JFK Terminal 5 Lounges: What to Know – NerdWallet

If you’re flying through New York-John F. Kennedy Airport anytime soon, you may be looking for a good way to spend your time while you wait for your flight. Airport lounges can help elevate your travel experience with less crowded seating, complimentary food and sometimes even showers. 

Happily, for those traveling from or transiting through New York-JFK, there are many lounge options available to you, Does JFK Terminal 5 have a lounge? Happily, yes.

Let’s look at JFK’s terminal 5 lounges, how you can access them and what amenities they provide. 

JFK is a massive airport with multiple terminals and lounges inside each. Terminal 5 is no exception, and passengers have four different lounge prospects. These include:

• JetBlue Rooftop and Wooftop Terrace.

Only one of these options, the Aer Lingus Lounge, is a traditional airport lounge, but the rest also provide a variety of amenities for travelers. 

Lounges are, by their nature, restrictive. They’re often limited in size and only provide access if you have the proper credentials. In addition, each of these lounges has different requirements for entry. 

• Aer Lingus Lounge: Available to business class passengers on Aer Lingus, Aer Club elite members and day pass holders.

• USO Lounge: Only active duty, reserve and National Guard members, along with their families, can use this lounge.

• JetBlue Rooftop and Wooftop Terrace: Available to all passengers in Terminal 5.

• BeRelax Spa: All passengers can purchase spa services. Those with a Priority Pass Select membership from Chase can receive a complimentary massage.

USO lounges are available exclusively to active-duty service members and their families. Staffed by volunteers, USO lounges allow those traveling to relax in a private space. There are more than 250 locations worldwide, and each one provides a different experience. You don’t always need to clear airport security to access them, which is the case at JFK. You’ll find it across from baggage carousel 3 at Terminal 5.

Inside, you can expect to find food and drinks, including coffee and tea. Charging stations and computers with common access card access are also available. Finally, entertainment is provided in the form of movies and video games, with a dedicated children’s area also available. 

Although you’ll need to go back through security if you’re departing from Terminal 5, the USO lounge can offer a calming pre-flight experience to service members during travel. You can visit daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

If you’d rather spend your time at a more traditional airport lounge, the Aer Lingus lounge — located across from Gate 26 — offers a wide variety of amenities, including complimentary food and drinks, a business center, showers and free Wi-Fi. Note that alcohol is among its complimentary offerings, unlike at the USO lounge. 

Aer Lingus is not part of any airline alliance, which means those with top-tier status on other airlines cannot get in. Instead, frequent flyers on Aer Lingus and those in business class are the only ones entitled to complimentary access. 

However, Aer Lingus also sells day passes to its lounges for those looking for entry. The cost for this is 30 euros (about $32) per person, though be aware that Aer Lingus has temporarily halted pre-paid sales of these passes for JFK, so you’ll need to purchase your pass on arrival. 

Entry hours are from 12:45 p.m. until the airline’s final departure. 

If you’re traveling with a pet or are simply looking for a little fresh air, the Rooftop and Wooftop at JFK’s Terminal 5 presents a unique opportunity to get outside after clearing security.

It’s located across from Gate 28 within Terminal 5 and is available daily from 6 a.m.-11 p.m. Although this may be a chilly experience during the winter, it still presents an excellent opportunity for pet owners, especially if you’re boarding a long flight. 

The Rooftop and Wooftop also offer places to plug in and some good views to keep you and your pet entertained. 

This last lounge option is more of an honorable mention since it’s not a lounge at all. Instead, the BeRelax Spa is, well, a spa. In addition, it participates in Priority Pass, which means eligible members can receive complimentary massages.

Not all services are free with Priority Pass. As it stands, here are the options from which you can choose:

• Be Back 30-minute Lounger Massage.

• Be Back 15-minute Lounger Massage plus Aromatherapy and Oxygen.

• Head Up on Lounger 10-minute plus Aromatherapy and Oxygen.

• Be Feet on Lounger 10-minute plus Aromatherapy and Oxygen.

JFK’s Terminal 5 lounges provide excellent opportunities for travelers to relax and escape the crowds. Although access policies are different depending on which one you’re visiting, there is no lack of options. And don’t worry — if you’re not eligible for any of the more exclusive lounges, you can always visit the Rooftop and Wooftop for a change of scenery.