My first visit to New York’s LaGuardia airport was in 2010 and my goodness how it left a lot to be desired. Low ceilings, drab decor, and I remember being in a subpar airline lounge before security, which in my opinion saps all the relaxation out of it.
Fast forward 10 years, and in 2020 the revamped Terminal B opened which is a major improvement featuring high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and great options for dining and shopping. The following year the Amex Centurion Lounge was re-opened in a new location providing a major upgrade to its predecessor. This was reviewed previously by Milesopedia, however with the changes a new look was warranted.
The Amex Centurion Lounge can be found in Terminal B, home to Air Canada, American, JetBlue, Southwest, and United flights. After clearing security, head towards the eastern concourse (gates 40-59) and it’ll be on your right. The entrance sign literally is the entire wall, so it’s impossible to miss.
The lounge can be accessed by passengers holding a same-day boarding pass on any airline, in any class departing within 3 hours, while being a holder of The Platinum Card®, Business Platinum Card® from American Express, or the invitation-only Centurion card.
It’s interesting to note that the Canadian-issued Platinum card includes access for the cardholder and two guests. However, US-issued Platinum cardholders are not given the same guest privileges who need to pay for access. Kids below the age of 2 are always admitted free of charge.
Upon entry, you’ll be greeted by Amex staff who will welcome you, check your boarding pass and credit cards, and direct you inside. Our kids even got little activity kits which was very much appreciated!
The wide variety of seating is one of the lounge’s strong features. There are several distinct areas in the layout which breaks up its overall 10,000 square feet. This gives the lounge a more intimate feeling instead of just one very large space.
There’s a choice of different styles of seating to accommodate different people’s needs, including:
There’s also a special quiet reading room dubbed “The Study”. It’s in partnership with McNally Jackson independent bookstores and features seating for 6 on couches. The books inside all have a New York theme and are available for purchase at the McNally Jackson bookstore in Terminal B.
There’s quite a nice bar area with a menu of complimentary wine, beer, and signature cocktails developed by the famous mixologist Jim Meehan. I sampled a couple of vintages off the wine menu and they were both very enjoyable.
Lastly, there’s a separate enclosed room which is perfect for families with young children. There’s a TV, games, and books available to use. I read “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss to my daughters which was a great way to pass some time.
The only slightly disappointing element of the seating is the main view to the inside of the terminal rather than sweeping tarmac views which are great to gaze out of while enjoying a glass of wine.
One thing that generally sets the Centurion lounges a step above other airline lounges in the United States is the quality of the food, and this one was no exception. This location features a menu created by executive chef Cedric Vongerichten who is the executive chef and co-owner of New York Indonesian restaurant Wayan. It is presented as a self-service buffet and includes soups, salads, various hot dishes, pastries, fruits, and some rotating deserts which changed multiple times while we ate lunch. The food was not only delicious but also quite healthy. Okay, perhaps with the exception of the cookies. 😉
The bar is the main source of drinks, but there are also self-serve stations for coffee, tea, water, and juice.
The washroom was clean and had individual rooms for toilets.
It also has another stand-out feature: A clean, proper baby changing table. Not a flimsy plastic model which looks stained with the remnants of the previous user. This kind of thing is extremely appreciated by dads like myself who has previously had babies with diapers to change.
There is also an all-gender shower room. You can see an agent at the member services desk to use these facilities should you so wish.
This is hands-down a fantastic lounge, and a good example of the high quality Centurion lounges that American Express is known for. It is creatively designed with dedicated areas to relax, eat, or get some work done. With premium food and drink selections, make sure you arrive early for your next flight departing from Terminal B at LaGuardia if you’re a holder of a Platinum or Centurion credit card.
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