UA vacating JFK - potential for a new lounge?
#16
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: USA and UK
Programs: British Airways Executive Club Silver, Alitalia Freccia Alata
Posts: 1,351
Fun little fact! JFK T7 is the only USA terminal operated by a single foreign airline! BA is also the 4th largest airline at JFK.
In theory the lease to BA for T7 runs out this year. This could be an opportune moment for some construction to the terminal to occur. As much as it is touted, I personally don't think BA will move to T8. They need their CCR, GF and GC which are to a much higher standard than AA's lounges. The kicker is that there is not enough room in T8 during the peak times. Therefore, I think BA will renew its lease at T7 for the foreseeable future and we will start to see renovation, not new carriers.
In theory the lease to BA for T7 runs out this year. This could be an opportune moment for some construction to the terminal to occur. As much as it is touted, I personally don't think BA will move to T8. They need their CCR, GF and GC which are to a much higher standard than AA's lounges. The kicker is that there is not enough room in T8 during the peak times. Therefore, I think BA will renew its lease at T7 for the foreseeable future and we will start to see renovation, not new carriers.
#17
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: BA GGL, A3*G, Mucci de l'expertise des Apps
Posts: 3,365
Everyone is talking about development of the inside of the terminal and moving other carriers over etc, but forgetting that one of T7s biggest issues is actually aircraft stands, it is VERY tight on space outside.
United operates 4 or 5 gates/stands at T7 I believe, 3 of which I think can take a 757 maximum and the other 2 a 767 maximum.
UA moving out might allow a bit more space to put the Argentina and Iberia A330s and the Icelandair B757s, but as far as I can tell it doesn't make much difference in the short term.
United operates 4 or 5 gates/stands at T7 I believe, 3 of which I think can take a 757 maximum and the other 2 a 767 maximum.
UA moving out might allow a bit more space to put the Argentina and Iberia A330s and the Icelandair B757s, but as far as I can tell it doesn't make much difference in the short term.
#19
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: USA and UK
Programs: British Airways Executive Club Silver, Alitalia Freccia Alata
Posts: 1,351
This would make a lot of sense. Guess we should start to see some building going on at T8 to accom BA and their lounges (I hope to heavens BA is not considering using the AA Clubs).
#20
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Sitting down
Posts: 557
"New York. It's been like trying to squeeze an elephant through an eye of a needle."
"Last year we were sharing a terminal with 46 other airlines, it was like the Eton Wall game."
"Pavement to plane in about 50 strides"
1971 BOAC ad for new JFK terminal.
"Last year we were sharing a terminal with 46 other airlines, it was like the Eton Wall game."
"Pavement to plane in about 50 strides"
1971 BOAC ad for new JFK terminal.
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Programs: Mucci des Hommes Magiques et Magnifiques
Posts: 19,092
#22
Join Date: May 2013
Location: YYZ/YTZ/YUL
Programs: BA Gold, TK Elite
Posts: 1,558
#24
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: British Airways Silver Card
Posts: 337
Maybe I'm missing the point but moving to T8 may sound good but I think BA F/J pax will get the short end of the stick... Under OW rules, if BA opened a GC & GF in T8, wouldn't everyone with F/J/OWS/OWE going in to T8 be able to use them? Given how bad the AA AC lounges are this just looks like mega overcrowding all-day everyday.
#25
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC, BOS, ORD
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM
Posts: 843
Maybe I'm missing the point but moving to T8 may sound good but I think BA F/J pax will get the short end of the stick... Under OW rules, if BA opened a GC & GF in T8, wouldn't everyone with F/J/OWS/OWE going in to T8 be able to use them? Given how bad the AA AC lounges are this just looks like mega overcrowding all-day everyday.
#26
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC, BOS, ORD
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM
Posts: 843
T8 is currently very full in the evenings, however it was only half-built. There is room to extend the main concourse by another ~6 widebody gates, and to expand the check-in/passport control/customs/baggage reclaim area as well.
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
Posts: 30,516
In what sense? CCR in T7 beats flagship in T8 any day, but conversely, for a OW Emerald flying Y or J, Flagship beats T7 GF any day too! Even catering is arguably of nicer quality (if less choice) than the GC buffet we have to use when flying J and the room is definitely much less gloomy.
#28
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Duchy of Milan
Programs: BA Gold, TK Elite, AZ CFP
Posts: 1,857
They might build a OW international F only lounge, similar to the one in DOH, as well as a GF and GC for status passengers. I hope they won't opt for the new shared lounge concept.
#29
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: TLV/ATH/LON/EZE/NYC/UIP
Programs: BA*GGL, A3*G, AF*P, VS*S
Posts: 1,011
#30
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 278
Yikes! If they move to T8, I hope they keep a CCR proper (not just some lounge-within-a-lounge / pre-flight dining for F pax) and also retain a priority security lane which spits you out beside said lounge.
Granted I've never experienced it at a particularly busy time or during IRROPs, but I love the premium BA setup at T7, even when in CW..
Granted I've never experienced it at a particularly busy time or during IRROPs, but I love the premium BA setup at T7, even when in CW..