uksushi

JFK is great if travelling in first. G'teed NF, you do not have to wait in the "fast" track line for security which can take up to 30 minutes on a Friday evening and the CCR is a haven.

Travelling in CW is very hit a miss IMHO, I probably pass through JFK 6 times a year on BA. Both the service level and time to get from kerb to lounge is probably most variable of all the airports I regulalrty visit. I totally agree with chiefwiggumpi on the pre-flight dining room, its the only part of the CW experience that is consistantly good. Also immigration queues are hit and miss depending on when you land (not that I need to worry about this thanks to Global Entry availibility for invited British passport holders).

FoxtrotOscar

couldn't agree more...especially when you land 5 minutes after the CX 747 from HK.

ab007

As others have said it can be a little hit and miss but I think it's pretty good there personally.

Only asked for F upgrade once there (on cheap ex-eu last year), the lady checked my details on the computer, told me she can provide a quote but it will probably be a lot because I was on a cheap CW ticket... around $7000 was the magic number for me too... I politely declined, anyone who is happy to pay that is already in F!

But yes I've always found the lounge and pre-flight dining excellent so from your story my only concern would be the temperature in the lounge... I wouldn't like to be sat around sweating hot waiting for a flight!

Sixth Freedom

I do believe that familiarity with an airport can ease the process of going through.

Lots of people complain about Doha for instance, but having been through so many times I know exactly what to expect and now rather like it!

Perhaps the same is true with JFK...

missdimeaner

I can't think of much positive to say about JFK arrivals. Last time I went through it took 2 hours to reach the immigration desk......departing is a little more pleasant, travelling in pleb class I don't get to experience the hot lounges, but after several flights from T7 have found a pleasant place to have breakfast (I nearly always opt for the 178) before breakfast on the plane !!!
When going to the US I try to go to ORD first as the arrivals seem to be a tad less crowded - but in the end its just the luck of the draw regarding queues, staff attitudes and of course the TSA.
I think I would still rather be arriving/departing JFK than be one of HIDDY's cattle

Land-of-Miles

I generally agree with this except for the lounge staff who (CCR serving staff aside) tend to behave like their opposite numbers at T5.

I have never had a problem with security at either T7 or T8. I have always found them to be really polite and helpful and have never had a large queue either. I accept though this can happen if you just get unlucky on the day. The one time I found fast track security closed I was escorted with about 4 other people to the front of the regular line by special services. The lovely Special Services lady at JFK also tends to greet me personally each time I board which I think is a really nice touch. I have also found that the staff are generally very flexible there in helping move flights if earlier flights have space.

The CCR at JFK should be the model for BA F lounges everywhere. I have ever been a big fan of the Galleries lounge however and positively dislike the F lounge at JFK.

Yahillwe

1.5 hrs from the city to JFK??? There must have been an accident. It has rarely taken me that long and I leave the UES the last minute.

As for the people who work there, I personally have had great service except for one time, when something was wrong with my ticket and my daughter was checked in but I couldn't. At the ticket counter I got an awful lady... Who treated me like trash.. Had to go back and uncheck my daughter and the luggage... Then got an angel. Who worked it out for me. I still bring her something whenever I fly out if there and it has been a few years. Even if she isn't there I leave it with her name on it.

The SS and CCR staff are incredible. They know their regular clients by name, know what they like to drink and eat and it is there at the table without even asking for it. Though I have always had good service at LHR's CCR but not the ladies who check you in at e door.

I had dinner last night with some country's high official and he complained about the BA land staff at LHR, mind you, he gets better service than you and I combined, yet still complained about BA's vs air chance or luffty.

It just depends on whom you stumble upon.

Sixth Freedom

Interesting to see that the CCR has come up several times in this thread to support the idea that JFK is a good airport for BA.

But of course the OP was travelling in CW rather than F so this argument is not relevant for him and all the other CW, WT+ and WT passengers (excepting the few with CCR cards) travelling through this airport.

Herman ze German

I read the OP twice and still don't understand it.

Sometimes it's better to cool down before writing a text and make proper use of . , - etc.

Tobias-UK

I'd read it again then if it is confusing you, it's easily understood. I managed it quite easily first time.

BApilotinsider

And who uses the word 'suck'...

Yahillwe

Young adults... My kids.

Swanhunter

Funny I though the preflight dining was the worst part of the JFK experience, closely followed by the pit of an F lounge and sloping security corridor.

LondonAndy

Well, what else am I meant to do about my granny and teaching her about egg related activities

To the OP, it sounds like you had a stresful experience, not helped by having your (heavily?) pregnant wife with you.

It's never taken me 90 minutes from Manhattan to JFK - even when I travel by public transport it is around an hour.

I must admit that leaving JFK with status/travelling CW or F has always been a breeze for me - the separate check-in and dedicated security have always been relatively quiet (compared to the zoo round the corner in WT/WT+ check-in the couple of times I had to use that). I've never waited 25 minutes and the last time I was there, a few months ago, they even had a sign saying that my dad didn't have to take his shoes off because of his advancing years.

I've also always found the availability of Elemis treatments a lot better at JFK than LHR, although in January we did get the last 3 treatments that were available before we had to board our flight. I agree that they should have known what treatments were suitable for pregnant women and from memory they did when MrsLA was pregnant - maybe a new employee?

So, to answer your question "Is it just me or is it flying club world from JFK total rubbish?".... it's just you (or certainly not me ).

I hope that the flight home was a lot more relaxing.

Yahillwe

Well after LondonAndy mentioned it, isn't the cut off time of a pregnant lady 7 months and then they aren't allowed to fly?

It has been that long since my last pregnancy that I totally forgot the cut off time.