Chris,<BR>Welcome to JFK, the airport that has been under construction since 1947 :)<BR><BR>The AA Terminals have walkways (one outside, one inside) between them. You'll arrive at Term 8 and most likely catch your domestic flight from Term 9.<BR>Don't be surprised if you're thru Immigration/Customs in 1 hour or less.<BR><BR>Unfortunately, AA Admiral's Club do not sell passes but you might be able to cajole a freebie at the club desk under the guise that you're thinking of joining.<BR><BR>Venturing off the airport can be a PITA due to lots of terminal and roadway contstruction. Even the suggestion to head up to Flushing Meadows (normally ~15 minutes) could land up taking too much time.<BR><BR>For fresh air, if the weather's nice, walk over to the parking garage and go up on the roof level. You'll get some decent views of the airport and NYC skyline and sea breezes await - provided the winds are from the south. At least you'll get to stretch your legs.<BR><BR>I would not recommend trying to walk between terminals due to construction barriers. There is a free shuttle bus between terminals however.<BR><BR><BR>

If you really want to see one thing, say the Empire State Building from a distance, you can do it. However, JFK is so far away that 5 hours is not enough time to go to Manhattan. I say this even though I usually recommend rushing into a city during a layover (see my posts about London and Amsterdam).<BR><BR>Enjoy the many terminals at JFK including Saarinen's TWA terminal (terminal 5) which is closed. It's the concrete bird. See I. M. Pei's National Airlines Terminal, later TWA Domestic, now Terminal 6. It may be torn down. See the new Terminal 4 and 1. See the old Pan Am Terminal (now Delta, Terminal 3). The AA terminals 7 and 8 are boring but will be torn down soon. Terminal 8 used to be the United Terminal.

I was reading the answers and it hit me, what can be more of a NY experience than getting some NY pizza or Bagels if its breakfast time. I would jump in a taxi 10 minutes away in Howard Beach or Ozone Park you can get some amazing genuine NYC pizza. Otherwise a 20 minute taxi ride will take you to Long Beach or Atlantic Beach where you can grab a bagel and sit on the boardwalk.