The most recent extension at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is fully open, and significant renovations are currently under place at Delta's two New York hubs.
Over the past few days, the Atlanta-based airline unveiled its $1.5 billion makeover at JFK's Terminal 4, and other traveler-friendly upgrades are on the way.
While Delta isn't constructing a brand-new terminal at JFK as it did at its LaGuardia hub, the improvements nonetheless demonstrate the airline's dedication to New York.
Here is a list of every change.
Redesigned check-in area
It won't take you long to notice some changes once you enter Terminal 4.
The airline increased the number of check-in desks from two to four, which should assist disperse the crowds at busy times.
With the addition of more self-check-in kiosks and a new signature high-definition digital wall, which serves as a striking backdrop and offers a wealth of useful information, such as the most recent flight status and Sky Club crowding indicators, Delta also completely digitalized the check-in process.
The most apparent improvement may be the expansion of the Sky Priority area.
This area was previously located in a tiny lobby adjacent to Terminal 4.
It now extends over a whole row of check-in desks, offering premium class and elite passengers greater space to spread out.
While this is going on, the Sky Priority lobby has been converted into a Delta One business-class-only check-in facility.
This area is only accessible to passengers flying in Delta's long-haul and premium transcontinental business class cabins as well as by-invitation-only Delta 360 members.
Additionally, passengers flying KLM World Business Class and Upper Class on Virgin Atlantic are encouraged to check in online.
Only a few days have passed since the enlarged check-in areas went live, but Stephanie Baldwin, Delta's vice president of airport operations in New York, says the comments and net promoter scores have been "incredible" and "wonderful."
While the Delta One lobby is unquestionably a pleasant improvement to the premium-cabin ground experience, Ryan Marzullo, Delta's managing director of New York design and construction, said during our visit that things are about to get even better.
This summer, the second stage of development will be completed, and it will contain a completely distinct hold area that will be created from the terminal's entrance all the way to the designated check-in desks.
There will also be new furniture in the lobby area and a small bar area with food and beverages, among other improvements.
Even better, for a more smooth check-in process, Delta is constructing a dedicated TSA security lane that will be connected to the Delta One check-in lobby.
After passing through security, you'll be just a few short feet from the brand-new business-class-only lounge; read on for more information.
2 new Sky Clubs
There has only ever been one Sky Club in Terminal 4, and it is situated close to Gate B31.
The airline has started to improve the business-class ground experience and has built 10 new gates to the A dock, so that's set to change.
The most interesting addition will be a special VIP lounge for Delta One travelers that will occupy the space formerly occupied by El Al, Swiss, and Wingtips.
It will have a 36,000-square-foot footprint and debut in the first quarter of 2024.
The lounge will extend into the current airfield area, while its exact design and amenities are still closely guarded secrets.
A heated outdoor Sky Deck will be year-round as part of the addition.
According to Marzullo, non-Delta lounges, such as a potential location for Wingtips and other lounges as well, will have room on the lower level of this development.
(In the interim, visitors who previously utilized the now-closed Wingtips Lounge may access the temporary Primeclass Lounge, which is accessible via Priority Pass and is situated next to Gate A3)
You will use escalators to leave the lounge and go straight to the departure level when it's time to board the aircraft.
Instead of being led down the airfield, where Delta is creating designated parking spaces for its fleet of Porsche transfer vehicles, VIPs and those with Delta 360 status may get escorted right there.
The airline is putting the finishing touches on a brand-new Sky Club in the A gates, which is situated on a new upper level next to Gate A7, in addition to the new business-class-only lounge.
With more than 220 seats and Delta's newest design elements, such as an open kitchen, full premium bar, and locally curated art gallery, this 13,700 square foot venue will also have more than 220 seats.
There will also be a heated Sky Deck available all year long.
We're waiting down the days until this lounge opens this summer because the renderings are extremely spectacular.
A temporary Sky Club Express
Many Delta passengers are aware of the airline's issue with crowded lounges.
In fact, the situation has gotten so bad that Delta has implemented new fast-track Sky Club entry lanes and is about to announce updated lounge access restrictions.
There isn't much Delta can do to alleviate overcrowding outside creating additional spaces and enlarging current ones.
Thankfully, the airline is constructing new facilities and has already begun to offer temporary Sky Club Express spaces at some of its busiest airports.
The second Sky Club Express has relocated to JFK after the first one debuted in Boston last year.
Just past the TSA security checkpoint, in a corner, is where this temporary facility may be found.
The temporary Concourse A Sky Club won't open for another six months or so.
About 60 guests can be accommodated in the 4,500-square-foot new Sky Club Express at JFK.
Compared to the one in Boston's basement, it is noticeably more attractive.
The windows are frosted, so you won't be able to see anything from the airside, but at least there is enough natural light in there.
The "L" shape of the lounge creates a number of quaint corners and inviting seating spots.
Interestingly, Delta brought the furnishings from Boston and Atlanta nightclubs, according to Marzullo.
The Sky Club Express has refrigerators loaded with prepackaged delicacies like hummus cups and kale Caesar salads, as well as a temporary bar (without hard liquor).
There are also takeout brown bags that ostensibly tempt you to grab a snack for the road.
There aren't many services offered by the lounge besides free Wi-Fi and clean restrooms.
Even yet, if you're looking for a less hectic atmosphere, camping out here might make sense as it's not (yet) nearly as busy as the bigger Sky Club close to Gate B31.
As it waits for a long-term solution in JFK, Delta also deserves praise for doing all it can to reduce congestion.
It's doubtful that other airlines would spend money outfitting modest temporary spaces for only six months.
11 new gates
For years, Delta divided its JFK operations between Terminals 2 and 4.
The airline made use of all 11 gates in Terminal 2 and the whole B concourse in Terminal 4.
However, Terminal 2 is currently closed since it will soon be destroyed to make room for the new $9.5 billion 23-gate Terminal One complex.
Instead of using fewer gates at JFK, Delta made an investment in an extension of Terminal 4 that included 11 extra gates, enabling it to continue operating 400 flights per day to and from New York's major airport.
The airline moved all of its flights to Terminal 4 and that expansion became operational on January 14.
A brand-new hold room area at the end of the A pier houses all but one of the 11 new gates.
A9 to A21 (there are no A13 or A18) are the gates that are mostly used by Delta's regional aircraft operations.
(The other new gate was added to the B concourse of Terminal 4)
These brand-new gate sections are among the prettiest in the airport since they have the newest branding features from Delta, such as spacious digital wayfinding displays, updated toilets, and enhanced seats with access to power outlets, USB-A, and USB-C ports.
The expanded A pier will soon welcome more concessionaires.
Travelers will need to bring their walking shoes and step counts when passing through JFK, which is possibly the largest drawback of the extension.
Even though I did not time it, I would guess that it might take longer than 20 minutes to walk from the farthest gate in the A pier to the farthest gate in the B pier.
Fortunately, assistance is on the way in the form of an airside busing operation.
The TSA, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which manages the airport, and Delta are collaborating to launch an airside shuttle service that will transport passengers from Gate A9 to B55.
In order to provide passengers with an even more effective connecting experience, the airline will increase the busing service this summer to include a second stop close to Gate B15.
In conclusion
Delta's extension of JFK's Terminal 4 makes some much-needed enhancements to the travel experience, despite the fact that it's not a brand-new terminal like you'd find at adjacent LaGuardia.
These improvements include a redesigned check-in area, two upcoming lounges, and a few additional gates; for people who use JFK frequently, these changes should be obvious.
Even though the majority of the work is now finished, there are still a few items that must be done to finish the modernization of Terminal 4. These include the airside shuttle service, a more efficient arrivals process, an expanded domestic baggage claim, and a larger security checkpoint for passengers connecting from international flights.
As the project comes to a close, Delta is making it plain that it plans to stay in New York, and more specifically, at JFK Airport.
FACEBOOK