First class all the way: Lufthansa/Austrian Airlines First Class lounge at JFK [classic article]

If you’re looking to live the good life — and aren’t you? — you know what they say about “living well is the best revenge”. I know how it is: you see the frosted doors of the First Class lounge in an airport and wonder what it’s like. You wonder if you should save your pennies (that’s my mom’s favorite phrase!) and do it for yourself. Well, today, I had to fly BWI in Maryland to JFK in New York, to catch the Austrian Airlines flight to Vienna in a few minutes. I was happy to be able to use the First Class Lounge! It’s decorated in a clean, streamlined and modern décor and shared by a few airlines, including Lufthansa.

There are tons of electrical outlets all around to charge up all of your devices. There’s a business room and eating-area, but people are doing plenty of both. There’s also a comfy tv-movie lounge with 3 screens. They announce your flights in there on the PA, so you don’t have to worry about being away from the gate. The noise level is kept subdued and it makes for a much, much, much better way to wait for your international flight. I can’t tell you how to spend your money, but really, this is something to look into. You don’t want to get to your destination half crazed, do you?

The food station is all you can drink and eat, with both German and American wines. I’m sipping on a Premium Lager Spaten Munchen, which is creamy and light – it’s making me re-think my previous stance on beer: I usually hate beer! Yeah, it’s true, though I have been known to suck down a fruit Lambic. But seriously, this is one (maybe two) tasty beer(s). There are also coffee drinks, cocktail fixings, juice and pop available.

The salads are made from local New York farm greens: Satur Farms Long Island NY Mesclun greens, local baby spinach. I wasn’t in a salad mood, so I had some finger sandwiches: prawn salad with lemon, parsley and organic wheat wrap, along with a vegetarian cucumber, mint, cream cheese sandwich. Then, I checked out a lovely fresh carrot-ginger soup, with sweet, pie-like seasoning.

There’s also a nice looking raspberry mini tart garnished with fresh fruit.

Management here runs a tight ship here. The manager is constantly checking the buffet to ensure it’s pristine and the attendants clear things quicker than many restaurants I’ve been to.