British Airways has announced that it will reopen its flagship lounge at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in what will come as good news for frequent pond hoppers. In a British Airways statement released on July 30, 2021, the flag carrier of the United Kingdom announced that it will reopen its JFK Terminal 7 British Airways Club Lounge on Sunday, August 1, 2021.

British Airways decided to close its 22,000 square foot premium lounge as a precaution to help stop the spread of COVID-19 pandemic 16 months ago. The decision to reopen the lounge now coincides with the United Kingdom government's decision to allow fully vaccinated Americans to visit the UK without the need to quarantine on arrival.

British Airways to offer an enhanced check-in

The reopening of the British Airways Club Lounge at New York's JFK airport marks the next step in what BA calls a phased lounge reopening. The lounge's reopening will benefit passengers traveling in First, Club World and eligible cardholders ahead of their flight to London Heathrow Airport (LHR).

Eligible passengers flying from JFK to LHR can now enjoy an enhanced check-in experience with the First Wing and First check-in, helping to provide a smooth start to their journey. British Airways customers can now also enjoy the airline's new digital app called "Your Menu." With the app, passengers can now order meals directly from their mobile devices to their seats after scanning a QR code.

BA says that the app will be available throughout its premium lounges' and will allow customers to select from a wide range of food and beverages, which will be delivered to wherever they are sitting. On their return journey back to the United States, eligible passengers will have access to the Club and First lounges in Terminal 5. They will also find BA's innovative product "Forty Winks," which allows passengers to rest ahead of their transatlantic flight.

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The UK has waived quarantine requirements

When speaking about how the new rules will encourage United States citizens to visit the UK British Airways Director of Brand and Customer Experience Tom Stevens said:

"After the news about the change in entry requirements for US customers into the UK, we expect to host more customers who need to travel and so we have decided that it is the right time to open our flagship lounge in New York.

"We are looking forward to welcoming some of our American customers back to London from next week and bringing Britons who reside in the US home for much-needed family time."

Americans can visit the UK from 04:00 Monday

In other British Airways lounger news, the IAG-owned airline recently reopened three domestic lounges at Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Glasgow.

Regarding the lifting of quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated Americans, the new rule will come into effect at 04:00 BST on Monday. The UK government says that it hopes the change in the rules will help family and friends whose loved ones live abroad.

The reopening of the JFK lounge is certainly good news for the airline's premium travelers and was no doubt designed to coincide with a relaxation of the United Kingdom's rules for fully vaccinated visitors.

Have you ever visited British Airways Club Lounge at New York’s JFK airport? If so, please tell us what you thought about it in the comments.