United Airlines has found a way for premium passengers to have lounge access at New York's JFK Airport.
United Business Passenger now able to use Alaska Lounge JFK
United Airlines business class passengers leaving New York JFK on September 1, 2021 can now use the Alaska Lounge in Terminal 7. This is an important development as United Airlines business class tickets used to not have access to the Alaska Lounge in Terminal 7.
The Alaska Lounge JFK
United Airlines, which had cut service in 2015, returned to JFK in spring 2021. United Airlines pulled out from JFK to focus on Newark Airport (EWR) and believed that EWR would be a better choice for most passengers than JFK.
The airline has flown premium-equipped 767-300s transcon routes to Los Angeles and San Francisco since returning to JFK. Due to low demand, all flights will be reduced to 757-200s by the end of the fall.
Uniteds Premium 767-300 Polaris Cabin
United Airlines offers United Club access to premium transcon customers, but not United Polaris Lounge access. However, United Airlines didn't have a lounge at JFK. Only two lounges are available in Terminal 7, the British Airways Lounge and Alaska Lounge. It seems that the airline could not reach an access agreement until recent times.
Although the Alaska Lounge isn't something to be excited about, it is an improvement on no lounge access. Priority Pass was also available to the lounge.
These are the interesting dynamics at work here
Although not very important, I find a few things that are worth noting.
One, the United Club at JFK used to exist up until 2015. The space was taken over by Alaska Airlines when United Airlines left the airport. It became the Alaska Lounge. It's funny, United Airlines passengers will have access again to the same space but it will be managed by Alaska.
These partnership dynamics are also interesting. Remember that Alaska Airlines is a close partner with American Airlines. Although Alaska Airlines will no longer be operating the New York-to Los Angeles route this fall, it is a market in which American Airlines is strong.
Given that United didn't seem to be able initially to strike a deal for lounge access, I wonder what happened in the background.
Alaska Airlines is not known for having any problems filling its lounges with Priority Pass customers.
I wonder if United ended having to pay more per trip than Priority Pass did, or if Alaska Lounge is not as full with Priority Pass guests due to shifts in travel demand (since British Airways was historically the largest airline).
It is also possible that they came to an agreement out of their own free will, or if United filed a complaint at the airport about being denied a lounge option. Alaska eventually agreed (although this seems farfetched, I'll just throw it out there).
Although there are many benefits to partnerships and allegiance, agreements like these are often just for business. So I'm not surprised that some things were worked out.
Alaska Lounges offer espresso-based drinks
Bottom line
United Airlines business class passengers who depart JFK can now access the Alaska Lounge. United has finally found a way to provide lounge access from JFK. This was a significant competitive advantage. This lounge was also accessible via Priority Pass, so I wonder how many United business passengers did not have access.
Is it not surprising that United reached an agreement to provide JFK lounge access to its customers?
Stella Shon gets a tip of the hat
