This detail shot shows the Saarinen building as it appears today, with the new terminal visible behind it. Gensler’s architects designed a low profile and angular shape to complement rather than 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) JetBlue Takes 5 at JFK On October 22, 2008, JetBlue opened its new Terminal 5 at JFK International Airport. This building sits directly behind the landmark TWA Flight Center, the architecturally acclaimed landmark designed by noted architect , and opened on May 28, 1962. This new 635,000 square foot, 26 gate Terminal 5 was designed by the Gensler architectural firm and built in collaboration with Turner Construction Company, Arup, DMJM Harris/AECOM and Rockwell Group. Because it sits directly behind the Saarinen building, JetBlue says the new terminal “interprets the iconic TWA Flight Center for today’s jet set” adding that the “low profile and angular shape complement rather than compete with Saarinen’s curvilinear design.”

TWA Flight Center look like a giant concrete bird, won JFK flights and retreated to the Saarinen The TWA Flight Center opened when several awards and is now a registered building, which by then had been International Airport at landmark. For almost re-named Terminal 5. By the late 1990s, Idlewild was a symbol of the Jet Age, and four decades, this terminal served as the the former National terminal, now called each major U.S. airline serving the air- New York base for TWA’s famous fleet of Terminal 6, was only used by a few port built and operated its own individual red and white airliners. flights each day. terminal. Although each airline attempt- TWA outgrew the Flight Center and ed to surpass the others in building expanded into the vacated National ter- Enter JetBlue design, the most acclaimed of these ter- minal in the early 1980s. But by 1996, Enter David Neelman, who minals was TWA’s Flight Center. This after several years of financial losses, a announced a proposed new airline in innovative structure, which was styled to downsizing TWA reduced its number of February of 1999. Neelman realized that

22 • AIRLINERS • JANUARY/FEBUARY 2009 Above: Terminal 5 construction began on December 7, 2005, and the building’s structure was taking shape by October 14, 2006, when this photograph was taken. To the left is a small remnant of TWA’s “Flight Wing Two,” one of that carrier’s gate areas that was demolished to make room for the new terminal. To the right is A320 N526JB, its JetBlue paint having been stripped. This aircraft would go on to fly for Air Berlin and Blue Wings as D-ANND. (Bill Hough)

Left: Terminal 5 features excel- lent views of JFK’s taxiways and runways. Here, A320 N746JB, one of several with special “Jetting to T5” titles, passes the end of the concourse on Taxiway Alpha. (JetBlue Airways)

JFK International Airport had a lot of months, the charge was dropped. Thrifty Rent-A-Car owned the name. excess capacity during much of the day, Naming the airline took a few more Shortly thereafter, True Blue morphed as well as an under-utilized terminal. The months and involved much deliberation. into JetBlue. carrier, using the working name “New Rebecca Johnson, writing in Travel On September 16, 2000, the newly Air,” placed an order with Airbus & Leisure, reported that Neelman’s named airline was awarded an exemption Industrie for a fleet of A320s. The con- staff was opposed to “geographic for 75 slots at New York City’s JFK tract included 25 firm orders, 25 options descriptions such as Southwest or International Airport after it promised to and purchase rights for 25 additional Northwest or made-up words like Acela offer low fare service to underserved aircraft. Furthermore, JetBlue arranged or Acura.” Some of the names upstate communities. JetBlue’s first to lease seven more A320s. The aircraft considered and rejected included A320, N503JB, was unveiled to the are configured with 162 coach seats fea- “Zoom,” “Civilization,” “Yes!,” “Home” media and employees at JFK turing DirecTV satellite televisions in and “It” (for “Idlewild Transportation”). International Airport on Saturday, each seatback. Originally, the airline Other name candidates included “Taxi,” December 4, 1999. JetBlue’s fleet was planned to charge passengers $5 to view “Egg” and “True Blue.” Johnson reports the first to be equipped with satellite the television; however, after a couple of that the latter name was selected but that televisions at each passenger seat.

23 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 kiosks to check-in for flights. (JetBlue Airways)

24 • AIRLINERS • JANUARY/FEBUARY 2009 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 north cargo area and Hangars 3/4/5, the famous “triple hangars” built in 1950. (JetBlue Airways)

JetBlue obtained its Certificate of outgrowing Terminal 6. Accordingly, on of the entire airport community.” Public Convenience and Necessity on August 4, 2004, the Port Authority of February 3, 2000, and the first flight took New York and New Jersey (the airport A New Terminal 5 place on February 11, with the carrier’s operator and manager) announced that it Construction on the new Terminal 5 second A320, N504JB, operating from and JetBlue would build a 640,000 began on December 7, 2005, when New JFK’s Terminal 6 to Buffalo. After square foot, 26 gate passenger terminal York Governor George E. Pataki and speeches by New York City Mayor directly behind the TWA building, which New York City Mayor Michael R. Rudolph Giuliani and New York Senator had been vacated and closed in late 2001 Bloomberg presided at a groundbreaking Charles Schumer in BUF, the aircraft after acquired TWA. ceremony with Port Authority and returned to JFK and then operated a (See May/June 2002 issue of Airliners.) JetBlue officials. Over the next two and a round trip to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. At the same time, the Port Authority half years, the 635,000 square foot termi- JetBlue’s mix of friendly employees, also announced that it would work with nal rose on a 72 acre site on the eastern reasonable fares and excellent service the Federal Aviation Administration, the corner of what used to be called Terminal proved to be a hit with New York New York State Historic Preservation City. The new terminal is located travelers, and the airline aggressively Office and the Advisory Council on directly behind the Saarinen terminal and expanded during the early 2000s. As the Historic Preservation for the rehabilita- connected to it via the two renovated airline expanded, Terminal 6 was partly tion, restoration and adaptive reuse of “flight tubes” that once led to the now renovated, including $7.5 million of Terminal 5. Port Authority Executive demolished TWA “Flight Wing” gate capital investment for improvements Director Joseph J. Seymour said, “We’re areas. A new roadway serving the new which included wider roads, new ticket excited to usher in a new era at JFK with building curves behind the old terminal, counters, refurbished restrooms, new this project, which will preserve and allowing for direct curbside access. baggage systems and enhanced shops protect the stunning TWA Flight A pedestrian “Sky Walk” connects the and restaurants. Despite a temporary Center that is such a fundamental part of terminal with JFK’s “AirTrain” system drop in demand that followed the the airport’s past, while we also and a recently constructed 1,500 space terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, employ good business sense to meet our parking garage. JetBlue rapidly expanded its New York future needs. And we’re pleased to be Gensler designed Terminal 5 from operation and announced that it joined in our endeavor by JetBlue the ground up for the post September was the largest airline at JFK in Airways, whose tremendous growth 11th travel environment. The main lobby September of 2004, by which time it was has helped support the overall success has 65 e-ticket kiosks in addition to 40

25 traditional ticket counters. Passengers containing 22 restaurants and 25 retail Corporate Communications. “They being dropped off may also use one of stores. There is one 4 foot grandstand coordinated our drills and tests. As a the two skycap areas each containing and one 2 foot platform for passengers to customer service company that happens six curbside check-in counters. When sit, eat, work, relax and watch people. to be an airline, we hold ourselves to a renovations are complete, passengers The gate areas feature touch screen high standard when it comes to the will also be able to enter via the Saarinen monitors with a 60 item food and customer experience. No matter what terminal, which will be equipped with beverage menu. Meals can be delivered happened around the world with new check-in kiosks. The new terminal directly to customers – an airline terminal openings, we did everything in features dramatic views of the Saarinen industry first, designed and operated our power to plan, prepare and train so terminal from the “Sky Walk” and exclusively by OTG Management. The that our transition from T6 to T5 would check-in hall. The terminal was also built large gate areas feature ample seating, a be a success.” The invited “passengers” with current security procedures in mind. free Wi-Fi network and excellent airside checked bags, passed through security According to JetBlue, the 340 foot wide views. Arriving passengers will claim and pretended to board flights. “We are security checkpoint area is designed to their baggage in a lively, open and pressure testing this new facility to make accommodate up to 20 lanes. Currently, comfortable space with Panelite along sure there is a much improved ground the airline indicates that the 15 lanes the length of the back wall, bright orange experience once we open,” said JetBlue’s currently in use adequately support the tops to the baggage carrousels, a light CEO Dave Barger. present operation and that additional well and floating ceiling panels. JetBlue introduced Terminal 5 to the lanes can be added if capacity increases. On August 23, 2008, JetBlue con- media on September 22, 2008, when the The checkpoint features soft rubber ducted a full scale test of the new airline hosted a celebration that featured flooring for passenger comfort and has a terminal when it invited 1,000 frequent an appearance by JetBlue founder David 225 foot long “revesting” bench where flyers to test the terminal’s check-in, Neelman. Elected officials, representa- passengers can organize their personal baggage and security procedures. “We tives from the Port Authority, business belongings after security. partnered with the Greater Toronto partners and invited guests were also on After clearing security, passengers Airports Authority on this,” explained hand to dedicate the new terminal. enter the 55,000 square foot marketplace Bryan Baldwin, JetBlue's Manager of JetBlue had an A320 and an Embraer 190

26 • AIRLINERS • JANUARY/FEBUARY 2009 on display, but the real star of the show time to complete construction and Immigration. Soon after the terminal was NC18137, an old Lockheed 12 inspections,” Mr. Baldwin said. “We opened, JetBlue began dismantling a painted in TWA colors and flown in from decided not to open our new home temporary seven gate building that had California for the occasion. Also present terminal at JFK without these important been located adjacent to Terminal 5’s were the “Clipped Wings,” an organiza- elements complete as inviting our gates 22-27, which were blocked by the tion of former TWA flight attendants, customers to experience less than 100% temporary facility. who presented a fashion show of vintage of the beauty and convenience of the JetBlue is pleased with its new home TWA uniforms. The celebration also building would have been counter to our at JFK. "Our award-winning in-flight included an appearance by the world brand.” However, “T5 was still opened experience is finally matched on the famous Radio City Rockettes. six months ahead of schedule. The ground at T5. The terminal offers Despite the successful dedication, original construction plan targeted operational efficiencies that combine JetBlue announced a few days later that February 2009 as the open date,” he added. with unique design touches to create a the actual opening date had been pushed Finally, on October 22, 2008, the positive travel experience. We can’t wait back from October 1, 2008, to terminal opened with the arrival of for all our customers to visit," said October 22, 2008. Bryan Baldwin told JetBlue Flight 358 from Burbank at 5:05 Mr. Baldwin. With the successful intro- Airliners that moving the opening date a.m. The first departure took place duction of its new terminal, JetBlue has allowed additional time to ensure that shortly thereafter, with flight 709 to San ensured that it will continue to be a the carrier’s retail, food and beverage Juan, leaving at 6:00 a.m. All JetBlue leading carrier at JFK International partners completed the work necessary to departures from JFK now operate from Airport for years to come. v open the terminal with all customer Terminal 5, as do all domestic arrivals service elements in place. “All opera- except for those from Cancún, Puerto Airliners wishes to thank Bryan tional systems were tested and ready for Plata, St. Maarten, Santiago and Santo Baldwin, JetBlue's Manager of Corporate customers on October 1, but the retail Domingo, which continue to arrive at Communications, for assistance in and dining elements needed a little more Terminal 4 to clear U.S. Customs and preparing 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 includes nine full serve restaurants, bars and cafes, including the Deep Blue bar and restaurant, which offers the highest quality sushi and Asian specialties from Chef Michael Schulson. This dramatic restaurant, designed by ICRAVE, has an ethereal feel of being in a water environment, complemented by a modern, clean aesthetic. (JetBlue Airways)

27 JetBlue celebrates TWA by Bill Hough

When JetBlue organized the dedica- L12 is a smaller version of the famous bound flight’s route was a slightly modi- tion ceremony at its new Terminal 5 at L10 Electra, the type of aircraft that fied version of TWA’s “Sun Racer” Flight JFK, it was aware that the adjacent Amelia Earhart was flying when she 1 from New York to Burbank, California, landmark terminal was a reminder of disappeared in the South Pacific in 1937. with stops in Wheeling, West Virginia; another famous airline that had called NC18137 was owned by TWA in the Columbus, Ohio; St. Louis, Missouri; that corner of the airport home for almost 1940s when Paul E. Richter, Jr., was Kansas City, Missouri; Hutchinson, half a century. TWA started TWA’s Executive Vice- President. Kansas; Albuquerque, New Mexico; serving Idlewild in the 1950s. As the air- The aircraft was the airline’s “flying Winslow, Arizona; Bullhead City, port’s Jet Age “Terminal City” was laboratory” and was used for high Arizona; Burbank, California; and Los developed in the early 1960s, the airline altitude research and executive transport. Angeles, California. hired architect Eero Saarinen to design In 2005, Ruth Richter-Holden was During NC18137’s visit to JFK, its trademark Flight Center, which introduced to the plane when the owner JetBlue CEO acknowl- opened in 1962. TWA and New York contacted her looking for historic edged TWA’s impact on commercial avi- were closely linked for decades with the details in order to sell it. Driven by a ation while speaking with Ruth Richter- airline’s headquarters being located in “faint memory and gut feeling,” Holden. A number of former TWA Manhattan until 1989. Idlewild/JFK had Richter-Holden purchased the 12A sight employees have gone to work for a major TWA presence up until the end unseen and as she explains, “brought her JetBlue, and the consensus among the of operations in 2001. back to TWA.” TWA alumni at the September 22 event The Saarinen terminal was declared a For the transcontinental flight, veter- was that a symbolic torch was officially New York City landmark in July of 1994. an commercial pilot and “co-guardian” passed from TWA to JetBlue. As Kaye After American Airlines acquired TWA of NC18137, Captain Curt Walters was Chandler, in-flight documentary in 2001, the terminal was closed while pilot in command, with Richter-Holden producer and former TWA flight atten- the various parties discussed plans for the as co-pilot. The eastbound itinerary from dant wrote on her web site, “JetBlue site. A bit of a controversy erupted Santa Maria, California, included stops credits the expertise TWA employees between preservationists who wanted the at Winslow, Arizona; Hays, Kansas; brought with [them] to the JetBlue suc- entire structure to remain Topeka, Kansas; Kansas City, Missouri; cess. We are the foundation which as an airline terminal and those who rec- Taylorville, Illinois; Columbus, Ohio; JetBlue has built its future. And JetBlue ognized that Saarinen’s 40 year old and Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The west- is doing everything right.” v design had become impractical for airline terminal use. Out of these discussions came the current design, where the TWA Flight Center’s tubular walkways connect the old terminal with its modern successor; thus providing a symbolic link between the TWA past and the JetBlue present. “Eero Saarinen's Terminal 5 is recognized as an icon of aviation history in New York and beyond," said Dave Barger, CEO of JetBlue Airways. "As New York's home- town airline, we are proud to literally connect the new Terminal 5 to our shared aviation architectural history in Saarinen's TWA Flight Center.” Given this rich history, JetBlue felt that a tribute to TWA was in order and arranged for Ruth Richter-Holden, the daughter of TWA co-founder On September 22, 2008, JetBlue introduced its new terminal while paying tribute to the Paul E. Richter, Jr., to fly NC18137, a pioneering airline that built the nearby Saarinen terminal. Jetblue arranged for Ruth Richter- Lockheed 12A Electra Junior, from Holden, the daughter of TWA co-founder Paul E. Richter, Jr., to fly NC18137, a Lockheed 12A Electra Junior, from California to New York to participate in the Terminal 5 opening ceremony. California to New York to participate in The aircraft attracted a crowd on the T5 ramp while in the distance a pair of JetBlue A320s the Terminal 5 opening ceremony. The taxi out for departure past an Emirates 777-300 on the Terminal 4 ramp. (JetBlue Airways)

28 • AIRLINERS • JANUARY/FEBUARY 2009