Originally Posted by
Duke787
I actually disagree. I find that JFK is probably my favorite airport to transit if you strip away the JFK-related issues (weather, ATC delays). I appreciate having one long walkway -- makes it really easy to find your gate and not worry about what terminal or terminal wing you are in. The SkyClub does need work but when you add in the reported new SkyClub and the AMEX Centurion Lounge opening this year in T4, that should ease the SkyClub crowding (plus of course the VS Clubhouse for the JFK-LHR market).
Then again I'm someone who hates people movers in general (even if empty and working, I prefer walking to the side) and appreciate getting in steps before I get on a long flight.
6.7.0
I rarely use JFK as a connecting airport, but I imagine it's fine for that purpose with the caveat of the long walks. For O/D (especially on RJs), it's atrocious, though. Delta could have done a much better job with a main club at or near the base of the concourse, and a smaller satellite club about 2/3 of the way up, maybe around B39/41. I find myself skipping the club entirely to go to the inferior Wingtips lounge and shuttle to the gates when flying on an RJ. Don't get me started on how domestic baggage claim is located all the way by the international-only A gates.
The original phase II expansion called for the regional concourse to essentially form a walkway between T2 and T4 through the removed T3 space. It was scrapped early on to (I've been told) simplify taxi movements by having higher-movement/quicker-turn gates closer to the Alpha and Bravo taxiways rather than clogging ramp movement by being further in. While I wish this had come to fruition for paxex sake, I understand while it didn't.
Connecting, by the way, is going to be become a heroic act for some itineraries with the A expansion. The expansion will only have domestic gates, so will only serve DL (and possibly pre-cleared WS). Domestic mainline-regional connections at JFK may become the worst transfer experience in the DL system. Even with a bus from A to B54, the dumb SC placement is going to make it very inconvenient.
Yes, that 1.11 miles!
