JFK SoHo Lounge Review (Terminal 8)

After spending time in the Greenwich Lounge, I headed across the main concourse in Terminal 8 to visit the SoHo Lounge. This is one of the more premium options at JFK, sitting just below the top-tier Chelsea Lounge in terms of hierarchy.

Detail	Info
Lounge	SoHo Lounge, near Gate 14
Airport	New York–JFK
Terminal	8
Operators	American Airlines & British Airways (jointly operated)
Access	oneworld Emerald
Visit timing	Morning (breakfast hours)

Finding the SoHo Lounge in Terminal 8

The SoHo Lounge is located just past security outside Gate 14. After taking an elevator or the adjacent stairs, the SoHo Lounge is accessed via a shared premium entrance with the Chelsea Lounge.

Once inside, Chelsea sits to the right, while SoHo is directly in front. The space immediately signals that you're stepping into the premium end of Terminal 8's lounge options.

Access Rules: How I Got In

I accessed the SoHo Lounge using oneworld Emerald status while traveling on an international itinerary. It is also available for:

• AAdvantage Executive Platinum® members
• AAdvantage Platinum Pro® members
• Alaska Airlines Atmos™ Titanium members
• Alaska Airlines Atmos™ Platinum members
• oneworld International First Class passengers
• oneworld Emerald status holders

Had I simply been traveling on my business class award ticket, I would have been directed to the Greenwich Lounge visited earlier. SoHo is designed for a narrower audience, which helps keep the space calmer during peak departure windows. While eligibility is more restrictive, it's still accessible to a meaningful number of oneworld elites and premium passengers.

In practice, this balance works well — SoHo feels noticeably quieter. It also features great tarmac views, unlike the windowless Chelsea Lounge, a key criticism of the latter space. In fact, many First Class passengers opt to move to this space.

How SoHo Fits Into Terminal 8's Lounge Hierarchy

Terminal 8 has a clear three-tier premium lounge structure:

• Chelsea Lounge — the most premium, smallest, and most exclusive. Access for International First Class (and Transcontinental First Class until the A321T is fully retired).
• SoHo Lounge — more premium and quieter. Access for oneworld Emerald, International First Class, Flagship Business Plus.
• Greenwich Lounge — large, accessible, and built for volume. Access for International Business, Flagship Business, and Transcontinental tickets.

First Impressions and Lounge Layout

SoHo immediately feels more elevated than Greenwich. Darker tones are more in touch with the new Admirals Club design language.

The space is broken into distinct zones rather than one large open room:

• Dining-focused areas
• Lounge seating clusters
• More secluded sections set away from main walkways
• Smaller rooms with fireplaces that give the lounge a softer, more residential feel
• A main bar area to the far left of the space

This layout does a good job of separating noise and activity, especially if you snag a spot in the secluded areas. This makes SoHo a much easier place to relax before a long flight.

Breakfast: Buffet Plus Limited A-La-Carte Dining

SoHo's food program is a step up from Greenwich.

During breakfast, the lounge offers:

• A larger buffet than Greenwich
• A limited a-la-carte menu, available in addition to the buffet and accessed via QR code

The a-la-carte menu isn't extensive, but elevates the feel of the lounge. It makes the experience feel more like a restaurant than a cafeteria.

Buffet Offerings

Buffet offerings during breakfast typically include:

• Charcuterie and cold cuts
• Hot breakfast items
• Breakfast proteins
• Pastries and baked goods
• Fruit, yogurt, and lighter options

A-La-Carte Menu

The a-la-carte menu included:

• Avocado Tartine — Smashed avocado, toasted sourdough, mâché salad, heart of palm, pickled shallot, Fresno peppers, radish
• Farm Egg Omelette — French omelette, aged cheddar, fines herbs, frisée salad
• Signature Breakfast (American or English) — Eggs any style with a choice of: English baked beans, Applewood smoked bacon, back bacon, Cumberland sausage, roasted mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, roasted baby potatoes, and fresh bread variety
• Hell's Kitchen Chicken Sandwich — Crispy chicken breast, curry aioli, hot honey pickled cabbage, toasted ciabatta

This is still airport dining, but it's more thoughtfully presented than in the larger Greenwich Lounge.

Menu via everyday.dynamify.com

Bars and Beverage Program

Unlike Greenwich, which relies heavily on self-serve stations, SoHo leans more into staffed bars.

Self-pour drinks are also available, but the staffed bar setup adds to the lounge's more premium feel.

Beer

• Athletic Brewing Company Upside Dawn — Non-Alcoholic
• Brooklyn Brewery Stonewall IPA (Draft)
• Brooklyn Lager (Draft)
• Guinness Stout
• Miller Lite
• Samuel Adams Boston Lager

Cocktails

Boulevardier · Daiquiri · Gimlet · French 75 · Bloody Mary · Long Island Tea · Manhattan · Margarita · Martini · Mojito · Mule · Negroni · Old Fashioned

Wine

Red & Rosé: Banshee Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon · Finca Nueva Rioja Rosado · Roth Estate Merlot

Sparkling: Cusamano Nero d'Avola Sicilia

White: J. de Villebois Sauvignon Blanc · Lincourt Chardonnay · Primarius Pinot Gris

Coffee, espresso drinks, juice, and soft drinks are also available.

Seating, Power, and Quiet Spaces

Seating is where SoHo really separates itself.

You'll find:

• Well-spaced dining tables
• Comfortable lounge chairs
• Quieter seating areas away from food service
• Fireplace rooms that create cozy nooks
• Plenty of great tarmac views

There are also a handful of call booths for those who need to get work done.

Final Thoughts

The SoHo Lounge is one of the best in Terminal 8's premium lounge lineup. It offers better food, better layout, and a calmer atmosphere than Greenwich, without the high entry requirements of the Chelsea Lounge. This is a great option for those with oneworld Emerald status transiting through JFK Terminal 8. I always enjoy a visit to this space and find it a great reason to connect through New York.

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From the SoHo Lounge, it was time to head to our gate just off the lounge for the long-haul flight to Tokyo on board American Airlines' 787-9 Super Diamond product.

This review is part of the Around the World on Miles trip report series. Previous stop: JFK Greenwich Lounge Review. Arrival into JFK: AA E175 Business Class DCA–JFK.