British Airways Concorde Room, New-York JFK T7 : Far from the Air France La Première lounge

After a day of sightseeing and relaxation in New York, it’s time to return to Europe.

As a reminder, here is the itinerary followed:

#	Type	Review
1	Diary	Back to school trips to Paris and the United States
2	Lounge	Club Aspire Lounge, London Heathrow T3
3	Flight	Air France Business, London Heathrow – Paris Charles-de-Gaulle
4	Hotel	Intercontinental Paris Champs-Elysées
5	Lounge	Air France Business Lounge, Paris Charles-de-Gaulle 2E-K
6	Flight	Air France Business, Paris Charles-de-Gaulle – London Heathrow
7	Lounge	British Airways Concorde Room, London Heathrow T5
8	Flight	British Airways First, London Heathrow – Chicago O’Hare, Airbus A380-800
9	Hotel	Kimpton Grey Chicago
10	Hotel	Kimpton Monaco Chicago
11	Hotel	Intercontinental Chicago
12	Lounge	American Airlines Flagship Lounge, Chicago O’Hare T3
13	Flight	American Airlines Domestic First, Chicago O’Hare – Charlotte, Boeing 737-800
14	Lounge	American Airlines Admirals Club, Charlotte Concourse C
15	Flight	American Airlines Domestic First, Charlotte – New-York La Guardia, Boeing 737-800
16	Hotel	Kimpton Muse, New-York
17	Hotel	Intercontinental New-York Times Square
18	Lounge	British Airways Concorde Room, New-York JFK T7
19	Flight	British Airways First Suite, New-York JFK – London Heathrow, Boeing 777-300ER

Today’s itinerary

Check-In and ground experience

The day before departure, I check-in for my flight on the BA website… What a surprise to see that my seat was unilaterally changed ! In the middle of the night, I contact the British Airways Twitter account to ask about this change, before finalizing the check-in online.

I was told that the seat was broken and that I had to be relocated to a middle seat. No alternative is offered to me, even on a earlier flight.

I find it indecent not to offer me to position myself on the previous flight, which still has 2 window seats available, without an additional fee of over £6000!

The discussion being sterile, I put an end to it and swallow my anger.

I arrive at the airport almost 3h30 before the departure of my flight to London.

I go to the First check-in area, and after checking my passport, I am given my boarding pass to London. The sorry attendant tells me that my seat has been changed, and I ask again if I can change my flight to the earlier one which still has window seats. I am offered to change for a £300 fare difference, which seems equally absurd since these two seats will not be sold at H-1…

I refuse, and head for the TSA checkpoint, which will be very very slow due to poorly organized agents.

Location and welcome

The lounge is located at the end of the terminal, near gate 1.

The reception is extremely cold, and I am invited to enter after a quick scan of my boarding pass.

Lounge design

The lounge decoration has not changed since the last time. The style is very nineties but well maintained.

Various spaces are available and the eligibility criteria are restrictive enough that it is not crowded.

Catering

Like my first visit to the lounge, the food and beverage offer is excellent. There is no real buffet, except for some sweets, everything is ordered a la carte.

I will order, before dinner, a glass of rosé champagne. In the Concorde lounge, BA serves a very good Pommery Brut Rosé Royal.

I go to the restaurant and am installed by a (very) charming waitress.

She brings me the menus and I choose a poke bowl as a starter, and a shrimp curry as a main course.

The poke will be quite average in its execution while the curry will be perfect. I will continue to drink Pommery Rosé.

To close this meal, I will finish with the cheese board, served with its crackers. Very good for US made pasteurized cheeses. The Bordeaux served with it will be succulent.