It’s 2023 and its time to embark on my first adventure of the year. Ultimately my final destination is Japan, but I have a few “hoops” to “fly” through before I arrive. Being a bit of a plane geek. My itinerary consists of a roundabout way to Asia. This is because I have a Singapore Airlines flight from New York’s JFK airport to Singapore. Why would I fly this when there is a direct flight from my home airport you ask? Well, as of the writing of this post, it is the longest passenger flight in the world.
So in order to take this flight I would need to fly from Vancouver to New York. Essentially, flying “away” from Asia, to get to Asia.
Fly to New York to Fly to Singapore
As my Singapore flight is part of a larger Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Redemption, I would be flying Alaska Airlines flights to New York. My first flight would depart Vancouver International Airport (YVR) at the yawn inducing hour of 6AM. This means that I need to be at the airport an hour or two earlier. Thankfully I’m able to visit the newly renovated transborder Plaza Premium lounge where I proceed to have a little breakfast and much needed coffee.
Soon it’s time to head to the gate, but we are delayed a half hour as a flight attendant had forgot their passport. Eventually we get underway and even though we leave Vancouver late, the pilots end up getting us to Seattle early. So kudos to the Alaska Airlines pilots flying that route. The flight is short and sweet.
I arrive in Seattle and pick up some coffee and snacks at the Alaska Airlines lounge before heading to my gate. I board my flight to JFK and soon enough we are off! This flight is just as smooth and comfortable as my last.
Alaska Airlines offers entertainment through wifi on your own device. However, I am pretty content to spend most of my time looking out the window and taking in some amazing scenery as we fly over the United States.
TWA Hotel
After arriving in JFK, I take the air train from the Alaska Airlines terminal to the Singapore Airlines terminal. Thankfully they let me check my bag early so I can explore unencumbered. After doing this, I hop on the train again and make my way to the TWA Hotel.
Ever since JFK became a stop on my itinerary the TWA Hotel lands at the top of my list of places to visit. The TWA Hotel is a hotel that is built around the original TWA Flight Center. This historic and iconic building was an airport terminal for Trans World Airlines built in the 60’s. Walking into the hotel now, is like taking a step back in time to what many consider the golden age of air travel. The main building is home to a bar and lounge, restaurant, the hotel lobby and several historical displays. The interior design attempts to replicate period accuracy and I’m pretty sure I am smiling the whole time I walk through the building.
Connie Cocktail Lounge
In the courtyard (tarmac) of the hotel there is the Connie Cocktail Lounge. This is a preserved Lockheed Constellation Airplane that has been converted into a cocktail lounge. Knowing this I of course had to have a drink here. You walk up the permanent air stairs into the main cabin of the Aircraft. Just like the rest of the hotel, the interior is also decorated with a 60’s theme. Personally, its just really cool to have an experience like this! After ordering a beverage, find a seat and maybe pretend what it might have been like flying in the 60’s a little.
I spend an hour or two exploring more nooks and crannies of the Hotel before I begrudgingly say good bye make my way back to the Singapore Airlines Terminal for my next flight.
I will be flying the “longest flight in the world” clocking in at a little under nineteen hours.
The TWA experience must have been fantastic!!
Love this post! You mentioned that your Singapore flight was part of the Alaska miles redemption, does this mean that your flight from yvr>sea>new york>sin were all part of the same itinerary? All under the same redemption?
Also. TWA LOOKS SO COOL! How neat to be transformed back into the 60’s!
Yup! This was done all under the same Alaska Airlines Redemption