The 'Most Luxurious' Airport In The US Is One Of New York's Bustling Travel Hubs

If you're a frequent traveler then it's likely you've already passed through America's most luxurious airport, which was recently named by AllClear Travel Insurance. According to the insurance company's deep dive into luxurious airport amenities, New York's John F. Kennedy Airport offers travelers the most luxurious amenities in the country. It was ranked 11th globally.

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is the busiest airport in New York, and the sixth busiest airport in the country with over 60 million travelers arriving or departing in 2023. It's a hub for two of America's most prominent airlines — American Airlines and Delta. Travelers can fly from JFK to 202 different destinations in 82 countries. With so many people passing through, it's no surprise that JFK is prepared to meet the needs of opulent jetsetters and business travelers.

Travel can sometimes be stressful and overwhelming and if you prefer to travel as comfortably as possible you're certainly not alone. Whether you hope to relax in an airport lounge or spend your layover indulging in a little retail therapy at high-end designer stores, JFK has you covered. Even the most discerning luxury travelers are sure to be impressed with the upscale amenities.

JFK doesn't always receive the best press. The popular U.S. airport is known for losing travelers' luggage, and there's an ongoing debate on whether JFK or LaGuardia is truly the better New York airport. According to AllClear Travel Insurance, JFK reigns supreme when it comes to luxury.

This top-ranked company offers insurance to travelers regardless of their age, pre-existing medical conditions, or where they're traveling. According to the company's website, "some airports are certainly better than others when it comes to the level of comfort. With delays, and layovers that can feel like they go on forever, comfort is the top priority — particularly if you're an over 70's traveller or have pre-existing medical conditions and hoping to get to your destination feeling relaxed and ready to enjoy your holiday." Having identified comfort as a top priority amongst their clients, they decided to seek out the best luxury airports.

In order to create their list of the world's most luxurious airports, AllClear Travel Insurance did a ton of research. They analyzed 1,800 airports around the world. Any airport with fewer than 10 airport lounges was immediately disqualified. The following 69 airports were ranked based on several factors including the number of lounges, designer shops, places to drink champagne and eat caviar, and the number of 4- and 5-star hotels in proximity to the airport. The airports were ranked out of 100. The highest scoring airport scored 83 out of 100. JFK scored 48 out of 100 and ranked 11th globally and 1st in the United States.

According to the research conducted by AllClear Travel Insurance, JFK ranked extremely high in the airport lounge category. New York's other airport, Laguardia, is home to one of the best airport lounges in America, but there are way more options to choose from at JFK. Travelers with the proper credentials can visit 22 different lounges throughout the airport. According to NerdWallet, the Chelsea Lounge in Terminal 8 is one of the best. It opened in 2022 and has opulent amenities like a beautiful bar, full dinner service, showers, and a cozy fireplace. The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse in Terminal 4 offers fine dining in an elegant setting. The Chase Sapphire Lounge, Delta Sky Clubs, and Centurion Lounge are also great options.

JFK also scored well in the luxury shopping category, which is no surprise considering New York is one of the major fashion capitals of the world. AllClear Travel Insurance identified 16 luxury shops within the airport. Hermès, Michael Kors, Hugo Boss, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Bvlgari are just a few options scattered across the various terminal where you can shop until you drop — or at least until it's time to board your flight.

Champagne and caviar are synonymous with luxury, and for travelers who just can't bear a few hours at the airport without a glamorous treat, JFK has 10 different options. The only category where JFK fell short was luxury hotels. According to the insurance company, there are no 4- or 5-star hotels within 3 miles of the airport.