First Look At The TWA Hotel JFK | The Points Guy

Follow along with TPG’s resident AV Geek, Wallace Cotton, as he gets a first-hand look at the TWA Hotel at JFK. He will show you the re-imagined ‘Paris Cafe’, a cocktail bar in a plane, and also take you inside the actual rooms which may or may not be a new plane spotting hot spot (you heard it here first).
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[@ThePointsGuyArrivals]

Who's planning on visiting TWA?!

[@CraftezUnited]

I'm going as soon as possible!

[@JJ_Skippy]

Me

[@yvr2002rtw]

Only if my room in Manhattan isn't ready yet will I stay here for a few hours. It would be nice if the hotel had it's own helipad and I could take a Blade to Manhattan.

[@ThePointsGuyArrivals]

@@yvr2002rtw There is a Blade desk at the hotel, but they'll still have to shuttle you a few minutes by car to the JFK pad. Would definitely recommend checking out if you've got any down time! Do you Blade often?

[@wvanderwahl]

I live in Brooklyn and fly out of terminal 5 many , many times. Checking it out next week.

[@dylanakent]

You guys have no idea. Growing up in Queens, NY in the 1960s/early 1970s it was a BIG DEAL to go to the airport for dinner and watch the planes land and depart.

[@jc2971]

So true what you said, Dylan. Today air travel is simply an upgrade from the Greyhound Bus. Sad to say

[@itsjohndell]

Same with Newark in the 50's and 60's, people went to the restaurant The Newarker.

[@Dive-Bar-Casanova]

People dressed up to go to the airport.

[@gracefkim]

Wow... I can only imagine!

[@TWATWA-qy4zn]

I walked down those stairs, and thru that tunnel thousands of times. Enjoyed your video, and thank you for the kind words about TWA.

[@CPny65]

My mother actually worked at the temporary TWA terminal while this was built and then was one of the original TWA team opening the new terminal, as well as giving tours to engineers.

[@gracefkim]

giving back to the community - i love that.

[@INANYMIN]

My mom worked in this terminal back in 80s n 90s , loved when she took me to work with her ... Very happy they made this beautiful bird into a hotel

[@gracefkim]

so cool to see that your mother worked there... was always curious on what it was like - after visiting the hotel myself! :)

[@jdlaurence9900]

Its great to see such enthusiasm for history and nostalgia. Well done ! TWA was the first carrier to take me to the UK, nonstop ORD TO LHR in 1985. I sat First Class. incredible!!!

[@FABAGENT]

Yes my first international trip (and by myself) was ATL-JFK-MAD followed soon by ATL-JFK-LIS …..since then I've been all over the world and it started here actually. TWA, long story, gave me my airline start as I just completed my 25th year with the airline I am with now....but am still proud I graduated from TWA's airline school in Saint Louis.

[@MrMalibu84]

I was in this terminal in April 1993. A group of high school students heading to Rome. On the return flight there was a strike at FCO. In an attempt to get us kids home, this tour company was a BIG TWA account we were upgraded to first class. 20 some kids from 2 upstate NY high schools. It was the best experience of my life.

[@JamesBrown-ij1px]

I’m IN. I was born in 1962, so I MUST stay here and celebrate ‘Golden Age’ Air Travel!

[@cyberi4a]

As someone who's worked for TWA it was nice to see the name, the logo, the history is still around.

[@gracefkim]

That's so awesome to hear!! How long ago did you work for TWA?!

[@gracefkim]

I'd love to get to know your story! I just visited the TWA Hotel & only imagined what it was like to work there!

[@FalconsEye58094]

If only the rest of New York catches up and has this kind of cleanup and style

[@colinclark7977]

Are you the points guy? Cute :) as a cabin crew I'm a DYING to stay here..it looks amazing 😍

[@joncampos5551]

I see a lot of “souvenirs” go missing every day. They better be prepared. Lol

[@juandigital2003]

Thank you for the tour! Amazing!

[@garyfayman5976]

Oh my Gosh, this brings back memories! I remember flying TWA as a young kid in the early 1990s from LaGuardia to West Palm Beach to visit my grandparents!

[@gaguy1967]

I didnt realize that Points Guy was 20 years old

[@ThePointsGuyArrivals]

25* ;)

[@gaguy1967]

@@ThePointsGuyArrivals oh ok 25..

[@frankgrimesification]

I used to enjoy flying TWA and having lots of great TWA tea back in the day.

[@richard1113]

Very cool! As someone who appreciates the nostalgia and miss airlines like TWA and PanAm this is awesome! One thing though, when you put up the graphic saying "4 hour blocks starting at $150" I was like, no way would I pay $900/night. Happy to see I was just on their site and I could get an overnight stay for $239.

[@jdmrestor]

Was there many times with my dad who was a captain for TWA, flying 707s from SFO. :-)

[@PlanesTrainsEverything]

I read about this hotel in January and it immediately shot up to the number one spot on my Hotel bucket list. How seriously cool is that place!

[@hanscua]

Since the TWA Hotel has just opened and TWA used to be the airline, I would think that TWA should be revived in the future. I really missed TWA for over 18 years now. I would think that JetBlue should be renamed as TWA in the future since JetBlue is using the former TWA Terminal at JFK Airport rather than having TWA start from scratch.

[@bohemoth1]

Because I take very long trips I always stay at airport hotels. Being from Brooklyn New York, we often went to JFK to eat and watch the planes land and takeoff. My very first flight was on a TWA Constellation during the 1950s. In the third Grade my teacher took us to JFK and we were given a tour of the Constellation. I even got to sit in the pilot's seat. We took PanAm to London on a Constellation for my uncle's wedding. Flying in Africa on a DC 3 was the bomb! I still have the drone humming in my ears! So with those fond memories I am most DEFINITELY booking a few nights at the TWA JFK Airport Hotel real soon.

[@jr13227]

I’m going to New York just to stay here

[@Schumanized]

Saw it a couple of weeks ago!!! Super cool!!

[@madwolf0966]

Finally a piece of aviation history.preserved for everyone to see.

[@planesense7390]

I remember growing up in NY and going there in the 80's and early 90's and walking thru those cool flight tubes straight to the gate even if I wasnt flying

[@gracefkim]

wish i was able to remember this! sheesh :)

[@MichaelWConnor]

The TWA Hotel looks awesome, especially the pool. Can’t wait to correspond a stay here with my upcoming travel.

[@frankgrimesification]

I'll always enjoy some good ol' TWA tea!

[@ungh8365]

Great video I hope to visit it myself in the future. Greetings from Finland!

[@mikegehre570]

WOW! A stay at this place is on my Bucket List as of right now

[@YourTravelTV]

Fantastic video. Great job. My next plan...try this hotel!!

[@marcs.9467]

Ihr hier? 😁👌

[@clausstimpfig3803]

I already did. me, a former TWA f/a , I had been travelling throug a timetunnel...I found myself in a serene atmosphere, like being Young again.

[@Kevin_747]

Thanks for the tour at JFK. I'm a Kansas City native where TWA had a huge presence. I had plenty of girl chasing going on at the TWA Breech Academy in the mid 70's. I had a 38 year airline career as a pilot but by the time TWA offered me a job I was a captain at a cargo airline feeding a family so didn't make the move. I know a lot of TWA pilots. Love to hear TWA history.

[@uknewslink]

Thank you for this tour.

[@ThePointsGuyArrivals]

Glad you enjoyed! Are you planning on visiting?

[@uknewslink]

The Points Guy | TPG yes planning a trip to New York in August.

[@DanielBacaMaker]

I think I was one of many of the last passengers to go through this terminal back in 1989 or 90 on a flight back from NYC to San Diego CA, USA. I remember all of the curves and lines. I Think if i ever go back to NYC I have to try to book a room there.

[@finalascent]

3:43-3:44 "When Dag Died" Umm... The great Dag Hammerskjold bought it in a place crash. Maybe not the best piece of decor for this sort of hotel concept?

[@abmindprof]

I live in NYC I'll definitely stop by. Won't stay the night though.

[@manuelferis6954]

abmindprof lol right

[@afcgeo882]

They have various day passes!

[@michaelmacdonell2942]

This is remarkably well done

[@harrygruber2302]

Why doesn’t someone reopen TWA. Come on some big business guy restart this company. How about the new concord.

[@cerebellam]

Yep. New dream to come here. Would love to do some sort of 19060s themed photoshoot here!

[@raymondkobel6588]

Went there a couple of times to pick up grandfather from West Palm beach. Remember seats had tv's in waiting area. 25 cents a hr

[@blackorchidwx7626]

Wow this is so Cool! TWA employee kid from Kansas City! JFK is the best mid century mod airport that I loved coming back home to from Europe. Other than MCI... sadly they are demolishing my home town airport it to building new Terminal with a long TSA line. wish someone would save term C and turn it into a twa hotel too.

[@Nick-rg2rb]

So they have a gift shop? Also, this would be an amazing place for plane spotting.

[@johniii8147]

People are going to steal the TWA branded stuff in the room. I don’t expect the branding will last long

[@bohemoth1]

Especially from the tourists and especially the Chinese tourists.

[@user-yg2up4lg3r]

Bill the credit card. The price of this is almost near a 5 stat hotel

[@johniii8147]

David Alexandrovitch Not in NYC

[@beeter3588]

Such a piece of history. Glad it wasn’t abandoned

[@FABAGENT]

And TWA had MANY 747's leaving from JFK.....I know from experience (and L-1011's and 767's etc)

[@robm3074]

Talk about walking down memory lane. Other than the many times I've been in that terminal, the memories I have now are a full bedroom of the TWA memorabilia that needs to be gotten rid of.

[@SkyHighGuys]

Such a nostalgia trip lol

[@edwarddawn2277]

Is the plane bar available during the NYC winter months?

[@dudettegirl3261]

Loved the catch me if you can replay......did you write any bad checks? Nice video.

[@jasonmymail]

>>>MORE>WALLACE>PLEASE

[@jf9488]

The Saarinen building is my favorite, but they do need to finish rebranding and refinishing it. I heard this was a soft opening, and the actual opening is this Fall. Hopefully they’ll have their shit together.

[@alanjay35]

So going!!!!! #avgeeks

[@kevinnketamine]

4:37 TPG shower test, too adorable!!

[@IanAgrimis]

Wallace is a legend

[@pixyrosejes7133]

YAY TWA

[@ZacLowing]

6:31 What is that strange bit of, electronics, taped to the beam just over your shoulder?? Suspicious as hell man! C-4?

[@c4pt1n54no]

Well Kennedy Steve is retired, so no matter what I'd be slightly disappointed if I ever find myself at JFK

[@triplanelover]

I would have preferred seeing this Connie restored to flying status, rather than being a static display. But, it is still a grand old lady to behold, never tire of seeing her gorgeous lines.

[@jdmrestor]

First time there was in a 1049G when it first opened

[@zengseng1234]

If LAX could even get one airport hotel, that would be amazing

[@anthonyi6572]

I took my first flight on a 707 from that building in 1971.

[@srilankanflyer1527]

Bring back TWA !!

[@nickyl9040]

This hotel should do well bc it's the only hotel that's on the property of JFK

[@DS-mo7vu]

The only thing the hotel lacks, is a coffee maker in the rooms. Seriously... so much attn to detail and no coffee makers lol. Makes traveling less streesful and more convenient.

[@brandonshaw1049]

Is the roof open to the public?

[@pixyrosejes7133]

🛩🤩🚀Awesome!🛸😍✈

[@MICHGO1]

BAD AUDIO DROWNED OUT BY MUSIC, BRILLIANT.

[@meganlovesnewyork]

I'll visit in a couple of weeks when in NYC but bet the view isn't as good as top floor Premier Inn London Gatwick for £80 a night in peak season

[@gregghanson6095]

Interesting that this young guy doesn't have much of a sense of the aesthetics of the building, design, etc. He's more interested in travel points and credit cards. He missed the martini bar in the room completely.

[@mdgraystone]

Adjust view to .75x for better audible sound. Obviously the coffee shop was up and running...

[@jazzjas03]

i actually work in the airport and dying to go it

[@DOUGandNIKI]

Nice job with the video. Unfortunately we had the total opposite experience. Our room wasn't ready.....had to go home after they made us wait 4 hours...plus the no food thing was a big bummer. Niki is sitting next to us editing that video now. But...I do agree they did a great job recreating the 1960's, they just weren't ready to open at all and their customer service sucked...for us.

[@ThePointsGuyArrivals]

Ah, sorry to hear that... can only imagine the disappointment for the people who flew all the way in only to have no room ready, no dining and no (real) rooftop access. But yes, overall it's an amazing recreation/reimagining of the space. Do you live close? Hopefully you can stop by when it's completely done in a few weeks.

[@DOUGandNIKI]

@@ThePointsGuyArrivals we do live within an hour so we could visit again and frankly we understand how thing can go wrong, we see it all the time as we travel but, the difference is how those problems are addressed. These guys really failed badly at that part. It was quite shocking for what is supposed to be a high end unique travel experience.

[@marinellacascone1181]

very very beautifull

[@brettpatetto6847]

I was s flight attendant with tws

[@sammalone7352]

Have to put this hotel on my “to visit” list. I heard they have five bars. Would have been nice to pay homage to the original name of the airport by naming one of the bars “ The Idlewild”.

[@andrewgonick]

Does the board work?

[@ThePointsGuyArrivals]

It does! Doesn't show real flight information (sadly) but it works, so you get that old school clacking sound, just as you did in the original TWA Flight Center.

[@thewaitingape]

Don't worry kid. In a few years your voice will change.

[@reinplat]

Fast forward one year: "TWA Hotel files for bankrupty, cripled by soaring coasts of replacing thousands of rehomed bathrobes every month"

[@wandaperi]

…or bedbug infestation

[@semsemeini7905]

The pool is very narrow.

[@tabel4844]

Discounts for current TWA employees only

[@dancingwithnacos]

It is kind a sad thar you see this beautiful place keeping its style, but most of the people you see in it now does not have style at all lol 😂

[@essel23fly]

That’s really cool but who stays at an airport property hotel unless you end up there. It would be better just to turn it into a museum.

[@joannafaith888]

Thanks😎. Totally 👍retro cool. 📅Memories💖 of 1960's... I flew out of 🛫JFK, 🌎decades ago.

[@briansieve]

Minor point that amused me. Technically 1962 was Modern. 2000s are contemporary

[@joncampos5551]

I’d book a room for me and that cute little guy.

[@DougParkin]

p.s. Wallace is FINE. :)

[@aldofhister6859]

Something is not right when somebody your age gets excited over an airport terminal they turned into a hipster Hotel

[@nichtverstehen2045]

Stayed for a night there on May 18th. Never ever again!!! Shittiest hotel I've ever stayed at. No slippers. Light at bathroom wasn't working so I had to keep its door open so there is some light. Overall, it felt like someone else stayed there and they didn't clean the room afterwards.

[@sugarcookiecube]

who has money these days to stay this expensive hotel?

[@jameswaters3939]

Great idea and follow-through - next stop, all of Detroit, Cleveland and any other place that has become run-down with blight. Can capitalism and innovation rescue those areas also?

[@jameswaters3939]

@Westin Taylor I suppose I imagine a kind of Disney-America nationwide, which it likely used to be at some perfect time. Early on, this country was very blessed which "crowned thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea". It may never have actually existed in reality but is ever-present in our imagination. Architecture is a great expression and endeavor of this. The 1960's were, along with everything else in the tumultuous politics, the jet age, and the TWA terminal building was, and is again, iconic.

[@Marchant2]

I really hope this hotel succeeds because if it does't the wrecker ball may become a threat to this beautiful piece of architecture and destroy what's left of JFK's past glory.

[@derekb4life]

Hey a future Brian?

[@ThePointsGuyArrivals]

Who knows... ;)

[@chase.b2967]

Fuck in and out burger at lax I know where I’m going

[@danishnelson9281]

Y'all need to clean your lenses.

[@andrewpippa5590]

I prefer the segment on the hotel by CBS SUNDAY MORNING over this one. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpiud5ehj8qMeMk

[@jamesclendon4811]

Cool video, and glad to see the building is still standing and being used again. But as an idea for a hotel I just don't think it will fly (see what I did there?) A lot of people might like to see it once, but what will bring them back? The novelty will quickly wear off, even for navgeeks. And the TWA nostalgia will quickly become overbearing; personally, I think the strength of that nostalgia has been overestimated in the first place. Not to mention that TWA will mean nothing at all to many younger flyers. As a hotel at JFK it's certainly brilliantly located--very convenient--but I think that will quickly become its major selling point, TWA be damned. Hope I'm wrong, for the sake of those who sank so much money into it.

[@MeDicen_Rocha]

TWA has been dead for as long as ive been alive, yet i cant wait for an occasion to book myself a room in that hotel. If it isnt for the airline itself it is for the 50's aesthetics

[@thJune]

Once this corona shit is over, I’m going.

[@dr.nooblet6453]

Didn't TWA go bankrupt?

[@deathless3518]

Do they also offer the feeling of crashing into the sea? I mean we want the real TWA experience.

[@rickster100100]

This guy is way too juvenile to be making this presentation. He has the voice of a high school sophomore. Presentation is good though. But I feel, like from an era gone by, that I’m getting a lecture from the newspaper boy. They should’ve gotten a more seasoned travel historian expert. Not Opie.

[@dbedazzling1]

Yup we need an older person who really will appreciate this to represent it n give views

[@dj33036]

I predict this to be a giant fail.