We checked out JFK International and Heathrow Airport to see which offers a better travel experience - and the winner was clear

Mary Hanbury

May 7, 2018, 21:58 IST

We checked out JFK International and Heathrow Airport to see which offers a better travel experience - and the winner was clear

Business Insider/Mary Hanbury

John F. Kennedy Airport, New York, Terminal 8.

In the American Society of Civil Engineers' 2017 Infrastructure Report Card, the US infrastructure received a D+ grade, which equates to it being "in poor to fair condition and mostly below standard."
US airports were highlighted as one of the areas in need. Despite this, when Trump laid out his much-anticipated infrastructure plan in February, airports barely got a mention.
Local governors are taking matters into their own hands. In 2017, New York's Governor Cuomo proposed a $10 billion renovation of John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. This is currently being negotiated.
We compared the experience of flying in and out of New York's JFK airport and London's Heathrow airport and found that Heathrow was the clear winner.

The US has an infrastructure problem.

In the American Society of Civil Engineers' 2017 Infrastructure Report Card, which is published every four years, the US infrastructure received a D+ grade, which equates to it being "in poor to fair condition and mostly below standard, with many elements approaching the end of their service life," according to its guide online.

In the study, the ASCE estimated that the country needs to spend around $4.5 trillion improving the state of its infrastructure, including airports. Despite this, when Trump laid out his much-anticipated infrastructure plan in February, airports barely got a mention.

As one of the US's most important business hubs, New York's airports frequently come under scrutiny for not cutting it.

In 2017, New York's Governor Cuomo and the Port Authority proposed a $10 billion plan to completely overhaul the city's main airport, John F. Kennedy, this is currently being negotiated. The Port Authority has budgeted $1 billion towards this airport expansion and is banking on the fact that the private sector will provide the remaining $9 billion.

"This is a race, my friends," Cuomo said in 2017, comparing New York to other international cities such as London and Dubai, who have launched major infrastructure developments in the past few years. "We sat on our laurels for too long."

With this in mind, we decided to compare the experience of flying and landing at JFK versus London Heathrow.

Here's how they stack up:

One of the biggest downsides of flying out of New York on British Airways is having to go to terminal 7 at JFK. On this occasion, we got lucky and flew with one of its partners – American Airlines, which departs from the more glitzy terminal 8 at JFK.

Terminal 8 is the largest passenger terminal in the airport. It is twice the size of Madison Square Garden.

The experience of queuing for security was hassle free, there was a ton of space and lots of staff to help.

In the US, there is a separate, fast-track security process called TSA PreCheck.

Once we were through security, we sussed out the shopping selection. As travel retail has been one of the sector's biggest sweet spots, we were keen to see how much of a shopping destination this is.

There was a mix of designer brands such as Chanel and Michael Kors and mass-market stores such as Victoria's Secret.

Aside from shopping, the best way to kill time in the airport is to eat or drink.

There was a good amount of restaurants but a real lack of healthy choices.

The seating area was less impressive.

We found one formal restaurant, Bobby Van's Steakhouse, which is part of a chain of restaurants.

And, of course, an Irish pub.

There were a ton of places to sit and wait for your flight and a selection of power stations to charge your phone.

In the US, any products bought at duty-free are taken to the gate for pickup. The sales assistant was not able to confirm why this policy exists. However several travel forums claim that this is to prevent international travelers from buying duty-free products for domestic travelers departing from the same terminal.

After a night on the red eye, we woke up in London at Heathrow terminal 3.

The first thing we note is that signs are prolific at Heathrow.

You are never at a loss for directions.

The queue for immigration moves quickly.

The experience of departing from JFK and landing at Heathrow felt very similar until you consider onwards travel.

Just before we enter the arrivals area, Heathrow tempts us with some more duty-free shopping.

Two days later, we head back to Heathrow for the return flight. This time we hit the jackpot – British Airways terminal 5.

This terminal is dedicated to British Airways flights.

Once through security, we hit its bright and airy central waiting area.

Terminal 5 is known for being a shopping destination.

It is clear that many of the stores are aimed at tourists who are visiting England.

There are several bars and restaurants including Michelin star chef Gordon Ramsay's, Plane Food.

Ramsay created takeaway food boxes for travelers to take on flights.

There is a mini train which connects you to some of the gates which are further away.

We wake up bleary-eyed at JFK terminal 7. Despite dashing off the plane as quickly as we could, the queue from our flights had already built up at immigration.

Onward travel options are limited and there is no direct train into New York City. Travelers can either take an AirTrain to the nearest metro and rail stations or catch a taxi.

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