Book it Danno! JFK Omnishambles - Economy Class & Beyond

Book it Danno! JFK Omnishambles

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With an on-time arrival into JFK it was time to hike through the terminal, and to the curb, then all the way out, the Air Train to Terminal 7, and re-clear security.

I do wish US airports were a lot more joined up air-side.

None the less, I had to claim my luggage first – which I hoped would come out quickly as I wanted to grab something from the ground dinner service before departure.

Hiking towards the exits

We’re missing a logo these days…

To the exit!

With me down at arrivals, it was time to wait for the luggage.

And wait.

30 minutes in – no news.

Eventually, someone from baggage handling announced that due to ice, luggage transfers were taking time, with the mumbling of an apology.

I give up with this place.

Eventually, 35 minutes after landing – the luggage belt spat into life, and finally 2 minutes later my little rucksack appeared too.

Well, that was wonderful ground handling there, American Airlines.

With that done and dusted, I raced my way to the AirTrain through a confusing set of hallways – eventually reaching it.

Thankfully, the AirTrain was operating, so it was a case of hopping to the next terminal, and heading out.

Hurry hurry hurry… some of us are in a hurry here!

A smart walk, and soon I was in Terminal 7 – the home of British Airways at JFK.

I followed the signs around to Club World check in, and got my bag re-checked in, and my boarding passes issued (with the London City to Dublin leg still showing as Economy pass).

I therefore went to ticketing, and explained what happen to the agent, who sympathetically looked at what was going on and tried to fix the ticket.

The agent could see what I booked and the mess it was in. The poor agent worked away trying to get the system to obey. And it took a lot of time. A good 15 minutes until finally, the Club Europe ticket spat out.

With that done and my baggage tag re-registered my new Club Europe, I headed through express security – and being the only person in the queue, I was dealt with quickly. This security lane deposits you outside Gate 1 and The Concorde Room

From Gate 1, it’s a bit of a hike back towards the Lounges – and by the time I had got there, there was a while 10 minutes to boarding.

My timing sucks. No pre-departure meal for me it seemed.

I did have time to pop in the 1st Class Lounge for a few minutes for a glass of bubbles and nibbles.

Salad items

Cheeses and sandwiches

A quiet First Class Lounge and lots of room

And a lot of different alcoholic options

To put it like this, I had time to nibble a sandwich and drink a few drops of champagne when boarding was announced.

Although I do think that BA2/4 passengers would be better off if they’re shuffled off to the Concorde room to be honest – instead of being made to hike across the terminal twice to get fed and watered.

Heading back to the lounge, I spotted a machine that’s a great idea – selling stuff that fits inside security regulations (although putting one in the land side of the terminal could be a really big selling point).

I do like these machines… if they’re overpriced a bit.

And of course, more advertising for 50 shades of rubbish.

E L James really knows how to torture words and sentences. Makes me looks like an amateur. Much like Mr Grey in the picture using a tie…

Boarding was well in progress by the time I was heading to the jetway. My boarding class was beeped, as I headed down the jetway for the flight to London City Airport.

Next: British Airways BA002 – New York JFK to London City Airport

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