A long journey to JFK and how Haneda’s Priority Pass lounges became harder to use.
December 8, 2024
Flying from Haneda to New York
My friends and their family live in New York, and they invited me to visit them. Despite being nervous about the weak yen, I decided to go.
I boarded American Airlines flight AA168 from Haneda Airport’s Terminal 3 to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (see on map).
Long Lines Before Departure
That afternoon, one of the two security checkpoints was closed, and the remaining one had an unbelievably long line. I was already exhausted before even leaving Japan.
Still, I wasn’t too worried. Once I cleared immigration, I planned to relax in one of the Priority Pass lounges—something I always look forward to when traveling abroad.
Or so I thought.
Trouble with Priority Pass Lounges at Haneda
Haneda’s Terminal 3 has two lounges accessible with a Priority Pass.
The more convenient TIT Lounge, however, only accepts Priority Pass members between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. In other words, it’s open to us only during off-peak hours.
I was then directed to Sky Lounge South, but when I arrived, a long line had already formed. I had to wait more than 30 minutes to get in.
When I finally entered, I grabbed an onigiri and some ice cream, but boarding time was approaching, so I couldn’t really relax.
There was an announcement saying the AA168 flight would depart earlier than scheduled, but in the end, it was delayed and took off right on time.
On Board American Airlines AA168
Three meals were served on board—dinner, a light snack, and breakfast.
After a long flight, we arrived at JFK’s Terminal 8.
Arrival at JFK and Getting to Manhattan
At immigration, the officer asked me two simple questions: “What’s the purpose of your visit?” and “How long will you stay?” I answered that I would stay at my friend’s house, and I passed through smoothly.
From the airport to Manhattan, I took the AirTrain and then the subway.
The AirTrain doesn’t require a ticket or tap-in when you board. You simply pay the fare—USD 8.50—when you exit at the transfer station (in my case, Jamaica Station).
New York’s public transportation system, including the AirTrain, subways, and buses, supports contactless payment. It was very convenient to use Apple Pay on my iPhone (with my Visa card set as an Express Transit card).
My friend and his kids were waiting for me at the station.
