Probably the best of New York/New Jerseys three big airports, but still terrible. Bring your own fan, AC never works. Bring you own food. Non-existent dining options in C terminal
Need a cheap way into Manhattan? Take the M60 public bus ($2.50) to the Astoria Blvd. N/Q subway station. Catch the Manhattan-bound train there. (Buses take MetroCards or coins only; no dollar bills.)
Heading to CMUNNY V this weekend? Take the NY Airport Service shuttle to Port Authority then take the 1 train uptown to 116th. (or the 2/3 train to 96th & transfer to the 1 train for a faster ride)
If you're leaving from A gates and have priority access, use regular security lane for faster service. EVERYONE has priority access, and TSA alternates taking 1 from each line.
Transferring on the shuttle bus from one gate to the next a a hassle, especially given the fact that boarding to the busplatform requires you to use steep stairs.
Coming in late night Friday or Saturday? Don't bother with the M-60. You'll wait 5 busses and get crammed in. Splurge on a cab or other mode for the night.
Terminal B, where American Airlines is docked is a very small section. The choices of food is very limited to food kiosks with the exception of Samuel Adams, a very small eatery
There's almost always delays here. But, if you have a Metrocard it's cheaper (free) to get to this airport using the Select Bus Service than having to take NJ Transit to Newark.
If you can, try to fly out of Terminal A. It's the original terminal of the airport, super small, no lines at security, and Delta gives you free coffee!
Funny how I was reading that everything's always delayed at this place, and on my plane they just announced that we have to sit here to 30 minutes until we can make it into the gate. Fun times (。-_-。)
Brooklyn people...highly recommend avoiding Yellow Cabs for return home... Best to find local town car driver you like and reserve pickup at departure level (avoid lower level congestion)...home faste
If you're flying on Southwest, be advised they do not assign seats. Head directly toward the middle of the aircraft and grab an emergency exit row. This way you're guaranteed an aisle or window seat.
Pro tip: if C security is long you can go through D and take the shuttle (and vice versa). Leave yourself time but not so much time that you have to sit in the crappy terminals.
Terminal B is a hellhole vortex of rude a-holes, from normally-friendly Southwest check-in agents to security-line personnel and travelers who put their bags all over seats at the gate.
Forget about food and drinks if you are stuck in C. Just a minimal assortment of Hudson News and Annie's Pretzels (literally). People are an afterthought here.
If for some reason, you're looking for United Club, it's actually outside the security line. (This airport has an odd layout.) Concourse C, behind the ticket counters.
I just found out Time Warner Cable customers get free wifi at Boingo hotspots! Just choose TWC from the drop down and sign in with your username and password.
If you are flying Delta, all flights do NOT leave from the main terminal so make sure to check the gate letter -- if it begins with C, have the cab drop you off at Terminal C.
Getting home by car service? Ask them to meet you at the departures. Instead of going downstairs walk straight out, less traffice, and parkingpolice won't hassle them.
Security doesn't open until 4.30am, so while its good to get here early to beat the crowds, don't get here too early. You'll just spend it lining up waiting for them to open.
You can check in online, check bags and the drop them off at the curb outside. You don't need to do it inside. Saved us about 20min of wait time just by doing that.
For $2.25 or one Metrocard swipe, you can get downtown via the MTA M60 bus which connects to the N/R Train, also goes across bridge to 125th . During rush hour, its TONS faster than a cab.
The coffee shop in the Terminal Bfood court is open 24hrs in case you need it.. but it's pricey - $4 for a bottle of water. Take the free shuttle to get between the terminals.