I never dreamed of going to an airport: sitting in traffic on the way to JFK, trying to distract airline employees from seeing that your luggage is overweight, and rushing to the gate with a Shake Shack burger in hand. But Delta wants to change that (if you’re willing to pay the Delta One fee). The airline has opened a new space for Delta One customers that’s more like a luxury wellness center than a lounge, and that just so happens to be located inside the airport. This is coming from someone who regularly gets massages and facials. Here’s my review.
Being a beauty buff, I was immediately intrigued when I heard that the lounge had a spa. I assumed there would be a few massage chairs to relax on before my flight, but even with the massage chairs, this is only a quarter of the services offered at this spa. You can get a full body massage and facials with Grown Alchemist products and certified therapists. I had a full body massage to release knots in my neck and back that I didn’t even know existed. Three wellness treatments are also offered. For recovery, there is a 10-minute shoulder, scalp, and temple massage that the spa dubs the “Jet Lag Vibrator.” For tired eyes, there is an eye awakening treatment that uses cryotherapy ice globes and Grown Alchemist serums. For relaxation, a hand and arm massage exfoliates and then moisturizes, allowing you to relax before your flight.
Photo: Asia Milia Ware
If a full treatment at the airport isn’t your thing (or the spa is full, as treatments are offered on a first-come, first-served basis), you might like the Relaxation Pods. They’re small spaces with curtains for privacy, and five pods come equipped with zero-gravity massage chairs and four pods with recliners for resting. In the pods, you can request the Hyperice self-care device, a massage gun, a tool that targets muscle fatigue to help restore and relieve it. My favorite is the Normatec compression boot, which not only massages your legs, but also increases circulation and flushes waste products from the body, like a lymphatic treatment. I try to get this treatment at the Recovery Spa in New York before long flights, but the only time I’ve had a spa in a lounge is when I’ve been to a hotel in New York. Direct Visiting a spa before your flight can save you a lot of time and money. Does it really work? For me, getting the blood flowing before the flight really relieves muscle tension after landing. It replaces wearing compression leggings and socks. To complete the spa feel of the wellness area, there is a cart with products like Spa Water (a fancy name for fruit-infused water), Grown Alchemist samples, and refreshing face and hand towels. There is also a Rejuvenation Bar with non-alcoholic wellness drinks and health-conscious snacks. It’s a dream come true for me, as I often feel anxious when traveling surrounded by alcohol and airport food (I love Shake Shack, but I don’t want to eat it every time before a flight) and not being able to eat and drink what I like.
Photo: @Jason Dewey 2024/Delta
“This is the ultimate luxury,” I say, twirling around in the spacious marble-walled bathroom. (An attendant steams my clothes while I shower.) “Close to that, the ultimate luxury is flying privately,” someone once told me. Having flown privately (for work), I can attest to the awesomeness. But I definitely didn’t get a massage, a five-course meal, or shoes shined before boarding. Good photo for Instagram.
We then indulged in a five-course meal that included hamachi crudo and chocolate lava cake for dessert. There’s also a marketplace of flatbread pizzas and bakery items like Biscoff cookies, caramel pudding, and tiramisu. To be honest, I’m not a huge fan of airport lounge food; it’s enough to fill you up, but it’s nothing you’d want to indulge in. But Delta’s salted chocolate chip cookie, which everyone raves about, is worth talking about. The spot also features chic design touches, including a fireplace, accent cushions, and coffee table books by Missoni, the Italian luxury brand recently chosen by the airline as a partner for the lounge and Delta One’s in-flight amenity kits.
The lounge officially opened in Terminal 4 this week, just in time for summer travel. And for some customers, there’s no need to walk to the gate after you leave the lounge. A Porsche will roll up the tarmac and take you directly to your plane. Travel has officially been raised.
