Travel

New York’s JFK Airport opened a hotel dedicated to the days when flying didn’t suck

Cosplay for those who aspire to be relaxed travelers.
Cosplay for those who aspire to be relaxed travelers.
Image: Kevin Hagen/Getty Images
By
Johnny Simon
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Flying! Not great, huh?

While the past decades have brought more direct flights to far-flung destinations and shorter flight times, the overall passenger experience has grown increasingly worse. Once-standard perks like free checked bags and acceptable legroom are being whittled away as airlines need to cram more people into planes to make a profit.

All of that is swept aside at the new luxury hotel now officially open at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport. Built in the iconic terminal that once served the now-defunct Trans World Airlines, the hotel breathes new life into its midcentury architecture with both modern features and painstakingly recreated details.

It’s a reminder of air travel’s glamour era. Of course, flying wasn’t as affordable or accessible to nearly as many people during TWA’s 1960’s heyday. And most of the bygone perks and comforts of that time are now reserved for the highest echelon of travelers, who are being wooed with increasingly exclusive benefits.

For TWA Hotel guests with economy reservations however, access to glassware and comfortable seating will likely end once they check out.

The newly opened TWA Hotel at JFK.
The newly opened TWA Hotel at JFK.
Image: Kevin Hagen/Getty Images
The iconic centerpiece of the hotel is the TWA Flight Center designed by Eero Saarinen.
The iconic centerpiece of the hotel is the TWA Flight Center designed by Eero Saarinen.
Image: Kevin Hagen/Getty Images
Guests check in at the front desk.
Guests check in at the front desk.
Image: Kevin Hagen/Getty Images
A phone call at a payphone, not seen as a luxury until it was lost.
A phone call at a payphone, not seen as a luxury until it was lost.
Image: Kevin Hagen/Getty Images
People sit at the bar of the Jean-Georges restaurant in the TWA Hotel.
People sit at the bar of the Jean-Georges restaurant in the TWA Hotel.
Image: Kevin Hagen/Getty Images
A view of the departures and arrival board.
A view of the departures and arrival board.
Image: Kevin Hagen/Getty Images
The underground conference center at the new TWA Hotel.
The underground conference center at the new TWA Hotel.
Image: Kevin Hagen/Getty Images
All the news you need …from 1962.
All the news you need …from 1962.
Image: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images
A 1958 Lockheed Constellation, refitted as a cocktail lounge.
A 1958 Lockheed Constellation, refitted as a cocktail lounge.
Image: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images
A TWA-branded bathrobe hangs in a hotel room.
A TWA-branded bathrobe hangs in a hotel room.
Image: Kevin Hagen/Getty Images
TWA-branded drinking glasses in a hotel room.
TWA-branded drinking glasses in a hotel room.
Image: Kevin Hagen/Getty Images
Ten-cent pay phones in the new TWA Hotel.
Ten-cent pay phones in the new TWA Hotel.
Image: Kevin Hagen/Getty Images
Nestor Lara Baeza gets his photo taken in the cockpit of  the 1958 Lockheed Constellation restored as a cocktail lounge.
Nestor Lara Baeza gets his photo taken in the cockpit of  the 1958 Lockheed Constellation restored as a cocktail lounge.
Image: Kevin Hagen/Getty Images
New meets old: The Shinola Detroit store in the new TWA Hotel.
New meets old: The Shinola Detroit store in the new TWA Hotel.
Image: Kevin Hagen/Getty Images