The TWA Flight Center at New York’s JFK Airport, designed in 1962 by Eero Saarinen, is one of the most famous icons of mid-century modernism!
I last visited the TWA Flight Center a few years ago, when it was open for one day as part of Open House New York (OHNY) weekend. I wrote this post – called A WALK THROUGH THE TWA FLIGHT CENTER AT JFK AIRPORT– after that visit, saying:
TWA was the first airline I remember having an account with and earning miles with. Walking around the terminal brought back so many memories. The design is phenomenal – Saarinen was a genius! It was a special day.
Flash forward – The TWA Flight center was redesigned and reimagined into the TWA Hotel with 512 guestrooms, and 50,000 square feet of meeting and event space. I must admit that I was hesitant to see the TWA Hotel, fearful that the finished product would be an over-the-top, contrived theme park version of the beautiful structure it once was. On Saturday a friend was in town, staying there, so I made the trek to JFK Airport to meet her for lunch. My only gripe is that the subways were running on a weekend schedule and it took me nearly two hours in each direction from Manhattan. Other than that, I absolutely loved the TWA Hotel! The original concepts and designs were retained and it was classy from beginning to end. Below, for example, is the hotel guest check in area – once the TWA passenger check in area.
Most of the areas on the first and mezzanine floors of the TWA Hotel felt and looked almost exactly the same as I remembered them at the TWA Flight Center.
Here are some photos, in no particular order.
We enjoyed lunch, on the mezzanine level at the Paris Café.
This plane, the Connie Cocktail Lounge, was an original 1958 Lockheed Constellation “Connie” airplane, named one of the best hotel bars in the world by Departures! Connie didn’t open until 4pm, so I wasn’t able to go inside on this visit.
This is the hotel hallway.
A standard hotel room.
There are lots of weddings and events at the hotel. I wandered a bit around the lower levels.
I’m sure you’ve noticed the red carpet and furniture throughout the hotel. That red is named Chili Pepper Red, the signature color created by Saarinen for the TWA Flight Center! I also liked a lot of the signature rugs at the hotel doorways.
If you like airport memorabilia – you’ve come to the right place. The entire hotel is filled with memorabilia!
The hotel boasts a 10,000-square-foot fitness center complete with Peloton bikes! I would like that!
Last, but not least, is the TWA Hotel’s now infamous rooftop infinity pool and observation deck – which offers unique views for those who enjoy the fine art of plane spotting! From late May through October, there is a charge of $25 for hotel guests, and $50 for non-hotel guests, to visit the pool.
photo: https://www.twahotel.com/thepoolbar
It was a fun day walking down TWA memory lane and spending a few hours catching up with a friend. Would I like to return to the TWA Hotel? Most definitely!
A New York frequent flyer who elegantly combines her passions for worldwide travel, running a gazillion marathons all over the globe and staying fit ... without sacrificing her fancy for good wine and food.
Cool ! Hoping to stay there for a night this summer. Are you free to visit the Connie or are there certain hours?
according to the website: Connie Hours
4 PM to 10:30 PM, seven days a week
From the Jet Blue terminal roadway, you can see the insides of the rooms even in the daytime.
I think the emphasis of the terminal is a little wrong. They should not be emphasizing the late 1950’s and very early 1960’s. They should be emphasizing the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. That would mean a Boeing 727, not a Connie. The AMC Pacer, AMC Gremlin, Lincoln Continental Mark III or IV, and VW Beetle would be the type of cars on display. By the time the terminal opened in real life, the Connie was history and the Boeing 707 firmly established.
The hotel is basically 2 buildings behind the terminal and the terminal is a tourist attraction. That’s mainly it. Of course, check in is in the terminal.
My wife and I just returned from a vacation in Malaysia and we started the international flights out of JFK. I was incredibly torn between spending $400+ to stay at the TWA hotel or use a free Hyatt certificate at the Hyatt Regency JFK. After massive deliberation, the Hyatt won out, largely because the TWA hotel had some crazy cancellation policy where you had to cancel a week or two beforehand to get a refund. I’m still itching to stay there although the Hyatt is really nice if you have club lounge access.
I would probably do the same thing. Next time you pass through JFK, visit the hotel and treat yourself to an expensive cocktail.