JetBlue Welcomes First International Arrivals to Gensler-designed JFK T5
Gensler’s design for new international concourse builds on T5’s legacy of unprecedented efficiency and customer ease while fostering health and well-being
NEW YORK, NOVEMBER 12, 2014— Today, JetBlue welcomes the first international arrivals at its new, Gensler-designed International Concourse extension to Terminal 5 (T5) at John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport. The International Concourse will offer customers a modern environment with an emphasis on well-being that simplifies the travel experience. The addition is a seamless extension of Gensler’s award-winning design for T5 (which opened in 2008), and was built in collaboration with Arup, Turner Construction, and The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
The 175,000-square-foot extension includes the conversion of three existing gates to international swing gates, and the addition of three new international swing gates. Further, the International Concourse will include a new security re-check; an immigration hall designed to process 1,400 passengers per hour with the addition of 40 automated passport control kiosks; and two new baggage claims.
“Our new International Arrivals Concourse perfectly mirrors T5’s bright and friendly look and feel,” said JetBlue CEO Dave Barger. “Our home terminal – T5 – is JetBlue’s unique way to properly welcome people to New York. Thanks to our partners at Gensler, T5i is designed with sustainable considerations, including technologies that will help reduce the building’s environmental impact.”
Gensler designed the terminal with a particular focus on passenger well-being. Passengers will have access to views of the city and natural light in unexpected places, including the Primary Hall and corridor through which they must pass upon arriving in the United States. Alighting from this corridor into the Immigration Hall for customs processing, customers will be surprised by abundant views to the outside. A forthcoming outdoor rooftop park, slated to open in spring 2015, will offer all passengers at T5 the ability to stroll outside while enjoying spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline as well as the historic adjacent TWA Terminal.
“We designed the international concourse to welcome people to the U.S. and specifically to New York, greeting them with natural daylight and a view outside,” said Gensler Architect and Senior Associate Ty Osbaugh. “We think travelers awaiting their departing flights will particularly enjoy the ability to take a walk through a rooftop park with great views of the city.”
Guided by JetBlue’s mission to bring humanity back to air travel, Gensler’s design includes many customer-friendly design elements for which T5 is known:
- Sustainable design focused on well-being and improved indoor air quality, featuring water bottle refilling stations throughout the terminal, low-VOC materials and abundant natural daylight;
- Modern, clean and timeless design features splashes of bold color in keeping with the JetBlue brand;
- Lounge and traditional seating at gates, with access to ample electrical outlets;
- Features that travelers love in T5 will continue in the new addition: there is free Wi-Fi throughout; customer service zones are located in every concourse; and there will be food ordering capability at the gates.
About JetBlue Airways
JetBlue is New York’s Hometown Airline, and a leading carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale/ Hollywood, Los Angeles (Long Beach), Orlando and San Juan. JetBlue carries more than 30 million customers a year to 86 cities in the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America with an average of 800 daily flights. New service to Curacao begins in December. With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all fares are one-way, an overnight stay is never required and the first bag is included with your standard fare (subject to weight and size limits and exceptions for itineraries including flights marketed or operated by other airlines). For more information please visit JetBlue.com.
About Gensler
Gensler is a global design firm grounded in the belief that great design optimizes business performance and human potential. Our 4,700 practitioners networked across 46 offices use global perspective and local presence to innovate at every scale. Whether we are refreshing a retailer’s brand, planning a new urban district or designing a super tall building, we strive to make the everyday places people occupy more inspiring, more resilient and more impactful.
Coming soon: Shanghai Tower, China’s tallest building and a vertical city unto itself, opening in 2015. Gensler is one of three design firms competing to redesign LaGuardia Airport’s Central Terminal building.
Recent accolades: #1 Most Admired Firm in 2014 by World Architecture and one of the Top 5 Most Admired “Global Firms” by Interior Design in 2014; “World’s Biggest Architect” on Building Design’s World Architecture 100 in 2014 and 2013; AIA Institute Honor Awards for Architecture in 2014 and 2012; and for the 33rd consecutive year, Gensler tops Interior Design’s Top 100 Giants list.