While most major airports have a hotel that connects directly to one of the terminals, the one at New York’s JFK Airport is unique for multiple reasons: it is built on the site of the former Trans World Airlines terminal, maintains that “Mad Men”-era vibe of commercial aviation in its early days and has a rooftop pool from which one can watch planes taking off from one of the runways.
Connected to JFK’s Terminal 5 through a walkway, the TWA Hotel is the only hotel that can be accessed on foot directly from the airport instead of through a shuttle ride. As a result, it is both a hidden gem specifically sought out by aviation geeks and the default hotel for those who need to spend a night at the airport.
The vintage vibe of retro TWA ads, a luggage belt behind the check-in counter and a cocktail bar inside a 1958 Lockheed Constellation plane ends up being a pleasant surprise to some.
The TWA Hotel rooftop pool offers year-round runway views at JFK
While the TWA website specifies whether the room one is booking has a view of the runway (the latter will spike the price from the $300-a-night to the $400-a-night rate), the most beloved feature also accessible by day pass is the rooftop pool overlooking the runway.
Heated up to 95 degrees Farenheit (38°C) to keep it operating year-round, it functions as a long heated jaccuzzi overlooking Runway 4 and attached to a pool bar designed in the style of a vintage mountain chalet and ski gondola.
Related: What exactly is a very British spa? London is about to get one
Between November 1 and April 30, the pool can be accessed by anyone with a booked stay at the hotel at any time. Due to its popularity during the summer months, even guests need to book a timed reservation with a $25 cover for adults (there are also charge-free periods in the morning hours).
Non-guests can book a drop-in rate of $50 per visit for two hours on the pool deck and towels. The rooms can also be booked for four-hour intervals during the day as part of the hotel’s Daytripper pass option.
Veronika Bondarenko
How to book the pool at the TWA hotel in the summer and winter
The need to book and pay for pool slots despite already paying the room rate is a common sense of annoyance among TWA guests in the summer but it becomes necessary due to the pool’s small size and popularity among those coming in from NYC for day lounging in the summer.
With the pool transformed into an outdoor jacuzzi during the fall and winter months, that November-to-April period is the best time to book a stay and plane-watch from the water without restrictions.
More Travel News:
- Airline to launch unusual new flight to Cayman Islands from the U.S.
- What you can expect at Disneyland’s new ‘World of Frozen’
- Unexpected country is most luxurious travel destination for 2026
- U.S. government issues strange warning on Ireland travel
While still a hidden gem that many never learn about, the rooftop hotel is discovered annually by New Yorkers looking to cool off when the weather heats up. Aviation geeks from around the world, meanwhile, come to the TWA Hotel year-round for those panoramic runway views — a few other hotels with rare outdoor pools include the Hyatt Regecy at Orlando International (MCO) and the Grand Hyatt at Dallas Fort Worth (DFW).
Punta Cana International (PUJ) in the Dominican Republic also has an infinity pool with views of planes taking off in a Terminal B lounge accessible to travelers in high fares on various airlines or status earned through a carrier or credit card.
Related: I got a look inside the most iconic spa hotel in Paris
