JetBlue TrueBlue - Updated ETA: JFK T5?

Just wondering if anyone knew the latest on when the new T5@JFK will debut. I have a flight on September 4th returning the 8th and I'm wondering if maybe just maybe, I might be one of the first to fly out of this brand new terminal.

I understood them to say September at the DO, but I don't remember that they offered an exact date.

No exact date yet, but it looks like mid-September. I've heard in the 9/15-9/25 timeframe. However, it is not guaranteed that all flights will depart/arrive from T5 immediately following the grand opening. Expect a transition period. IIRC, by Thanksgiving it will be in full swing.

No exact date yet, but it looks like mid-September. I've heard in the 9/15-9/25 timeframe. However, it is not guaranteed that all flights will depart/arrive from T5 immediately following the grand opening. Expect a transition period. IIRC, by Thanksgiving it will be in full swing.

At the DO it was suggested that the cutover will be a hard switch; one day flights will be in T6 and the next in T5, though that is dependant on the gates being available. But I would think that trying to operate some flights from each terminal will be a major PITA.

But I would think that trying to operate some flights from each terminal will be a major PITA.

If the do stagger it ... I hope there is a good system for transiting between terminals. With some of the relatively short connection times to/from Upstate NY I could see that being a problem.

As it is ... I've had several morning flights that were late leaving BUF/ROC in the morning and went to the temp terminal in JFK with my connection in the main terminal ... the 45-60 minute connection time wouldnt have been enough without some help from the crew to exit the plane first (and im usually in row 13+).

On a different note, isnt the temp terminal blocking several of the gates on T5? Would there be enough gates open to have time to breakdown the temp terminal after a hard cutover?

On a different note, isnt the temp terminal blocking several of the gates on T5? Would there be enough gates open to have time to breakdown the temp terminal after a hard cutover?

The temp terminal is, in fact, blocking some of the new gates. Plus the jetways in use are actually going to be detatched and moved around to become active on the new terminal.

What I remember from the DO is that B6 is planning on getting down to where they can operate from ~18 gates right after Labor Day. Then they can start disassembling the temp terminal and move the jetways into place and have a comparable 18 gates ready to go when the hard cut happens, with the additional gates becoming available shortly thereafter as they demolish the old terminal.

If they do have to operate both I would expect that the same buses would continue to be used.

What I remember from the DO is that B6 is planning on getting down to where they can operate from ~18 gates right after Labor Day. Then they can start disassembling the temp terminal and move the jetways into place and have a comparable 18 gates ready to go when the hard cut happens, with the additional gates becoming available shortly thereafter as they demolish the old terminal.

To look at the new T5 map and the current location of the T6 temp. extension as well as the info you got from the DO it would appear if they are going to switch it over overnight that they will be operating out of both the south concourse(7 gates) and the east concourse(12 gates) equaling 19 gates. North concourse would then come on-line after the removal of the temp. extension.

The current ops at T6 all combined equal 23? gates. I guess it may be "tight" but they would be able to pull it off given the reduction in flying just after Labor Day.

Still hard to see them being able to use all(or all -1 gate) of the East Concourse on day one as I remember the temp. extension really encroaching on T5's E concourse. I'll defer to the experts, though.

Good luck with the transition. Excited to use it!

IIRC, all T5 gates won't be ready to go until Presidents' Weekend of next year due to demolition issues. I thought I heard that when we were in Ramp Control.

I take back what I said about the extension gates encroaching on T5's East Concourse. Just flew in to the T6 extension and took another look. Gate 19's jetbridge already appears serviceable and there seems to be plenty of clearance to allow ops once the jetbridge is removed from Gate 24 at T6 extension.

They thought of everything! (I hope). :)

They thought of everything! (I hope). :)

I was disappointed that they didn't have a mini bar at each gate. :p