JetBlue opens Gensler-designed International Concourse at JFK

This morning, JetBlue welcomed 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-sf 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. 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,” said Dave Barger, CEO, JetBlue.

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 360-degree 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 US and specifically to New York, greeting them with natural daylight and a view outside. 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,” said Gensler Architect and Senior Associate Ty Osbaugh.

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 features water bottle refilling stations throughout the terminal, low-VOC materials, and abundant natural daylight;

• The modern, timeless, and clean design features splashes of bold color in keeping with the JetBlue brand;

• Both lounge-like 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.