Delayed Flights & Airport Bites
JFK - an international airport in Queens NY. A pain in the ass to get to no matter where you’re coming from, but nevertheless, a crossroad of the world and cuisines. A recent work trip to London preceding a 4+ hour delay offered a new appreciation of the collision of cultures and flavors experienced in a JFK airport lounge, after finally reaching a frequent flyer milestone.
Delayed Flights & Airport Bites
Until I hit my 30’s I’ve traveled almost exclusively in the US, but have always been enamored by the diverse staples and ingredients that make a place memorable. LA street tacos, New Mexican chilies, New Jersey pizza, the Philly cheesesteak, grits in the South, NY bagels, the list goes on.
Having lived on both the east coast and west coast, I’ve spent the majority of my adult life racking up endless bills on airline miles and airport meals. Meals varied based on the airport where certain bars or restaurants were the go-to. In Phoenix it’s always Pita Jungle or Four Peaks visit, Illy Caffe in SF, Chickie & Pete’s in Philly or Barney’s Beanery in LA. Comfort meals on the road - consistent, good, no surprises. And of course, always accompanied by the not so welcome airport dining price tag.
Here I am in late June of 2024 at JFK, excited to embark on my first ever transatlantic work trip only to find my flight is delayed 4 hours. As I begin to strategize on what terminal restaurant I’ll settle down in for the evening, I noticed something new on my boarding pass. After 15+ years of traveling with the same airline, countless cross country voyages, and God knows how much spent on airport meals…it’s finally happened. Lounge access. A new world unlocked.
As I make my way through the bar area I’m mesmerized by a colorful buffet of cuisines. I’d visited lounges before as a guest, but perhaps now that I’ve finally earned access, my senses spark with wonder and appreciation. Middle Eastern, Italian, American, Indian, Thai, etc - countless representations of cuisine and tastes. A stark contrast to my normal airport meal routine, I bring samples of everything I can fit on my plate. Couscous and hummus is mixed with croquettes, caprese salad, mac & cheese, Thai noodles and a side of tomato soup. Flavors that may not go together conventionally, but in this corner of JFK and crossroads of the world, tasted just right. I look around and notice people of all nationalities speaking a range of languages doing the exact same - taking this opportunity to bring foods and flavors together.
Some may consider this just a glorified buffet, and they are probably right. I take my last bite feeling grateful for this hodge podge meal. Extremely full and ready to pass out on the 7 hour flight, I realized I was missing a staple food of my next destination. Begrudgingly I make my way back to the table for one last sample: Chips (aka fried potatoes). A food that was present in almost every airport meal I’d consumed prior, but today was an afterthought. I bypass the fish and go straight to the chips. The familiar greasy crunch is comforting. With that, I board a flight to London.
Chips
