Air France JFK Lounge 2027: What You Need to Get In

Air France has revealed plans for a brand-new 2,700 square metre lounge at New York JFK's Terminal 1 - its largest lounge outside France. The lounge will open when Air France moves all its JFK flights to the new Terminal 1 in 2027, though exact opening dates have not yet been confirmed. With space for over 400 guests, dedicated La Première dining from a renowned French chef, and a reserved area for Flying Blue's top-tier members, this is a serious upgrade on what Air France currently offers in New York.

The lounge has been designed in collaboration with MARKS Brandimage - the same agency behind the recently renovated La Première lounge at Charles de Gaulle. It will span two levels and draw its design inspiration from French art and travel. The terminal itself is part of JFK's $19 billion redevelopment, with the full project due for completion in 2030.

Access will follow a tiered structure, with La Première passengers getting the most exclusive experience. Here is the full breakdown:

Note that Business Light fares are explicitly excluded - something worth checking before you book if lounge access is important to you. If you are travelling on a SkyTeam partner airline through JFK, it is worth confirming eligibility with your carrier in advance.

For points collectors, the relevant access tier is Flying Blue Elite Plus - the top publicly available status level in Air France-KLM's programme. Above that sits Flying Blue Ultimate, an invite-only tier that will get its own dedicated zone inside the lounge. If you hold elite status with a SkyTeam partner - such as Korean Air, Turkish Airlines, or Qatar Airways - you will also be eligible for access when travelling on a connecting itinerary through JFK.

Flying Blue miles can be earned through a wide range of UK credit cards and partners, and redeemed for Air France and KLM flights in addition to SkyTeam partners. If you are already collecting Avios and considering whether Flying Blue is worth pursuing alongside it, our points converter tool can help you compare the value of different currencies side by side.

Most UK passengers flying Air France to the US will connect through Paris CDG, but those routing via JFK - or originating a transatlantic journey there - will benefit directly. The new lounge also joins five other lounges announced for Terminal 1, including airline lounges from Korean Air, Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways, plus a Plaza Premium and Plaza Premium First lounge (one of which will serve arriving passengers). JFK Terminal 1 is shaping up to be one of the stronger lounge environments at any major US hub.

If you are planning a trip and want to scout lounge options at JFK or any other airport, the Airport Lounge List is a useful starting point for a complete guide to what is available.

There are a few important limitations worth flagging before you start planning a trip around this lounge:

In short, this is a confirmed plan rather than a bookable reality. It is worth knowing about now so you can factor it into future trip planning - especially if you are considering positioning flights to JFK or booking Air France transatlantic business class.

Air France has confirmed the lounge will be located in the new Terminal 1 when it moves its JFK flights there in 2027, but a specific opening date has not yet been announced. The full JFK Terminal 1 redevelopment is due to complete in 2030.

Access is confirmed for Flying Blue Elite Plus members, which is the tier above Gold. Flying Blue Gold members are not listed as eligible for the new lounge based on the details announced so far, though SkyTeam partner airline elite members flying on eligible itineraries will also qualify.

Based on the access criteria announced, the lounge will be restricted to La Première and Business (excluding Business Light) ticket holders, Flying Blue Elite Plus and Ultimate members, and eligible SkyTeam partner travellers. Priority Pass and third-party credit card lounge passes are not listed as accepted access methods.

Five other lounges have been announced for Terminal 1 alongside the Air France lounge: Korean Air, Turkish Airlines, and Qatar Airways airline lounges, plus a Plaza Premium lounge and a Plaza Premium First lounge - one of which will operate as an arrivals lounge.

Air France's new JFK lounge is a genuinely impressive addition on paper - 2,700 square metres, 400+ seats, two levels, and a dedicated La Première dining experience from a top French chef. It will be the airline's largest lounge anywhere outside France. The key caveats are that no exact opening date has been confirmed and Business Light fares are excluded, so it only benefits travellers in genuine premium cabins or with Flying Blue Elite Plus status or above. If you are building a travel strategy around Air France or SkyTeam, this is a strong reason to pursue Flying Blue status - and it makes JFK a more compelling hub than it has historically been for European carrier travellers. Watch this space for a confirmed opening date as 2027 approaches.

These are the top credit card welcome bonuses we're tracking. Offers change frequently - see all cards.

1. HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard: Receive 70,000 reward points when you spend £2,000 on your card in the first 90 ... (£2.9/yr)

2. Business Platinum Card: 50,000 points after spending £6,000 in 3 months (£6.5/yr)

3. Barclaycard Avios Plus: 25,000 Avios if you spend £3,000 in the first three months (£2.4/yr)

Looking to redeem your points? Here's what's available right now (via Award Travel Finder):

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Status Matches:

• Flying Blue Status Match - Air France / KLM (SkyTeam)

• Flying Blue (New Markets) - Air France / KLM (SkyTeam)

• Flying Blue UK (BA Status Holders) - Air France / KLM (SkyTeam)

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