News and notes from around the interweb:
- The Delta One business class lounge at New York JFK would be a fantastic place to be throughout most of the day, but in the evenings before the transatlantic peak the place is a zoo and not at all relaxing. Here’s a line to get in.
Then there's the issue of what it's like inside if they are at capacity.
I've been through that lounge a few times recently and even at full-ℎ, it starts to loose it's luster real quick."At capacity" — it would, in my opinion, be pretty uncomfortable– relative to the…
— JonNYC (@xJonNYC) July 6, 2025
There’s no way this lounge is worth standing in this line for. You’d think the new Sky Club, Amex lounge plus Chase and Capital One lounges in the terminal (not to mention Virgin Clubhouse to Virgin passengers who have access here) would help the lounge crowding issue. But it doesn’t. (Any of those without a line would be better than standing outside the lounge.)
The nicer the lounge, the more people are going to show up. And the longer they’re going to stay. The more they are going to eat. And that’s even factoring that you know going in that they’re going to stay longer and eat more. Pro-tip, though, take the elevator and use the entrance on the departures (gate) level at this lounge instead.
I’d add that I experienced something similar at Air Canada’s Signature Suite in Toronto though I understand Air Canada will be expanding the space this year – including growing the kitchen and adding staff.
- I’m headed to Europe for a micro-retirement later this month.
They are calling vacations 'Micro-retirements' now. pic.twitter.com/3D4p7F7hX4
— Bizlet (@bizlet7) July 6, 2025
- 2500 bonus miles for downloading the Vietnam Airlines app
- In defense of tourist traps. There’s a certain kind of destination which is actually quite good! Angelina’s on the Rue di Rivoli (next to Le Meurice Hotel) is an absolute tourist trap. Yet the hot chocolate *is* absolutely incredible.
But don’t eat near the Eiffel Tower! Those restaurants aren’t generally any good, but there are a lot of people nearby who need to be fed. Those people aren’t traveling to the destination for the food, they just happen to be there. Rents are high, prices are high and quality is low. Here’s the trick to making tourist trap visits great.
- Airport staff paid bonuses to catch passengers with oversized cabin bags (HT: Several of you) Spirit Airlines stopped doing this in the fall, to conserve cash.
A leaked email reveals gate agents are offered £1 for ‘every bag taken’ from easyJet passengers — who are then charged to put their carry-on luggage in the hold
- Wut.
AirAsia Incident:Lesson for all!
While flying AirAsia to Bangkok, an Asian passenger walked through the first row of economy class, accidentally kicking a seated passenger. This sparked a heated exchange when a foreigner pointed out that the area isn’t meant for passing.… pic.twitter.com/tJgaQc96k5
— Fahad Naim (@Fahadnaimb) July 6, 2025
- Airlines and hotels get the headlines, but car rental fees are actually the most ridiculous. And taxes imposed on car rentals even more so. It’s very convenient for states and localities to tax out of towners this way, since they cannot vote.
Here’s a unique tax you may not have seen before – New Jersey’s “Domestic Security Fee” is $5 per day on every rental originating in the state, for up to 28 days ($140). It started in 2002 ($2/day, then raised to $5 in 2006). The first $2 goes to the New Jersey Domestic Security Account for counter‑terrorism, emergency‑preparedness, and state police programs, while the remaining $3 goes straight into the state’s general fund.
Here’s a new car rental fee: “domestic security”?@garyleff pic.twitter.com/iC3y2QifqP
— Rakesh Agrawal (@RakeshSFNYC) July 7, 2025
While technically permissible, taxes like this aimed at out of state residents always seemed constituionally sketchy (dormant commerce clause would forbid discrimination against interstate commerce; the Privileges and immunities clause protects U.S. citizens from discriminatory state treatment; and it would seem to tax the right to travel).
I totally agree. Delta shouldn’t allow other flight passengers to the Delta one lounge. I never got into Korean air first class lounge with delta one ticket.
These supposedly “premium” lounges are generally overrated. I was in the PHL FL over the weekend. I utterly shocked me that it took over six years to get this space built. Not particularly large and very crowded. Essentially I sat almost in the middle of a seven people family. The food was marginally better than AC food.
That’s what you’re paying a premium price for. Can you imagine.
@Don G
“I totally agree. Delta shouldn’t allow other flight passengers to the Delta one lounge. I never got into Korean air first class lounge with delta one ticket.”
Likely because a Delta one ticket is a business class ticket. Unlike Korean, Delta doesn’t fly an international first class product.
NOPE – not a chance.
The Premium line experience is just not worth it.
Sky high fares and one of the largest lounges. And still a wait.
Over at Newark, Scott Kirby says this is the summer of unprecedented discounts
Once again, can’t we just have airports that let you get through them fast enough to not require a Fancy Airport Lounge?
United also said that Newark was the most on time NYC area airport last month. Could be true, we will see when the DOT reports are out. The new fiber cable for ATC is in place as well.
In my experience the United lounges are indeed less crowded (but that was already true the last couple of years).
Bill
United doesn’t allow transcon Polaris passengers in their lounge. The transcon market is bigger than any international market.
Re: Delta One Lounge — Hopefully July 4 Sunday is as busy as it gets. Curious to hear @1990’s input on this from the start of the rush. On Friday July 4 there was no line at all (perhaps unsurprisingly).
I was curious so throughout the day yesterday I checked the wait times for Cap 1 at JFK and it was always “Not Busy”. Still hasn’t fully caught on yet it seems.
I tried the Delta One lounge at JFK on Monday evening a couple of weeks ago. I was excited to try it and it was indeed very nice. Better food & beverage, also a nice setting/good service. While I didn’t have to wait to get in, inside it was super crowded and noisy. The line/wait for a table at the restaurant was too long so didn’t bother with it. Glad to have this option, but I’m not rushing back.
My experience at JFK T4 on Thursday, July 3 was fine; it was busy, there was about a 10 minute wait to enter the lounge, and a 30 minutes wait for the dining once inside. It’s all about expectation setting; I had been before, I know this was a holiday weekend, and I planned to go to the airport early. The lounge is still the best at T4 and competes directly with AA’s best lounge, Chelsea at T8, and UA’s Polaris at EWR Terminal C. I still prefer DeltaOne for the full experience, though admittedly Chelsea is more ‘private’ and ‘exclusive.’ I’ve never seen a line or crowd there, even at peak times. @L737, what else would you like to know?!
Yes to Angelina’s. Touristy, but amazing hot chocolate.
@1990 — the best way to sneak in when you don’t have access! (Kidding, of course 🙂 )
I tried the JFK Delta One lounge on Sunday. For me, the fact that I could have a decent kosher meal – a real meal rather than a TV Dinner – would have made it worthwhile especially if I hadn’t been able to order a kosher meal on the flight. I agree that it would be frustrating to get there and find it with a long line.