Update: The Airspace lounge at JFK closed permanently on August 31, 2018.
I took a mileage run to Baltimore last fall and was very pleasantly surprised by the Airspace Lounge at BWI. It’s a public lounge in Terminal D with a very reasonable $20 entrance fee. However, it’s free to American Express Platinum cardholders and up to two guests. One alcoholic drink from the bar and one food item from the menu are complimentary with each admission (even if it’s a free Platinum Card admission), plus there’s free soda, tea, and Peet’s coffee. Overall I was very impressed.
Airspace is expanding to CLE and just announced today that it will be opening in JFK. From the press release:
The newest Airspace Lounge facility operated by Swissport is scheduled to open in May 2013 and will be conveniently located near Gate 24 of T5, which serves JetBlue Airways (JBLU), Hawaiian Airlines (HA), and beginning in April 2013, Aer Lingus (AERL.L). Update: The JFK location has since closed, but Airspace remains open in San Jose and Cleveland.
Airspace Lounge currently serves airline passengers at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and is opening March 2013 at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE). Â Redefining the airport lounge experience for lounge customers, Airspace Lounge offers any passenger flying on any airline a modern, relaxing atmosphere and all-inclusive amenities via the purchase of a daily entry pass; no long term membership is required.
This looks like a good opportunity for those who fly on carriers like Hawaiian that don’t have their own lounge in JFK and no alliance partnership agreements that would get you access elsewhere. After all, that’s why I used the Airspace Lounge in BWI: United closed their club several years ago.
Although the amenities, food, drinks, and WiFi were all superior to a typical airport lounge, I guess the only thing that throws me off is the small size and the glass walls. It felt a bit like being in a fishbowl at BWI, and it could get crowded at times. Still, better than being outside in the main terminal. We’ll have to wait and see what the new facilities will look like at JFK, but you can check out a couple promotional renderings for now.
