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Welcome to the club, JetBlue.
Or, as the New York-based carrier would prefer to say, “welcome to our house.”
JetBlue just took the wraps off its long-awaited first airport lounge, located in its flagship Terminal 5 at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
BlueHouse, as JetBlue calls its new lounge, is all about residential-inspired living in the heart of one of the busiest (and largely uninspiring) terminals at JFK.
It’s the airline’s first foray into offering a premium airport respite — one that finally puts JetBlue in the lounge game alongside its larger U.S. competitors.
BlueHouse opens as JetBlue looks to deepen loyalty among its most frequent (and profitable) flyers and spur more credit card sign-ups.
Frankly, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I received JetBlue’s invite to preview the space. I’ve been to more lounges than I can count, and the renderings JetBlue shared didn’t generate too much hype.
But after touring it, I can confidently say I was surprised, in mostly good ways. You probably will be, too, when it opens on Dec. 18.
Read on for a detailed first look.
JetBlue BlueHouse JFK location
You’ll find the JFK BlueHouse in Terminal 5 across from Gate 527.
The airline took over the space formerly housing an Aer Lingus lounge and an old TSA checkpoint to build out its BlueHouse.
The entrance is impossible to miss. It might just be the most visually appealing thing in all of Terminal 5 (aside from the fantastic tarmac views, of course).
All of JetBlue’s gates are connected airside, and when Terminal 6 opens next year, those gates will be connected airside as well.
The lounge is open daily from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m.
I also appreciated that the reception desk sits outside the lounge, preventing a lobby chokepoint with travelers who might not be eligible for entry.
JetBlue BlueHouse JFK access
If there’s one thing you won’t find in this lounge, it’s overcrowding — at least if you believe what JetBlue executives say.
JetBlue is intentionally keeping access tightly restricted at launch to avoid the long lines seen at other airport lounges.
At opening, the following travelers can access BlueHouse:
- Mosaic 4 members + 1 complimentary guest
- JetBlue Premier World Elite Mastercard® cardmembers + 1 complimentary guest
- Transatlantic Mint customers (with no guest)
Note that you need to purchase a confirmed same-time boarding pass for a Blue fare or above to be admitted to the lounge. (Basic economy tickets are excluded.)
Furthermore, lounge entry is limited to three hours before departure, and additional guests can be purchased for $39 per person.
Starting in February, JetBlue plans to expand paid access via day passes and memberships for:
- Mosaic 1, 2, and 3 members
- JetBlue Plus and Business card members
- Non-transatlantic Mint customers
- Annual BlueHouse members
We don’t yet know what that access policy will look like, but I’ll keep you posted when I find out.
JetBlue BlueHouse JFK layout
You may do a double-take when you enter BlueHouse.
On the one hand, you might think you’ve entered the lobby of a pre-war apartment building on NYC’s Upper West Side.
On the other hand, you’ll also realize that you’re unmistakably in a lounge designed by JetBlue.
Those design principles — an apartment-style Art Deco aesthetic with blues, oranges, and brass coloring — continue throughout the space.
The lounge measures 9,000 square feet, but the airline didn’t confirm any official capacity numbers. (I’d expect it to comfortably fit about 200 flyers.)
Perhaps the biggest surprise is that BlueHouse actually spans two stories. I didn’t realize there was room for a second level, and splitting it into two stories should help spread the crowds.
As you enter the main lounge area, you’ll pass through blue arches (a recurring design theme feature).
There’s plenty of seating underneath the airline’s new signature art installation that’s inspired by some of its top destinations (like the orca for Orlando’s theme parks).
This is also where you’ll find the signature bar and the central food station (more on the dining experience below).
Lining the perimeter of the room are some bar-style high-top seats (pointing directly into frosted glass windows).
There are a few nooks around the main relaxation room.
One of them is for the game room, which features JetBlue-colored checkers and chess games, playing cards, and a large TV.
The other nook offers more seating.
To get upstairs, you can take the elevator (adorned with a retro-style floor indicator embossed with BlueHouse branding) or the stairs.
I might recommend the stairs. I love the blue patterned railing, as well as all the art that JetBlue sourced for the stairwell (and really throughout the lounge).
In fact, some of the pieces were even made by airline employees. I wish I were as creative.
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Upstairs, you’ll find another dining and drink station, as well as plenty more seating.
JetBlue mostly went with couch- and bench-style seating, which should help make the space feel a bit more open.
The circular library-style area definitely adds to the homey vibe that the airline is going for.
Unlike the frosted windows downstairs, the upper level features clear views of Terminal 5’s departure curb and the TWA Hotel.
There’s also a small VIP room near the stairs, though JetBlue hasn’t said who will be invited to use it.
JetBlue BlueHouse JFK amenities
There aren’t any spas or showers here, but that’s not to say JetBlue forgot about amenities.
It just went with the more space- and budget-friendly ones.
For one, there are two phone booths (without sliding doors) on the upper level. The “on air” sign outside of them will automatically illuminate when someone is sitting inside.
There are also five open workstation-style seats at the back of the upper level.
Downstairs, you’ll find the aforementioned game room, as well as a photo booth near the restrooms.
Speaking of restrooms, there are five single-use stalls on the lower level, and there are gender-specific restrooms with one urinal and one stall (on the men’s side) upstairs.
I loved the bathroom design — it might not’ve felt as luxe as a Delta Sky Club (which wants to look like a Four Seasons lobby), but they felt distinctly JetBlue. Especially the cute pithy sayings referencing the “lav.”
The lounge has all the basics covered as well. There’s fast, free Wi-Fi and power outlets, USB-A, and USB-C ports at basically every seat.
There’s one amenity hidden in plain sight.
If you’re a Mosaic 4 member, you’ll receive a physical lounge key in the mail. You’ll still need to present your boarding pass to enter BlueHouse, but once inside, turn right and visit the JustAsk counter (which will be staffed with helpful JetBlue crewmembers to assist with travel needs).
Present your key at the JustAsk counter, and you’ll unlock one of several mailboxes filled with rotating JetBlue-themed trinkets (like playing cards or luggage tags).
It’s an unmistakably New York touch and a fun surprise.
JetBlue BlueHouse JFK dining
While I was pleasantly surprised by much of the lounge, the dining experience felt like the biggest (temporary) letdown.
Let me explain.
JetBlue’s Mint product is known for many things, one of which is stellar food and beverage service, perhaps even the best in the industry.
I would’ve expected that emphasis on the culinary experience to extend into the lounge, and in many ways, it does.
The beverage program is curated by Please Don’t Tell and The Greats of Craft, some of NYC’s most prominent names in drinks.
Coffee is from Joe Coffee, chai and matcha are from Brooklyn’s Dona, and teas are from Steven Smith Teamaker.
The bar serves a full menu, including JetBlue’s signature Mint Condition cocktail, and the bartender is happy to whip up your favorite creation.
The two beverage stations (one on the main level and one on the upper level) feature Eversys coffee machines, as well as water spouts and other nonalcoholic choices.
But the food is where things feel less premium.
The good news is JetBlue is teaming up with Union Square Events, Danny Meyer’s events arm, on the food offerings.
Union Square Events knows how to make food that doesn’t taste like you’re eating in the airport. (Trust me, I’ve visited their headquarters and seen firsthand how the grub is prepped.)
Everything is prepared daily, but because BlueHouse currently lacks a kitchen, dishes are catered in grab-and-go containers. Options include yogurt parfaits, fruit cups, salads, and wraps, but there’s no full buffet.
The good news is that the airline is working to build a kitchen and expand its culinary program, but that likely won’t happen until early next year at the earliest.
One bright spot: the variety of (trendy) packaged snacks. Think Popzup popcorn, Raaka chocolates, and Nantucket Crisps.
JetBlue BlueHouse JFK bottom line
JetBlue’s first BlueHouse airport lounge is officially here, and there’s a lot to love.
From its New York–inspired design to its two-story layout and bold color palette, the lounge feels distinctly JetBlue while offering a cozy retreat from the chaos of Terminal 5.
Amenities like the photo booth and Mosaic 4 mailboxes add fun touches you won’t find elsewhere.
And while the lounge largely impresses, some of the airline’s most frequent Mint customers might be a little disappointed by the food.
That’s not to say you won’t find enough to eat. It’s just that you might want to wait to save room for your Mint meal on the plane, even if it means giving up some sleep on the way to Europe.
All in all, BlueHouse may be JetBlue’s first lounge, but it already feels like a strong foundation for what’s to come.
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