JFK Cell Phone Lot

I wish there was a restroom, it’s a pretty accessible lot

What a sane thing to have when you’re picking up someone at JFK… a safe, legal parking area FREE OF CHARGE where you can wait in peace! I sat all comfy in my car watching the flight’s progress at
, so I knew when it landed. I stayed in the parking lot for another 30 minutes while my friend disembarked and got his luggage. There’s supposed to be a 60 minute parking limit but that’s not really enforced. When my friend was finally out the door of the terminal, he called and I was there in under 5 minutes. Too bad the cell phone lot doesn’t have a restroom, that would have been helpful.

This the best idea ever for picking up anyone at the airport. Trying to time picking up someone is usually hit or miss at the terminals. Then your either circling the terminal, trying to park illegally or paying for parking.
It’s literally just an open outdoor parking lot. You’re a three minute drive to any of the terminals.

Given that JFK flights delay more often than not, I was quite happy when I found they have a free parking lot just for waiting. At the airport parking costs $ 4 for every 30 min and parking on the curb is always so unappealing to me as cars pull in and out so frequently always had me watching my surroundings for aggressive taxi drivers. Where as this parking lot is 100% free of charge and people stay around their cars so that you can wait in peace and quiet.
I would say on the Thursday night I visited it was about 60−70% full and it was a little hard to navigate around as most people don’t exactly park too neatly being this is a temp parking lot. Still on a nice weather its definitely not a bad place to wait for the plane to arrive while killing time. If they added a wifi spot and a bathroom would definitely be a 5 star place. They do list place on the Port Authority’s JFK website and I did see signs as I was getting off 678 directing me to the lot. Still I think they are probably not utilize 100% as I see cars parked on the side of the highway during my trip to the airport.
It’s a great concept that I hope it gets more and more visibility not only to reduce frustration and stress while picking someone up at JFK but also make it safer for everyone as well.