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Calling all travelers who judge an airport not by its TSA lines but by its truffle toast: New York’s JFK just scored big in a new roundup of the world’s best airport lounges for food lovers. According to the latest list from Jesse Neugarten of Dollar Flight Club, the Chelsea Lounge, a joint venture by American Airlines and British Airways in Terminal 8, ranks among the globe’s top seven lounges for gourmet dining.
And we’re not talking sad buffet spreads. The Chelsea Lounge’s à la carte menu is a true pre-flight indulgence, featuring seasonal dishes crafted by chefs tied to the James Beard Foundation like chilled English pea soup, curry sweet potato bisque and roasted salmon alongside British nods like afternoon tea and New York-style toffee cheesecake. Not bad for something you can order in airport socks.
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At the center of it all is a circular Champagne bar that’s basically a travel influencer’s dream. Premium pours from the likes of Moët, Roederer and Krug 170ème Édition (which retails for $200-plus) flow freely, backed by a full roster of wines, whiskeys and cocktails.
Access to the Chelsea Lounge is, unsurprisingly, exclusive. Entry is reserved for Flagship First and Flagship Business Plus passengers on American, or First Class travelers on British Airways long-haul flights. Certain elite loyalty members like ConciergeKey and BA Club Gold also get through the velvet rope.
What makes the lounge even more appealing (beyond the champers)? Its ambiance. Travelers can dine fireside with table service, creating a restaurant-like experience that feels miles from terminal chaos. And with JFK’s Terminal 8 upgrades complete, the space itself is a sleek, art-filled retreat.
Rounding out the ranking were lounges at CDG (Air France’s Michelin-starred La Première Lounge took top honors), Istanbul, Dubai and LAX. But for New York-based globetrotters with a taste for the finer things, Chelsea Lounge is the city’s high-flying culinary heavyweight.
The next time you’re passing through JFK, maybe skip the terminal pretzel. If you’ve got the right boarding pass—or the right loyalty tier—there’s a better table waiting.