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JetBlue Takes 5 at JFK On October 22, 2008, JetBlue opened its newTerminal 5 at JFK International Airport. This building sits directlybehind the landmark TWA Flight Center, the architecturally acclaimedlandmark designed by noted architect Eero Saarinen, and opened onMay 28, 1962. This new 635,000 square foot, 26 gate Terminal 5 wasdesigned by the Gensler architectural firm and built in collaborationwith Turner Construction Company, Arup, DMJM Harris/AECOM andRockwell Group. Because it sits directly behind the Saarinen building,JetBlue says the new terminal “interprets the iconic TWA Flight Centerfor today’s jet set” adding that the “low profile and angular shape complement rather than compete with Saarinen’s curvilinear design.”

This detail shot shows the Saarinen building as it appears today, with the new terminal visiblebehind it. Gensler’s architects designed a low profile and angular shape to complement ratherthan compete with Saarinen’s curvilinear design. The left side of the terminal includes a “tip up”that echoes the Saarinen building’s profile. (Ben Wang)

TWA Flight CenterThe TWA Flight Center opened when

New York International Airport atIdlewild was a symbol of the Jet Age, andeach major U.S. airline serving the air-port built and operated its own individualterminal. Although each airline attempt-ed to surpass the others in buildingdesign, the most acclaimed of these ter-minals was TWA’s Flight Center. Thisinnovative structure, which was styled to

look like a giant concrete bird, won several awards and is now a registeredNew York City landmark. For almostfour decades, this terminal served as theNew York base for TWA’s famous fleet ofred and white airliners.

TWA outgrew the Flight Center andexpanded into the vacated National ter-minal in the early 1980s. But by 1996,after several years of financial losses, adownsizing TWA reduced its number of

JFK flights and retreated to the Saarinenbuilding, which by then had been re-named Terminal 5. By the late 1990s,the former National terminal, now calledTerminal 6, was only used by a fewflights each day.

Enter JetBlueEnter David Neelman, who

announced a proposed new airline inFebruary of 1999. Neelman realized that

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Above: Terminal 5 construction began onDecember 7, 2005, and the building’s structure was taking shape byOctober 14, 2006, whenthis photograph was taken.To the left is a small remnant of TWA’s “FlightWing Two,” one of that carrier’s gate areas thatwas demolished to makeroom for the new terminal. To the right is A320N526JB, its JetBlue painthaving been stripped. Thisaircraft would go on to flyfor Air Berlin and BlueWings as D-ANND. (Bill Hough)

Left:Terminal 5 features excel-lent views of JFK’s taxiwaysand runways. Here, A320N746JB, one of severalwith special “Jetting to T5”titles, passes the end ofthe concourse on TaxiwayAlpha. (JetBlue Airways)

JFK International Airport had a lot ofexcess capacity during much of the day,as well as an under-utilized terminal. Thecarrier, using the working name “NewAir,” placed an order with AirbusIndustrie for a fleet of A320s. The con-tract included 25 firm orders, 25 optionsand purchase rights for 25 additional aircraft. Furthermore, JetBlue arrangedto lease seven more A320s. The aircraftare configured with 162 coach seats fea-turing DirecTV satellite televisions ineach seatback. Originally, the airlineplanned to charge passengers $5 to viewthe television; however, after a couple of

months, the charge was dropped.Naming the airline took a few more

months and involved much deliberation.Rebecca Johnson, writing in Travel & Leisure, reported that Neelman’s staff was opposed to “geographicdescriptions such as Southwest orNorthwest or made-up words like Acelaor Acura.” Some of the names considered and rejected included“Zoom,” “Civilization,” “Yes!,” “Home”and “It” (for “Idlewild Transportation”).Other name candidates included “Taxi,”“Egg” and “True Blue.” Johnson reportsthat the latter name was selected but that

Thrifty Rent-A-Car owned the name.Shortly thereafter, True Blue morphedinto JetBlue.

On September 16, 2000, the newlynamed airline was awarded an exemptionfor 75 slots at New York City’s JFKInternational Airport after it promised tooffer low fare service to underservedupstate communities. JetBlue’s firstA320, N503JB, was unveiled to themedia and employees at JFKInternational Airport on Saturday,December 4, 1999. JetBlue’s fleet wasthe first to be equipped with satellite televisions at each passenger seat.

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Terminal 5’s bright check-in area features plenty of natural light. Passengers may use one of 40 traditional ticket counters and 65 self service kiosksto check-in for flights. (JetBlue Airways)

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JetBlue obtained its Certificate ofPublic Convenience and Necessity onFebruary 3, 2000, and the first flight tookplace on February 11, with the carrier’ssecond A320, N504JB, operating fromJFK’s Terminal 6 to Buffalo. Afterspeeches by New York City MayorRudolph Giuliani and New York SenatorCharles Schumer in BUF, the aircraftreturned to JFK and then operated around trip to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

JetBlue’s mix of friendly employees,reasonable fares and excellent serviceproved to be a hit with New York travelers, and the airline aggressivelyexpanded during the early 2000s. As theairline expanded, Terminal 6 was partlyrenovated, including $7.5 million of capital investment for improvementswhich included wider roads, new ticketcounters, refurbished restrooms, newbaggage systems and enhanced shopsand restaurants. Despite a temporarydrop in demand that followed the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001,JetBlue rapidly expanded its New Yorkoperation and announced that it was the largest airline at JFK inSeptember of 2004, by which time it was

outgrowing Terminal 6. Accordingly, onAugust 4, 2004, the Port Authority ofNew York and New Jersey (the airportoperator and manager) announced that itand JetBlue would build a 640,000square foot, 26 gate passenger terminaldirectly behind the TWA building, whichhad been vacated and closed in late 2001after American Airlines acquired TWA.(See May/June 2002 issue of Airliners.)

At the same time, the Port Authorityalso announced that it would work withthe Federal Aviation Administration, theNew York State Historic PreservationOffice and the Advisory Council onHistoric Preservation for the rehabilita-tion, restoration and adaptive reuse ofTerminal 5. Port Authority ExecutiveDirector Joseph J. Seymour said, “We’reexcited to usher in a new era at JFK withthis project, which will preserve and protect the stunning TWA Flight Center that is such a fundamental part ofthe airport’s past, while we also employ good business sense to meet ourfuture needs. And we’re pleased to bejoined in our endeavor by JetBlueAirways, whose tremendous growth has helped support the overall success

of the entire airport community.”

A New Terminal 5Construction on the new Terminal 5

began on December 7, 2005, when NewYork Governor George E. Pataki andNew York City Mayor Michael R.Bloomberg presided at a groundbreakingceremony with Port Authority andJetBlue officials. Over the next two and ahalf years, the 635,000 square foot termi-nal rose on a 72 acre site on the easterncorner of what used to be called TerminalCity. The new terminal is located directly behind the Saarinen terminal andconnected to it via the two renovated“flight tubes” that once led to the nowdemolished TWA “Flight Wing” gateareas. A new roadway serving the newbuilding curves behind the old terminal,allowing for direct curbside access. A pedestrian “Sky Walk” connects theterminal with JFK’s “AirTrain” systemand a recently constructed 1,500 spaceparking garage.

Gensler designed Terminal 5 fromthe ground up for the post September11th travel environment. The main lobbyhas 65 e-ticket kiosks in addition to 40

Terminal 5 is almost complete in this view looking west showing the terminal’s proximity to Runway 13L/31R. Beyond the runway is JFK’s northcargo area and Hangars 3/4/5, the famous “triple hangars” built in 1950. (JetBlue Airways)

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traditional ticket counters. Passengersbeing dropped off may also use one ofthe two skycap areas each containing six curbside check-in counters. Whenrenovations are complete, passengerswill also be able to enter via the Saarinenterminal, which will be equipped withcheck-in kiosks. The new terminal features dramatic views of the Saarinenterminal from the “Sky Walk” and check-in hall. The terminal was also builtwith current security procedures in mind.According to JetBlue, the 340 foot widesecurity checkpoint area is designed toaccommodate up to 20 lanes. Currently,the airline indicates that the 15 lanes currently in use adequately support thepresent operation and that additionallanes can be added if capacity increases.The checkpoint features soft rubberflooring for passenger comfort and has a225 foot long “revesting” bench wherepassengers can organize their personalbelongings after security.

After clearing security, passengersenter the 55,000 square foot marketplace

containing 22 restaurants and 25 retailstores. There is one 4 foot grandstandand one 2 foot platform for passengers tosit, eat, work, relax and watch people.The gate areas feature touch screen monitors with a 60 item food and beverage menu. Meals can be delivereddirectly to customers – an airline industry first, designed and operatedexclusively by OTG Management. Thelarge gate areas feature ample seating, afree Wi-Fi network and excellent airsideviews. Arriving passengers will claimtheir baggage in a lively, open and comfortable space with Panelite alongthe length of the back wall, bright orangetops to the baggage carrousels, a lightwell and floating ceiling panels.

On August 23, 2008, JetBlue con-ducted a full scale test of the newterminal when it invited 1,000 frequentflyers to test the terminal’s check-in,baggage and security procedures. “Wepartnered with the Greater TorontoAirports Authority on this,” explainedBryan Baldwin, JetBlue's Manager of

Corporate Communications. “They coordinated our drills and tests. As a customer service company that happensto be an airline, we hold ourselves to ahigh standard when it comes to the customer experience. No matter whathappened around the world with new terminal openings, we did everything inour power to plan, prepare and train sothat our transition from T6 to T5 wouldbe a success.” The invited “passengers”checked bags, passed through securityand pretended to board flights. “We arepressure testing this new facility to makesure there is a much improved groundexperience once we open,” said JetBlue’sCEO Dave Barger.

JetBlue introduced Terminal 5 to themedia on September 22, 2008, when theairline hosted a celebration that featuredan appearance by JetBlue founder DavidNeelman. Elected officials, representa-tives from the Port Authority, businesspartners and invited guests were also onhand to dedicate the new terminal.JetBlue had an A320 and an Embraer 190

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on display, but the real star of the showwas NC18137, an old Lockheed 12painted in TWA colors and flown in fromCalifornia for the occasion. Also presentwere the “Clipped Wings,” an organiza-tion of former TWA flight attendants,who presented a fashion show of vintageTWA uniforms. The celebration alsoincluded an appearance by the worldfamous Radio City Rockettes.

Despite the successful dedication,JetBlue announced a few days later thatthe actual opening date had been pushedback from October 1, 2008, to October 22, 2008. Bryan Baldwin toldAirliners that moving the opening dateallowed additional time to ensure that the carrier’s retail, food and beveragepartners completed the work necessary toopen the terminal with all customer service elements in place. “All opera-tional systems were tested and ready for customers on October 1, but the retailand dining elements needed a little more

time to complete construction andinspections,” Mr. Baldwin said. “Wedecided not to open our new home terminal at JFK without these important elements complete as inviting our customers to experience less than 100%of the beauty and convenience of the building would have been counter to ourbrand.” However, “T5 was still openedsix months ahead of schedule. The original construction plan targetedFebruary 2009 as the open date,” he added.

Finally, on October 22, 2008, the terminal opened with the arrival ofJetBlue Flight 358 from Burbank at 5:05a.m. The first departure took place shortly thereafter, with flight 709 to SanJuan, leaving at 6:00 a.m. All JetBluedepartures from JFK now operate fromTerminal 5, as do all domestic arrivalsexcept for those from Cancún, PuertoPlata, St. Maarten, Santiago and SantoDomingo, which continue to arrive atTerminal 4 to clear U.S. Customs and

Immigration. Soon after the terminalopened, JetBlue began dismantling atemporary seven gate building that hadbeen located adjacent to Terminal 5’sgates 22-27, which were blocked by thetemporary facility.

JetBlue is pleased with its new homeat JFK. "Our award-winning in-flightexperience is finally matched on theground at T5. The terminal offers operational efficiencies that combinewith unique design touches to create apositive travel experience. We can’t waitfor all our customers to visit," said Mr. Baldwin. With the successful intro-duction of its new terminal, JetBlue hasensured that it will continue to be a leading carrier at JFK InternationalAirport for years to come.

Airliners wishes to thank BryanBaldwin, JetBlue's Manager of CorporateCommunications, for assistance inpreparing this article.

The new terminal has 22 food and beverage and 25 retail outlets with a central 55,000 square foot dining and shopping marketplace. This includesnine full serve restaurants, bars and cafes, including the Deep Blue bar and restaurant, which offers the highest quality sushi and Asian specialtiesfrom Chef Michael Schulson. This dramatic restaurant, designed by ICRAVE, has an ethereal feel of being in a water environment, complemented bya modern, clean aesthetic. (JetBlue Airways)

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When JetBlue organized the dedica-tion ceremony at its new Terminal 5 atJFK, it was aware that the adjacent landmark terminal was a reminder ofanother famous airline that had calledthat corner of the airport home for almosthalf a century. TWA started serving Idlewild in the 1950s. As the air-port’s Jet Age “Terminal City” wasdeveloped in the early 1960s, the airlinehired architect Eero Saarinen to designits trademark Flight Center, whichopened in 1962. TWA and New Yorkwere closely linked for decades with theairline’s headquarters being located inManhattan until 1989. Idlewild/JFK hada major TWA presence up until the endof operations in 2001.

The Saarinen terminal was declared aNew York City landmark in July of 1994.After American Airlines acquired TWAin 2001, the terminal was closed whilethe various parties discussed plans for thesite. A bit of a controversy eruptedbetween preservationists who wanted theentire structure to remain as an airline terminal and those who rec-ognized that Saarinen’s 40 year olddesign had become impractical for airline terminal use. Out of these discussions came the current design,where the TWA Flight Center’s tubularwalkways connect the old terminal withits modern successor; thus providing asymbolic link between the TWA past andthe JetBlue present. “Eero Saarinen'sTerminal 5 is recognized as an icon ofaviation history in New York andbeyond," said Dave Barger, CEO ofJetBlue Airways. "As New York's home-town airline, we are proud to literallyconnect the new Terminal 5 to our sharedaviation architectural history inSaarinen's TWA Flight Center.”

Given this rich history, JetBlue feltthat a tribute to TWA was in order andarranged for Ruth Richter-Holden,the daughter of TWA co-founder Paul E. Richter, Jr., to fly NC18137, aLockheed 12A Electra Junior, fromCalifornia to New York to participate inthe Terminal 5 opening ceremony. The

L12 is a smaller version of the famousL10 Electra, the type of aircraft thatAmelia Earhart was flying when she disappeared in the South Pacific in 1937.NC18137 was owned by TWA in the1940s when Paul E. Richter, Jr., wasTWA’s Executive Vice- President. The aircraft was the airline’s “flying laboratory” and was used for high altitude research and executive transport.In 2005, Ruth Richter-Holden was introduced to the plane when the ownercontacted her looking for historic details in order to sell it. Driven by a“faint memory and gut feeling,”Richter-Holden purchased the 12A sightunseen and as she explains, “brought herback to TWA.”

For the transcontinental flight, veter-an commercial pilot and “co-guardian”of NC18137, Captain Curt Walters waspilot in command, with Richter-Holdenas co-pilot. The eastbound itinerary fromSanta Maria, California, included stopsat Winslow, Arizona; Hays, Kansas;Topeka, Kansas; Kansas City, Missouri;Taylorville, Illinois; Columbus, Ohio;and Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The west-

bound flight’s route was a slightly modi-fied version of TWA’s “Sun Racer” Flight1 from New York to Burbank, California,with stops in Wheeling, West Virginia;Columbus, Ohio; St. Louis, Missouri;Kansas City, Missouri; Hutchinson,Kansas; Albuquerque, New Mexico;Winslow, Arizona; Bullhead City,Arizona; Burbank, California; and LosAngeles, California.

During NC18137’s visit to JFK,JetBlue CEO David Barger acknowl-edged TWA’s impact on commercial avi-ation while speaking with Ruth Richter-Holden. A number of former TWAemployees have gone to work forJetBlue, and the consensus among theTWA alumni at the September 22 eventwas that a symbolic torch was officiallypassed from TWA to JetBlue. As KayeChandler, in-flight documentary producer and former TWA flight atten-dant wrote on her web site, “JetBluecredits the expertise TWA employeesbrought with [them] to the JetBlue suc-cess. We are the foundation whichJetBlue has built its future. And JetBlueis doing everything right.”

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On September 22, 2008, JetBlue introduced its new terminal while paying tribute to the pioneering airline that built the nearby Saarinen terminal. Jetblue arranged for Ruth Richter-Holden, the daughter of TWA co-founder Paul E. Richter, Jr., to fly NC18137, a Lockheed 12AElectra Junior, from California to New York to participate in the Terminal 5 opening ceremony. The aircraft attracted a crowd on the T5 ramp while in the distance a pair of JetBlue A320s taxi out for departure past an Emirates 777-300 on the Terminal 4 ramp. (JetBlue Airways)

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JetBlue celebrates TWAby Bill Hough