JFK survival guide: 4 secret finds at NYC's busiest airport

New York Post

26-05-2025

Roughly 63 million poor souls traveled through John F. Kennedy International Airport last year, data shows — and at least 62 million probably vowed to never make the same mistake again, if they could help it.
Face facts — NYC's most notorious airport doesn't exactly put its best foot forward, no matter how many billions of dollars are spent trying to make the confusing sprawl make sense.
Tucked into the tangle of twisted roadways, crowded concourses and endless construction projects, however, you'll find a surprising number of secret finds — and some of them might even make your next date with airside agita the tiniest bit enjoyable.
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And, hey, worst case — you can always take a deep breath and thank the sky gods you're not flying out of Newark this summer.
Read on for a few particularly likeable finds — in one of the Big Apple's most unpleasant places.
No humans allowed
14 The ARK Pet Oasis offers a space for your furry friends to get fresh air at the airport.
Tamara Beckwith/N.Y.Post
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14 Horses are frequent visitors to The ARK.
The Ark at JFK, ; Anthony Collins
JFK's most exclusive lounge has every comfort a globetrotter could hope for — but no amount of miles accrued can get you into this serene sanctuary.
Unless, of course, you're a dog. Or any other type of animal.
In that case, you're welcomed with open arms at The ARK, a privately-owned, 24/7 hang for a veritable menagerie of well-traveled creatures — from cats and dogs to horses, elephants, birds and even spiders.
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14 An owner is reunited her with her pup after he arrived from the Dominican Republic and had to clear customs and health inspections.
Tamara Beckwith/N.Y.Post
That's because the company provides space for zoo animals being moved around the world as well as dogs and cats being shipped sans owners.
'We see goats, sheep, pigs, cows, horses — as a matter of fact, we have Icelandair coming in with a very large shipment of small Icelandic ponies,' Elizabeth Schuette, president and CEO, told The Post.
And there's a reason why it's so swanky, too: Air travel is even more stressful and anxiety-ridden for animals than humans, Schuette explained.
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14 Many domestic pets find their way to the ARK at JFK.
Tamara Beckwith/N.Y.Post
14 There is a vet at the ARK who makes sure animals are cared for.
Tamara Beckwith/N.Y.Post
'We should not just assume that animals are like people and can travel with us or without any kind of thought to it,' Schuette explained.
Many people traveling with pets don't understand just how complicated it is, Schuette said, especially the cargo and public health aspect.
'A lot of what we do is actually educational because you don't think about it,' she said.
14 Air travel is even more stressful and anxiety-ridden for animals than humans.
The Ark at JFK, ; Anthony Collins
Because of the many rules surrounding animal travel, The ARK runs a tighter ship than Noah's — they have direct airside access — a necessity when loading and unloading bigger beasts — and work hand-in-hand with multiple government agencies for safety, like protecting the public from diseases during animal transport.
The ARK also runs a pet boarding program when jittery jetsetters need a safe and convenient place to keep their pet while they fly around the world.
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For an overnight stay, pet parents can expect to pay $150 for the first night and $125 for each additional night — and the limited kennel space is often booked up solid.
'Your pets are your family, and you want to make sure that they're being handled properly,' Schuette said.
Not your average airport bar
14 The 1850 Speakeasy Bar is located in the Centurion Lounge at JFK's Terminal 4.
American Express
Tucked behind a copper-paneled wall in the Centurion Lounge at JFK in Terminal 4, thirsty travelers will find the 1850 Speakeasy Bar, which looks nothing like a typical airport lounge.
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'The design of the intimate space — the lighting, dark wood, cozy booths, and truly phenomenal cocktails — makes you forget you are even at an airport,' Audrey Hendley, president of American Express Travel, told The Post.
And airport beer be damned — expert bartenders at 1850 conjure up 'sophisticated' versions of classic New York cocktails, including the espresso martini and boulevardier.
14 The drink menu was curated by award-winning mixologist Jim Meehan.
American Express
14 Expert bartenders at 1850 conjure up 'sophisticated' versions of classic New York cocktails.
American Express
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The drink menu was curated by award-winning mixologist Jim Meehan, famous for his work with PDT (Please Don't Tell) in New York's East Village. There's also a rotating experiential menu with a theme of 'travel meets New York.'
During the day, 1850 also serves as a café, but only a select few — Eligible American Express Platinum Card Members, American Express Centurion Members, and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card Members who have access to the Centurion Lounge — can enter.
Up on the roof
14 JFK's Terminal 5 features a hidden rooftop garden.
JetBlue
This garden takes things to new heights.
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Tucked away in JFK's Terminal 5 is a secret rooftop garden, accessible to all passengers post-security.
With stunning views of the Manhattan skyline, the T5 Rooftop & Wooftop Lounge spans across 4,046 square feet and is complete with charging stations, free Wi-Fi, a dog walk and New York-centric food and beverage carts/kiosks.
14 The T5 Rooftop & Wooftop Lounge is located across from Gate 528.
JetBlue
There's also landscaped greenery featuring shrubs and plants, including oak-leaved hydrangeas, lilyturf and sweetspire.
While the T5 rooftop initially opened in 2015, many travelers don't know about this hidden gem or that they can be outside while waiting for their flight. The entrance to the space is a slim glass door that almost looks like the entrance to a closet, though it does say 'T5 Rooftop' in white lettering.
'As New York's Hometown Airline, T5 was designed to show off the pride we have for our city,' Jamie Perry, current president of JetBlue Travel Products, said.
The outdoor space is located across from Gate 528 and is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
You need a staycation from your vacation
14 The Paris Café by Jean-Georges is in its original location up the curving staircase on the mezzanine level.
Annie Wermiel/NY Post
JFK's acclaimed TWA Hotel is a destination unto itself — but travelers on the move can have plenty of fun while they're waiting for their flights elsewhere.
The repurposed Eero Saarinen-designed TWA terminal has a raft of amenities — like the Paris Café by Jean-Georges, which is located in its original location up the curving staircase on the mezzanine level.
The world-renowned chef partnered with Tastes on the Fly, a leading boutique airport restaurateur, to offer breakfast, lunch, dinner and desserts with a view.
14 The Paris Café offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert.
Annie Wermiel/NY Post
The menu offers both timeless recipes and dishes the modern traveler will love, transporting guests to the Jet Age. While walk-ins are recommended, reservations are highly encouraged at the coveted dining spot.
The Lisbon Lounge within the Paris Café also serves meals and offers a full bar. Seating here is available on a first come, first served basis and reservations are not available. Food is served until 10 p.m. and cocktails are served until 11 p.m. nightly.
14 The TWA Hotel also has an infinity pool, open year-round and heated during the winter.
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Also on premises is a rooftop infinity pool and observation deck, offering fantastic views of planes taking off and landing.
Anyone can snag a day pass, whether or not they're staying at the hotel. Reservations for the pool, which is open year-round and heated in the winter, can be made through the hotel's website or via Resortpass, where they are being sold for $50.
Non-guests can also reserve a day pass to the on-site, 24/7 fitness center — which claims to be the world's biggest hotel gym, at 10,000 square feet — for $25.