Airport operations have gotten complicated with all the changes and updates flying around. As someone with extensive travel experience, I learned everything there is to know about this topic. Today, I will share it all with you.
JFK Airport: Everything You Need to Know (From Someone Who Has Been There Too Many Times)
JFK is chaos. Let us just get that out of the way upfront. It is massive, it is confusing, and the terminals feel like they are in different zip codes. But it is also one of the most important airports in the country, so chances are you will end up here eventually. Here is what I have learned from way too many trips through this place.
Where to Eat Without Settling
Terminal 4 is where the good stuff lives. Shake Shack is there – same burgers you would get in Manhattan, airport markup aside. Deep Blue Sushi is surprisingly legit. Croque Madame does that French sandwich thing if you are feeling fancy.
Terminal 5 (that is JetBlue home) has this thing called the Loft Food Court with like 20+ options. You can actually spend time here without being miserable.
Terminal 8 has Uptown Brasserie for real sit-down dining, and Wanderlust Wine if you need to take the edge off before your flight. No judgment.
Lounges Worth Knowing About
American Express Centurion Lounge in Terminal 4 – if you have got the Platinum card, this is why. Actual good food, proper cocktails, a place to sit that does not feel like a crowded gate area.
Delta Sky Clubs are scattered around Terminal 4. Multiple locations, consistent quality, what you would expect from Delta.
The TWA Hotel – okay, this one is cool. You do not have to be staying there to visit. They have got a rooftop pool, a bar with runway views, and this whole retro-future vibe from the original TWA terminal. Even if you are not flying, it is worth checking out during a long layover.
Stuff I Wish Someone Had Told Me
- AirTrain is your friend. It connects all the terminals and links to the subway (A/E/J/Z lines) and Long Island Rail Road. It is the only sane way to get between terminals.
- You cannot walk between terminals. Do not even try. They are spread across miles. AirTrain. Use it.
- International arrivals can be brutal. Customs lines are unpredictable. If you are connecting, leave way more time than you think you need.
- Consider the TWA Hotel for early flights. Nothing worse than a 5am departure after sitting in traffic from Manhattan. Just stay at the airport.
Travel Gear That Makes JFK Bearable
The Bottom Line
JFK is not the best airport experience you will ever have. It is big, it is spread out, and it can feel overwhelming. But it connects New York to basically everywhere in the world, so we deal with it.
Download the JFK app before you arrive – real-time gate info, interactive maps, all that. It genuinely helps. Know your terminal, know where the AirTrain is, and leave extra time for everything.
And hey, if you have got a long layover, that TWA Hotel really is worth checking out. Where else can you swim in a rooftop pool while watching 747s take off?
