JetBlue Poised to Break Into Hotel Game, Sets Sights on JFK’s Iconic TWA Terminal
Jennifer Billock April 15, 2015
An iconic terminal at JFK may soon be transformed into a hotel if jetBlue gets its way.
Budget airline jetBlue Airways, in a partnership with MCR Development LLC, is looking to get into the airport hotel business by transforming the iconic Trans World Airlines terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) into a unique new lodging opportunity. Although the proposal may still fall through, the companies are in advanced discussions with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, reports the Wall Street Journal.
Competition has been fierce and complicated for those looking to take control of the TWA building, which has remained empty since a 2008 renovation. Rights for the building’s transformation were initially awarded to hotelier André Balazs in 2013, but he later backed out of the deal. Since then, jetBlue has prevailed against a number of fierce competitors, including Donald Trump, Yotel and Ian Schrager.
The race to own this property is indicative of a larger trend toward establishing modern, appealing hotels at airports. Flight crews have always been a large customer base for airport hotels, but now, an increasing number of business travelers are looking to easily fly in and out for meetings, without having to deal with the hassle of going into a city.
If realized, the future TWA terminal hotel is expected to have about 500 rooms, and will be jetBlue’s first foray into the lodging business. It is expected to open directly across from the airline’s main terminal at JFK.
[Photo: Wall Street Journal]
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Agree on the need for 'gentle integration', but it would be great to see this iconic building filling a valid economic function. Landmark buildings are easier to protect if they can make money at the same time, not to mention the benefit of having a hotel onsite at the airport.
I'd love to see this work out -- it's been talked about for YEARS -- but nervous about what adding a big block of hotel rooms might do to the iconic Saarinen terminal's profile. If they tack it on directly overhead it will be aesthetically disastrous. It has to be gently integrated.