Eight hour layover at JFK
 

I'm flying Delta from Orlando to JFK and arriving at 10:13 a.m. My flight from JFK to Cairo on Egypt Air is not until 6:30 p.m., which gives me a good eight hours at JFK.

I called Delta and they said they have an agreement with Egypt Air and that I would be able to check my bag at Orlando to Cairo.

Do I have time to take a stroll down Fifth Avenue? Suggestions would be appreciated. I've been told that I need to be back at the airport 3 hours before take-off, which gives me five hours to get lost.

With that amount of time, I'd opt for a car service (or cab) and head into Manhattan for lunch (or drinks in your case) at one of your favorite spots. The Airtrain/subway is also a less expensive option and takes about an hour to get from JFK to Manhattan. JFK is not an airport where I would want to spend 8 hours unless I had access to an airline lounge.

Wally,

I think MJZ's recommendation is a good one. You could arrange a round trip with a car service and be sure of returning to the airport on time.

Even allowing for two hours for the round trip, which is probably more time than you would need, and return to the airport 2 hours before your flight, you would still have 4 hours in Manhattan, a far better place to spend your time than JFK.

Thanks for your comments. If the weather is bad at the end of March, I will probably just stay at the airport. The last time I was in downtown New York City, it was 1964 and they hadn't built the World Trade Center. I figure the city hasn't changed much.

If you want to catch a cab back to JFK, go to a major hotel's taxi stand, unless you can catch one on the street.

Cab ride costs a fixed $45 plus tip each way. Takes about 35 -45 mins

Have fun!

Why would our dearest wally spend $45 on a taxi when he can use a helicopter for $99? ;)

www.flyush.com

Unfortunately, no free booze, and I think you need to keep seatbelt on for the whole flight.

My middle name is "Cheap." What about an express bus?

BTW, Egypt Air is a "dry" airline. Can I pick up a bottle of wine after security? Are there duty free stores at JFK? (without seatbelts)

You definitely have time to get into the city. I would take the train at least one way to save money; $90 is an expensive round trip.

I will be flying PIT to CAI via JFK on Delta & Egypt Air at the end of the month as well. I have a similar predicament,only my layover is just under 6 hours. I also considered going into the city, but think I will just hunker down at the airport. JFK terminal 4 has an independent lounge (named The Lounge) that you can access for $40 for four hours. I phoned them and verified that meals (they have sit down menu service), snacks and alcoholic beverages are included in the $40. Since the JFK-CAI flight is a long one, I figure this will be $40 well spent. BTW- Any chance you are on the March 28th Egypt Air flight?

Take the AirTrain ($5) to Jamaica. Then subway "E" train to Manhattan ($2). That's fairly quick and one of the cheaper ways.

TMP--

Yes, I'm on the Egypt Air flight on March 28! That lounge sounds like a great idea if the weather is bad. Coming from Florida, I am not packing heavy clothes are expecting rain in Egypt.

I'm doing a tour with All Seasons Tours. I'm not really a tour person, but it seemed like a good price.

I'll make a note of that lounge.

Wally;
Pretty cool we're on the same flight! Just look for the empty wine/Crown Royal bottles & green Lands' End attache in the lounge if you want to stop and say hi! We are doing a tour with General Tours. I'm looking forward to seeing Tut and the Sphinx! Lets hope for no sand storms while we're there.