance, Amenities, and Layout
The Sapphire Lounge at JFK isn’t the largest in the Chase network and only spans 7,600 square feet. However, within that 7,600 square feet of space are some luxurious amenities and plenty of comfortable seating. Upon entry, you’ll notice elegant finishes in a comfortable seating area that feels well put together like someone’s nicely decorated living room. A lot of the seating in this lounge features table space and charging ports. It’s possible to have food ordered directly to your table by scanning the QR code and viewing the menu.
At various parts of the lounge, you’ll notice brassy gold accents, velvety-soft textures, and pops of bold color. The space feels well-lit, with plenty of lighting. There’s stylish decor lining the shelves of the main seating area, as well as botanical plants adorning the corners of the seating area.
Behind, to the left, and to the right of the main seating area are smaller spaces with comfortable seating. The seating area left of the bar feels quite secluded and spacious, with comfortable seating you’d expect to find in a cozy living room. You’ll find one work style cubicle, which isn’t that private, but offers conveniently located charging outlets. The other two seating areas felt less private during my visit, but are stocked with comfortable furniture for guests to enjoy.
The Sapphire Lounge offers epic views of terminal four’s gates and the large windows allow for plenty of natural light during the day. You can get a good view of the aircraft at both the A and B gates, given the lounge’s central location between both concourses.
Throughout the space, you’ll notice inspiring works of art supplied from the J.P. Morgan artwork collection. Parts of the lounge feel more like a cozy art museum, as the works of art also have descriptions on each piece.
There are spacious and clean bathrooms in this lounge, as well as shower suites. You can reserve one of the shower suites at the front desk, however, I didn’t take advantage of this service. Inside the bathrooms are skincare amenities from Apotheke, a Brooklyn-based brand.
Chef-Inspired Food and Drinks
One of the best parts of the Sapphire Lounge are the chef-curated dishes. The buffet isn’t the largest in a lounge, but having individually plated food items really elevates the dining experience. I would rate the lounge food here marginally higher than Amex.
There’s a selection of small bites, as well as trays to sample food items. I highly recommend the cauliflower curry, which is on point. Some other good food options include the burrata with pesto and the fried potatoes.
Rounding the corner is a selection of non-alcoholic beverages, an espresso machine with drip coffee, and a few small desserts. The coffee in the lounge is supplied from Joe’s Coffee, a local New York company. You also have a selection of flavored water to choose from. In terms of desserts, there are chocolate chip cookies, brownie squares, biscotti, and lemon squares.
The focal point of the lounge is the bar, which offers a selection of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. You have plenty of options for wine, beer, liqueurs, cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks.. The signature beverage is the Sapphire Cocktail, which I enjoyed as a mocktail. I was impressed by the flavors within the beverage and it seemed to be the perfect combination of sweet and sour to kick off a trip.
While you can order food directly to your table by scanning the QR code, I was satisfied with the buffet and didn’t take advantage of this offering. Some of the dishes you can order are the signature Sapphire Burger or the Asian-inspired Sapphire Noodles, both of which are curated by local New York-based chefs.
Overall Impression
If you have a credit card that grants entry, I would recommend that you go out of your way to access this lounge. However, it’s worth signing up for a Priority Pass membership on one of your credit cards if you don’t have a card that includes a lounge membership. The delicious food, comfortable seating, and amenities that allow you to relax before taking off make this a nice lounge. Biggest doesn’t always mean best, and that’s especially true with this lounge.