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Airport lounges are having a moment.
As new credit cards roll out lounge access and travel picks back up to almost pre-COVID levels, travelers have become obsessed with the idea of relaxing in a quiet, well-stocked space by their gate—sipping a glass of wine, snacking, working or catching up on reading before a flight. And we don’t blame them. There’s something undeniably luxurious about stepping into these private havens, a small dose of extra “luxe” that elevates any trip, whether for work or pleasure.
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Surprisingly, given the airline’s popularity, the NYC-founded JetBlue had never entered the lounge game—until now. The company is gearing up to debut its first-ever lounge, located inside Terminal 5 at JFK Airport, on December 18. Dubbed BlueHouse, the new 9,000-square-foot space spans two floors and is modeled after an Art Deco–style New York City apartment.
"The space is a love letter to New York," said Stephanie Evans Greene, senior vice president of marketing and brand at JetBlue, during a recent press preview of the lounge. "Because the city is the airline's home."
The dedication to New York City begins with the lounge’s décor. Throughout the space, you’ll find books sourced from beloved local shop The Strand, plus art pieces by New York artists and works about the city—including one by a New Yorker cartoonist and another made entirely from now-defunct MetroCards, along with three pieces created by JetBlue crew members. Near the entrance, a “just ask” desk features a wall of mailboxes reminiscent of those found in stately prewar apartment buildings. Visitors can ask any on-site “crew member” (as staff are referred to) for a key to open one of the boxes, each filled with surprises like JetBlue-branded cards, posters, luggage tags and more.
But the true showstopper is the ceiling mural at the center of the ground floor—a sweeping piece styled after Grand Central Terminal’s iconic blue, gold-starred zodiac ceiling.
Other fun touches include a gaming area stocked with JetBlue-branded card decks, chess and backgammon sets, to be enjoyed on nearby couches by kids and adults alike. There is also an on-site photo booth that will soon feature two airplane seats as backdrop.
The homage to New York continues with the food and drink offerings. Before diving into the details, it’s worth noting that the lounge does not yet have a full kitchen (staff say that’s expected in the second half of 2026), so anticipate mostly cold options—though all are prepared fresh daily and curated by Union Square Events, who has partnered with JetBlue on the culinary side of things. The New York food scene directly fuels the menu, which features bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches; a variety of salads; pastrami on rye; bagels; matcha chia puddings; crudité and more.
Greenwich Village staple Joe Coffee is behind the barista-made espresso drinks and Brooklyn's Dona is responsible for the specialty chai and matcha on offer.
As for the bar: expect a cocktail list curated by iconic speakeasy Please Don't Tell and East-side go-to The Greats of Craft.
While food and drinks are found throughout, the two lounge levels have distinct atmospheres, both infused with the NYC Art Deco theme. Downstairs features banquettes, the full bar and the majority of warm dishes. Upstairs—still far more stylish than the average lounge—the layout is more traditional, with small alcoves, two-person tables, a coffee station, a wine and beer bar and additional cold options. In total, the lounge seats 140 guests—a number JetBlue president Marty St. George emphasized repeatedly during the press preview, noting the airline’s goal of avoiding the long wait times that plague other lounges.
Access is, therefore, intentionally limited to three groups: Mosaic 4 members of JetBlue’s loyalty program, JetBlue Premier cardmembers and transatlantic Mint customers. Mosaic 4 members and Premier cardholders may bring one guest for free; additional plus-ones cost $39 each. In February 2026, JetBlue plans to introduce limited-access passes for Mosaic levels 1 through 3, JetBlue Plus and Business cardmembers, non-transatlantic Mint customers and annual BlueHouse members.
During the press event, the airline revealed that the next location will likely open in Boston, with Fort Lauderdale also under consideration.
BlueHouse will be open from 5am to 10pm daily.
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