A new kind of destination opens at JFK airport

In 1965, crowds of fans watched the Beatles arrive in America from this space, which is now called The Sunken Lounge.

Floor-to-ceiling windows in this red-carpeted space give customers a view of Connie, the aircraft that once as the pride of the TWA fleet, while sipping on classic cocktails and snacking on bar bites.

The rooms are all soundproof, including newly-designed glass curtain walls by Fabbrica, to keep the noise of the planes out.

Some of the drinks served at this lounge include the Come Fly with Me, inspired by Frank Sinatra’s 1958 album cover, and the Howard Hughes, named for TWA’s former owner and made with Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège, Crème de Violette, lemon juice and ginger.

Served with TWA flight wings, this Martini is one of the classic cocktails on the menu at The Sunken Lounge.

These swizzle sticks are modeled after the original set and highlight TWA’s many travel destinations.

An original photograph of the space when it opened, the architectural features that made the design so famous are on display and stand in contrast to the bright red furnishings of what is now The Sunken Lounge. Restoration workers used the original “Chili Pepper Red” carpet for this space.

MCR

The Lockheed Constellation, or Connie as she was affectionately nicknamed, was commissioned by TWA’s owner Howard Hughes in 1939. She broke the era’s transcontinental speed record on a flight from California to New York in 1946. In 1958, she received a makeover which included a customized mural in the cocktail lounge outfitted with gold banquettes. She was soon replaced by the Boeing 707 and the “Connie” models were taken out of circulation.

Aaron Locke

For this hotel, a Connie was purchased and restored to her original glory as a display piece on the tarmac and is easily viewed from the hotel. The plane has been transformed into a cocktail lounge operated by Gerber Group.

Drinks at this spot are all based on the classic drinks of the 1950s and 60s and range from a Negroni to Veuve Clicquot Champagne, along with recreations of the original TWA menus.

The menu at the refurbished Paris Café is built around classic dishes from the original TWA on-flight menus. Located in the heart of the original terminal, the café takes up the entire footprint of the original Paris Café, which was designed by Raymond Loewy, creator of the TWA logo as well as the 1955 Coca-Cola bottle.

Inside the former departures hall, Fooda is operating a food hall aptly named “Departures Hall” and serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Halal Guys, Empanada Republic, Antico Noè, Fresh&Co and Playa Bowls all are operating there.

The rooftop pool and bar acts as an observation deck giving customers access like they’ve never had to planes taking off and landing. Located on Runway 4Left/22 Right, one of the biggest runways at JFK, and the Bay Runway, the second-longest commercial runway in North America, the observation deck also boasts an infinity pool emblazoned with the TWA logo, as well as underwater seating.

No pool time is complete without drinks and snacks, and Gerber Group operates the space where they serve cocktails such as the Mile High Spritz.