Out with the old and in with the new at the American Express Centurion Lounge in New York.
Over the holidays, Amex officially shuttered the Equinox Body Lab in its lounge at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), TPG exclusively learned and later confirmed with a company spokesperson.
Replacing the space that used to be dedicated to the Equinox Body Lab is an all-new full-service coffee bar, dubbed Blue Roast by American Express.
Amex didn’t share why it’s making the switch from this wellness-focused amenity, but it likely means that the issuer’s partnership with Equinox has lapsed or wasn’t as popular as the issuer had originally hoped when the lounge debuted in 2020.
Meanwhile, a coffee bar is sure to be a hit with flyers, especially since all drinks will be available on a complimentary basis.
In fact, JFK is now the second Centurion Lounge outpost with a dedicated coffee bar. Blue Roast by American Express debuted in the recently renovated and relocated Centurion Lounge in Seattle.
At the bar, you can order a variety of espresso beverages, cold brew coffees and seasonal specialty coffee drinks. Furthermore, smoothies and other healthy picks, such as avocado toast and chia pudding, will be available.
No other Centurion Lounge amenities are being changed as part of this move, though the issuer did shutter all of its spas last year as a way to add more seating for travelers.
While fitness rooms and lounge spas are undoubtedly nice-to-have amenities, they do pose a friction point for flyers as they occupy space in otherwise busy lounges that frequently operate with waitlists.
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Instead of using precious lounge space for these amenities, Amex seems to think it’ll be better off maximizing the space in each lounge with the most sought-after amenities, like a coffee bar and more seating.
Spas and fitness rooms aren’t big enough to serve most guests, and they also require costly resources, such as specialized equipment and extra staff.
When it opened, Amex’s JFK lounge became the issuer’s flagship space. (The Atlanta outpost has since taken that title.) The Centurion Lounge at JFK spans two levels and even includes a hidden speakeasy-style bar and two buffets.
The floor-to-ceiling windows offer sweeping views, and the lounge provides a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of one of JFK’s busiest terminals.
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