New York JFK T8 premium checkin and security

[PB2]

First time travelling through JFK since the terminal swap. I’m BA gold departing on Iberia to MAD in business, with my mum who has a BA economy ticket to LHR (and no status). I read Iberia customers also enjoy fast track security – is this through the new BA/AA area for first and business pax, does anyone know? Could I use this area for my mum to check a bag with BA do you think? Or is the Iberia operation kept separate? Thanks

[Blair Waldorf Salad]

The glass door to the special check in area in T8 is marked for OneWorld Emeralds. So you’ll be fine as BA Gold to take a guest with you. I’m not sure if you can drop a bag for Iberia in there but perhaps you could use it as a means to get brought to the front of the TSA queue

[PB2]

Thanks

[BA Flyer IHG Stayer]

There are no IB desks in the premium check-in area used by BA/AA

There are also usually a couple of BA/AA staffers at the entrance checking eligibility.

I don’t think they would let your mum check in there even if you as a gold go with her.

Even if you go through that area the only benefit is you can walk to the front of the priority queue and even then it’s down to the queue minder how you get filtered into the screening area.

[PB2]

Ok good to know, many thanks. Iberia mention a “priority security lane” as part of their T8 move press release – let’s see what that means in practice. Last time through JFK, a few weeks before T7 closed, the treatment of pax and their belongings by security staff was a disgrace – and never seen staff be so rude to people for whom English clearly wasn’t a first language. Let’s hope things have improved!