I visited JetBlue's first airport lounge. I was impressed, but one thing will stop me from going back.

• BlueHouse, JetBlue's first airport lounge, opened at JFK in New York in December.
• As a JetBlue credit card holder, I decided to pay a visit.
• It was spacious and well-designed, but I didn't spend enough time there to justify the $79 cost.

Rejoice, JetBlue lovers: There's now a lounge where you can eat, drink, and be merry while waiting to board your flight.

BlueHouse, the airline's first airport lounge, opened at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City in December 2025, with a location at Boston Logan International Airport coming this year. It's a way for the traditionally low-cost airline to make flying more luxurious, even for budget travelers.

When I fly, it's usually for the cheapest fare. Last year, I finally took the plunge and committed to a JetBlue credit card to try to maximize points. All this to say, I don't typically travel in a way that gives me access to an airport lounge.

So, when I found out about BlueHouse and its many amenities — 9,000 square feet, two floors, food from Union Square Events, cocktails from Please Don't Tell, and coffee from Joe Coffee — I decided to try it out for myself.

A day pass cost me $79 on top of my airfare. For Premier cardholders, Mosaic 4 members (the highest tier of JetBlue rewards), and transatlantic Mint travelers (essentially JetBlue's version of business class), entry is free for the traveler and a plus one. For the other levels of Mosaic, domestic Mint travelers, and people with the Plus card like me, entry ranges from $59 to $79 per person.

I was concerned it might be crowded (hence why some people are sticking with the airport bar), so I was pleasantly surprised to find it basically empty.

What I really appreciated were all the nods to New York City's classic Art Deco architecture. The design was supposed to evoke "an NYC apartment-style aesthetic," which, as someone living in an NYC apartment, I think they nailed.

JetBlue did not respond to a request for comment on its pricing or my experience.

Here's what it was like to visit the inaugural BlueHouse location.

BlueHouse is located in Terminal 5 at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City.

There are clear signs all the way there. It's across from Gate 527, around a five-minute walk once you're out of security.

I was lucky to catch the lounge at an off time, but this queuing area suggests that JetBlue is prepared for crowds.

BlueHouse spans two floors, with a full bar, a coffee bar, and plenty of seating downstairs, and a quieter atmosphere upstairs.

I paid $79 to get inside BlueHouse, but it's free for Mosaic 4 members, JetBlue Premier cardmembers, and transatlantic business-class travelers. Blue Basic travelers can't get in.

The first thing you see when you walk in is the huge bar. All drinks are complimentary.

There is plenty of seating throughout the lounge, including booths, tables, bar stools, and individual chairs.

The ceiling takes inspiration from Grand Central Terminal's iconic constellation ceiling mural.

But, of course, the most dominant color is blue.

I sat at one of the long tables so I could get a view of the entire lounge. Each seat had its own outlet for easy charging access.

There was a fridge filled with pre-packaged food and snacks. It had yogurt, fruit cups, sauces, and wraps.

Next to it was a hot food area, with soups, sandwiches, and bowls.

For those looking for something lighter, popcorn, chips, and pastries were also offered.

There was a full coffee bar with one of the nicest coffee machines I've ever seen.

I got an oat-milk latte and then added vanilla syrup. There was also an ample tea selection.

The coffee was good — I realized it was Joe Coffee, a favorite of mine.

I went for a mini Caesar salad wrap. It wasn't great, but it wasn't bad either — and it was the perfect size for a pre-flight snack.

I decided to get up and explore. In one corner, there's a photobooth for anyone looking to relive their BlueHouse experience with a souvenir.

There were multiple single-stall bathrooms, but no showers, which surprised me. Airport lounges in major hubs often do feature showers.

I liked that the doors had lights to let you know if the bathroom was occupied.

I have to admit, the neon "Live, Laugh, Lav" sign did make me giggle.

Two large mirrors can give travelers a full view of their outfits.

I noted the bathroom wallpaper was emblazoned with parking meters and fire hydrants. While I wasn't really sure why, I liked it.

The last area I needed to check out on the first floor was a lounge space with a TV and couches.

With that, it was time to go upstairs. The stairway featured art inspired by New York iconography.

I had too much luggage, so I took the elevator. Unsurprisingly, it was blue.

The second floor had a smaller, but no less stocked, bar.

The floor had subway tiles, another nod to NYC.

There were barely any people upstairs, but there was more seating. My favorite was the long booth in the back.

For more privacy, there were many of these little booths, each with its own table, light, and outlet. I really enjoyed the decor of this nook.

There were conveniently placed screens throughout, so I could keep track of my flight status.

There was the same coffee bar, snacks, hot, and cold food available as downstairs, just less of it.

I hung around BlueHouse for around an hour before heading to my gate.

If I were part of the JetBlue rewards tier where this would've been free, returning to BlueHouse would be a no-brainer. It was well-stocked, spacious, and full of fun design touches.

However, as a budget traveler, I can't justify the $79 price tag … unless I arrive much earlier to take greater advantage of the alcohol and food.