JetBlue does not offer a lounge to its premium cabin passengers, but does offer a swanky rooftop terrace in Terminal 5 at New York JFK available to all passenger. That’s where I spent my layover between flights.
JFK T5 Rooftop Terrace By JetBlue
I have to admit, I walked right by the entrance as I looked for it. It is located past security, across from Gate 28. Rather than a big door, the entrance almost looks like a door to a closet or restroom. You’ll find green tile on the other side and another doorway to the actual terrace.
It’s really a rather spacious area, though the majority of it was blocked off by a crowd control barrier. Still, there was plenty of seating in the area available (with room for literally hundreds more if the full terrace was re-opened). I love the greenery (the shrubs and plants, not the artificial turf) and find this a great public place.
See the vegetables? The roof also serves as a farm.
The 24,000 square foot farm features 3,000 crates of potato plants, herbs and other produce. It highlights local farmers and New York’s agriculture by growing more than 1,000 pounds of blue potatoes per harvest and housing 2,000 herbs and plants, including a variety of produce such as leeks, arugula, beets, kale and carrots. It is the first functioning farm in the world at an airport.
If you have a pet that needs relief, the “Wooftop” has a special place for your pooch. Please do pick up after your dog and keep it leashed when not in the relief area.
There are “no smoking” signs outside the entrance and on the terrace itself, but of course there was a dude vaping away and another dude who smelled (from over six feet away) like he had just smoked a fat joint.
Thankfully, those two cleared out and we just had to contend with the fresh smell of jet fuel.
CONCLUSION
Yeah, the air isn’t all the fresh…but it’s still a beautiful space and until JetBlue partners with Aer Lingus (the only lounge operator in the terminal) or opens its own lounge, this will be where I wait out my layovers while in JFK T5.
Ultimately, JetBlue can’t compete on these premium routes without real lounges. Get on it, guys
I’m not the type to sit in an airplane lounge and gorge myself on FOOD. Trust me, you will feel worse when you get off the plane if you EAT and Drink.
@anthony … JetBlue Mint load factors are through the roof (pun intended ) so I’m not sure where you get your data. Would you rather have a lounge ? Or a lie flat seat ? On most MINT routes , B6 is competing against traditional recliners. I love how Delta bullies on in to BOS and shows off their new A321… THATS what DL is bringing to compete on BOS- LAX/SFO. Too funny. Enjoy the sky club !!
You’re right. When I saw the A321, I thought, “Wow, the 757-200 was old, but at least it had lie-flat beds!”
In summer the place is a nice respite, but for 5-6 months of the year it is unbearably cold and windy.
The full space is open now. I was just there Thursday night (7/7). Was very comfortable in the evening.
As a proud Potato Farmer I hope you all enjoy.
Sunshine, walking, now that’s my idea of flying. Too bad the terrace can’t fly.
I guess all those farms you have to taxi around are not technically AT Narita.
Sometimes, you want to get away from the crush of the terminal. Would be nice if they could add a fire pit for the winter, but the NYFD would throw a fit (unless you invited them with a marshmallow roast).