8 Hours at JFK

[andrewmckay5]

Hi All,
in january I'm flying with Delta Fort Myers to JFK then Virgin to Heathrow. Firstly if Jeff( Flyrr100) reads this any tips on a decent seat on Delta.
Secondly and more importantly I will have 8 eight hours between landing and take off. Allowing for check in and departures etc will i have enough time to get into Manhattan for a couple of hours? Is it best to use the subway or grab a cab; it is a sunday, the 2nd jan. Or is there anywhere more local to JFK thats worth a visit?
many thanks,
andrew

[Magical Dreams]

We travelled with Delta from Manchester to Atlanta in June/July.

We was told to dress smart (not shorts and a loud shirt) and if the flight is busy, you may be lucky and get bumped up!!

We arrived at Manchester early, and low and behold, they were busy and we was moved up to Business Elite.

The check in girl even asked us if we minded?

Yeah!! Sure!!

[Mo Green]

Hi Andrew
If you register online with Delta you can look at the seating plan for the flight and move your seats. We have done it two or three times during the period leading upto our flights in order to get the seats we prefer.
I am not sure if you can do it online but there is a number to contact to order meals - veggie, children etc.

Spending 8 hours at JFK is a bit like spending 8 hours at Heathrow so I would recommend going into Manhattan. Taking the cab is the quickest way - 30 minutes and and you can be at whatever you want to see first. Prices are fixed - it cost us $35 in April but I think it has increased now.

[flyrr100]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by andrewmckay5
Firstly if Jeff( Flyrr100) reads this any tips on a decent seat on Delta.


[/quote]

Delta's configuration is the same as most airline's. Try to avoid the bulk head seats, or next to the lavs (smell).
Delta will upgrade to Business or first, but it's usually the 'priority gold' members that get the upgrades. Dress well. No shorts, jeans, sandles. Wear a collared shirt. And, if you have kids with you, you probably won't get a free upgrade. But always ask at the gate. What's the worst they can say?

I'm not familar with JFK as I did most of my New York flying out of La Guardia. If you are going downtown, know where you are going. New York is a big city, and you can find yourselves walking for hours without actualy doing anything! I'd suggest the Empire State Building. Take the roof tour, it's spectacular! Buy a plastic building and a few postcards! Then get a high carb lunch at McDonalds and then back to the airport. Your drive in and out of the city should be exciting. You'll go through 'real' neighborhoods.

I'm jealous, I havn't been to downtown New York in years.

Have a great vacation.

[andrewmckay5]

Thanks for that Jeff. I'm not expecting an upgrade but was more interested what seats to try and avoid so will take your advice.
I've been to New York a handful of times so "know" the area a bit. Like you say I'll head for mid town and the empire state.
Bit sad really as our last visit was 8 years ago this week and we had dinner for my wifes birthday at the top of the World Trade Centre- will be very strange not seeing the towers on the Skyline.
It does sound as if I have enough time for a decent 2 or 3 hours there so thatgood, especially as I'm leaving the rest of the family in the sunshine on the Gulf for a further week while some of us have to return to works
Thanks for all the help,
andrew
PS I hope "Blue is the Colour" is not the Delta song and played on the planes[msnsmile2]

[Jo]

We hasd a mornig in NY recently as we missed a connecting flight. We did the empitre state building , but the queue was at least 2 hours - worth it though. Go straight there. Don't fall for doing the skyride (simulator cinema - only average anyway) on the way up. They tell you it saves you queuing time , but it doesn't.

If you have time for something to eat there are some very nice cafes in the basement of Macy's which is just round the corner.

[pbensur]

Before taking off for the Empire State Building, make sure it's not a dismal day as there will be no view and often they won't let you go up anyway if that's the case. I agree that taking the cab is the best way to go - at least you can see the city as you're riding. It's true that you can walk and walk and end up not doing a whole lot, but just walking through Manhattan is an experience in and of itself!

[gromit]

Hi Andrew

In theory you have enough time to get in to and back from Manhattan, but traffic can be a nightmare and I've known the journey to take over 2hrs from JFK! (the best is about 30 mins).

Taxis have a fixed fare into Manhattan so are about the best option if there is a couple of you as the bus is per person. They are building a new rail link, but I've not been for a month or two and don't know if it has opened - you could check the internet for info) but before this you need to get the bus to the subway (I think at La guardia) and it probably isn't any faster.

You need to think carefully where you want to visit as you will not have a lot of time there.

One option is to book a limo - between a few of you it is not much dearer than the taxi fare and would be a bit more memeorable and comfortable.

Watch out fot the taxi fare back as it is metered and if the traffic is bad can fairly clock up!

Enjoy, Neil