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Published AUGUST 27, 2002
Stuck at the Airport: New York City
(JFK)
World eats abound at JFK
By Harriet Baskas
If you feel an irresistible urge to hit some golf balls when you land at John F. Kennedy International Airport (airport code: JFK), it's probably because the airport was built on the site of Idlewild Golf Course. In fact, even though the airport was officially christened New York International Airport when it opened for business in 1948, most folks just called it "Idlewild" until it was officially rededicated as John F. Kennedy Airport on December 24, 1963.
Get oriented JFK has nine terminals, arranged counterclockwise in the airport's Central Terminal Area. No terminal is entirely airline specific, but there are some general groupings: Terminal 1 serves Lufthansa, Japan Airlines, Air France, and Korean Air. Terminals 2 and 3 serve Delta Air Lines. Terminal 4, the newest terminal, is the International Arrivals Terminal. JetBlue operates Terminal 6, while United and British Airways are served by Terminal 7. Terminals 8 and 9 are operated by American Airlines.
A free shuttle bus between terminals runs approximately every 10 minutes and makes the trip from terminal to terminal in 10 to 15 minutes. In late 2002, buses are scheduled to be replaced by light-rail AirTrain service that will link the terminals with the parking facilities and the New York City subways.
To get your bearings, grab a map from an information counter or look for one of the eager "Red Coats," as JFK's customer service agents are known. All Red Coats are either bilingual or multilingual, and the team as a whole is proficient in as many as 30 languages. Take care of yourself Eat: JFK is big enough that traveling between terminals to eat may not be practical, but each terminal offers several dining options. Except for Terminal 4 and a small section of Terminal 1, most dining options are located behind security.
If you don't need to stay by your gate, head to Terminal 4, where the area before security offers a wide open corridor with a nice variety of places to eat. Choose from Delancey's Bar (table service), a Kosher deli, Krispy Kreme donuts (Kosher, like the deli), a 24-hour Au Bon Pain, Sylvia's Soul Food (fried chicken, catfish, and pork chops), and counters serving Indian food, Asian dishes, and fresh baked goods. Carts on Concourses A and B offer "Grab & Go" boxed meals (clear-sided, with handles) that include a sandwich, chips, and soda.
Pre-security in Terminal 1, you'll find the Greenwich Village Bistro, McDonalds, and Wok & Roll, where the menu includes sushi and bento boxes. Most all other places to eat are located behind security in the other terminals, where highlights include: In Terminal 1, the Napa Valley Wine Bar and the Eurasia Coffee House. In Terminal 2, Creative Croissants and Links on Tap (a golf-themed restaurant). In Terminal 3, American Bagel and Sam Adams Pub.
In Terminal 6, try The Central Park Café and the Times Square Lounge. Terminal 7 has Peets Coffee, a pasta and pizza Italian eatery, and a full service restaurant. In Terminal 8, look for Edy's Ice Cream and another Wok & Roll. Au Bon Pain bakery and Sbarro are in Terminals 8 and 9, and T.G.I. Friday's is open in Terminal 9. Relax and refresh: To escape the hustle and bustle, grab a seat at an unused gate, in the food court area, or perhaps the chapel on the second floor of Terminal 4. The altar and stained-glass windows in this interdenominational place of worship were salvaged from three other chapels formerly located in different spots at the airport. Plans are underway for creating a small museum next to the chapel which will display parts of those chapels that didn't make their way into the new facility.
Need some pampering? Spring for some beauty items at Clinique in Terminal 1, or pay the day rate at the Ramada Inn (on JFK property) to use their exercise and health-club facilities.
Smokers can only light up outside the airport or at the tobacco company-sponsored lounge called the "The Smoking Place," post-security in Terminal 1. Many airport bars also allow smoking.
Take care of business Surprisingly, JFK has little in the way of on-site business services for travelers, making this an airport where an airline club membership and your own laptop, cell phone, and notepad will come in handy.
Data ports are fairly plentiful, especially in the newer Terminals 1 and 4. If you need to make a copy, send a fax, or rent a workspace, head to Terminal 4, where you'll find Travel Express (pre-security, second floor, by Concourse A); or to Accommodations Plus (in the Arrivals Hall), where they sell stamps, make faxes, and store baggage while you shop or eat. You'll find Internet kiosks beyond the security checkpoints in Terminals 1, 4, 6, and 7. The service providers for these units are in flux, so don't be surprised if the units are not in service.
Explore the airport Shop: Terminal 4 is the only terminal where the shopping area is accessible pre-security. Look for DKNY (clothing and accessories), H Stern (jewelry), several souvenir kiosks, an electronics store, and Dean and Deluca, which offers gourmet gift food. Contracts have been signed for another two dozen shops here, so this terminal is sure to become a destination all its own.
Post-security in Terminal 1, you'll find what airport officials claim is the largest duty-free shop east of the Mississippi. Look for the Clinique/Estée Lauder outlet, and stores selling pens, gadgets, watches, sunglasses, sportswear, ties, toys, jewelry, and electronics.
In Terminals 7, 8, and 9, you'll find Altitunes (where you can sample CDs as long as you like). Terminal 8 also has a Brookstone gadget shop, a New York souvenir shop, and a Swatch store. Terminal 9 has the airport's main bookstore (the Book Corner) and branches of Brookstone and Sunglass Hut.
Sightsee: Although currently closed, JFK's most famous piece of art is Terminal 5, also known as the old TWA Terminal. Designed by noted architect Eero Saarinen in 1959, the building has been featured in dozens of movies and television programs and has been designated a historic landmark. You can see it if you take a tour around the airport on the shuttle bus.
While Terminal 5 has history and tradition on its side, Terminal 4 is now getting most of the attention. Designed to invoke the spirit of flight, the terminal is bright and airy, with soaring ceilings, great views, and abstract artwork.
And then there's Terminal 8. When the building opened in 1959, the red, white, and blue stained-glass window across the front of the building made it into the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest stained-glass window in the world. Terminal 8 also boasts two vintage murals by Carybe, the Brazilian artist who won the design competition sponsored by the building's original architects. Although a new terminal is being built on this site, airport officials promise to maintain a prominent spot for the windows.
For great views, head for Terminal 1—it's got lots of glass and was designed to let in natural light. From the mezzanine, look one way to see a wildlife refuge, look the other way to view the Manhattan skyline. Terminal 4 also has great, out of the way spots where you can keep an eye on planes coming and going and catch a glimpse of the city.
Play around: Kids will enjoy playing along the wide corridor in Terminal 4 and might be entertained by a free ride on the shuttle bus. (When the buses are replaced by a light-rail AirTrain service, touring the airport should be even more entertaining as the train will travel, Disneyworld-like, right through Terminal 4.) You can also ride the free shuttle bus to Terminal 8 to inspect the murals and see how many different historical figures you and your kids can identify. In Terminal 6, there's a much appreciated kids play area.
Transportation A taxi ride into Manhattan can take from a half-hour to more than an hour, but it will cost you no more than the $35 flat-fee established by the New York Taxi and Limousine Commission. Shuttle buses make the trip for $13 to $15. For a low-cost New York City adventure, though, try taking the "A" subway into town. To get to the subway station, catch the free yellow, white, and blue Long-Term Parking bus which leaves about every 15 minutes from each terminal. The subway fare is $1.50, and the ride can take up to 75 minutes.
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