There’s a New, Better Way to Clear Security at JFK Terminal 1

Security at a U.S. airport is often something to be dreaded. When the airport is New York City’s JFK, that dread is usually justified.

Security at JFK Terminal 1, however, is now a better experience if you’re willing to pay for it. VIP ONE is a premium, VIP security option that lets you bypass the regular or TSA PreCheck security line (there’s no CLEAR in Terminal 1) in favor of a chic, easy and fast alternative. Once you’re checked in, you go into the VIP One security lounge between check-in rows E and F instead of toward security. In Zach Griff’s experience (see below), the process took under a minute.

Here are the options, straight from the site:

VIP ONE Silver ($35/flight, $275/year or free with Air France/JAL/Korean Air/Lufthansa first class)

• Direct access to security checkpoint through VIP ONE’s exclusive departure lounge
• Help with TSA’s requirements (divesting, baggage compliance etc.)

VIP ONE Platinum ($200/flight)

• Curbside baggage assistance
• Check-in assistance
• Direct access to security checkpoint through VIP ONE’s exclusive departure lounge
• Help with TSA’s requirements (divesting, baggage compliance etc.)
• Access to Prime Class Lounge
• Escort to boarding gate

What VIP ONE is like in detail

The Points Guy’s Zach Griff gave VIP ONE a try last week and wrote up his experience in detail. He took plenty of photos, too. From his account, it looks like it’s worth it. He says in his wrap-up:

“I’ve always dreaded the ground experience for flights departing from JFK’s Terminal 1. In general, the terminal is overcrowded and security can take forever. However, with VIPOne’s new packages, the security process is a breeze. Considering that airlines typically sell priority boarding and fast track security packages for $15 or more, I don’t think that $35 is unreasonable for a VIP security experience that’s better than both PreCheck and Clear and perhaps will make you even look forward to clearing security at T1.”

For a fuller account of the VIP ONE experience and how to skip security at JFK Terminal 1, read Zach’s story here.

What airlines fly out of JFK Terminal 1?

• Aeroflot
• Air China
• Air France
• Air Italy
• Alitalia
• Austrian Airlines
• AZAL Azerbaijan Airlines
• Brussels Airlines
• Cayman Airways
• China Eastern Airlines
• EVA Air
• Evelop Airlines (or Terminal 7)
• Hi Fly
• Interjet
• JAL
• Korean Air
• Lufthansa
• Norwegian Air
• Philippine Airlines
• Royal Air Maroc
• Saudia
• Turkish Airlines
• Viva Aerobus
• Wamos Air