JFK flight - terminal query
 

Hi! Forgive me for asking what are probably dumb questions, but I'm due to take my first JetBlue flight next month (JFK-SEA, 12pm, Sept 20th, looking forward to the leather seats and IFE) and have a few queries!

1. I can't seem to see, either from my confirmation email, or on the JetBlue website, which terminal I'm due to fly from. I've read on FT about a new revamped Terminal 5 opening in September (probably the day after I fly) and that in the meantime, all JetBlue flights are leaving from Terminal 6. Can anyone confirm where I should arrive?!

2. I understand that JetBlue don't have a lounge. Depending on which terminal I'm going to be leaving from, does anyone know what other airline lounges are accessible? I can use OneWorld airline lounges if there are any close by.

3. And one final query ... why do people often refer to JetBlue as B6 in their postings? I don't understand!?

Any advice gratefully received!

Thanks.

1 and 2.) We fly into Term 6. AA operates out of 8/9 which really isn't convenient unless you have a massive connection time between the carriers. It involves a long, annoying ride with the AirTrain.
3.) B6 is the airline's designator code with IATA (Intl Air Transport Association). I have never found out the real reason for B6, but people say it's B for "blue" and 6 for Terminal "6." Sounds about right to me.

The AirTrain ride is only 2 stops from 5/6 to 8/9 (or now, just T8 as AA has re-branded the full new terminal). However, the AA clubs are behind security in 8, so the OP wouldn't be able to access them without a boarding pass for a T8 flight, AFAIK.

BA operates from T7. I presume they have a lounge, but don't know if it is before or after security.

They will be the same terminal from an AirTrain perspective, as the train is going to stop in the same place. You won't really need to do anything special to figure out which of the two you're supposed to be at, other than just follow the signs to JetBlue.
The lounge is airside/past security. If the OP has a membership they can probably get a gate pass, but it is still in a different terminal.

Also, I believe that the terminal loop train that runs in descending order only runs at rush hour. Otherwise it can take 10-15 minutes to do the loop around to get to the terminal.

Which is what I was getting at... Plus it's not like the AirTrain is right in the airport (ie: ATL, LAS, MCO)... You have to walk cross the skywalk, take the forever elevator walk inside.. Although just two stops away, there's a lot of movement to get there, which to me makes it inconvenient.

The clockwise loop also runs outside of rush hours.

See: http://www.panynj.gov/airtrain/

The new T5 is scheduled to open 1 Oct 2008.

Meanwhile, please beware that B6 actually fiies out of two terminals at T6. There's the main T6 and then the dreaded temporary T6 which requires taking a shuttle bus from the main T6.

Thankfully that will all vanish once the new T5 opens.

I'm never been in Temp T6, is it really a dreadful terminal or its just because it requires the bus. I was actually hoping one of my flights in September would
arrive or depart Temp T6

take a Boston flight and you will pretty much guarantee an arrival and departure out of the temporary terminal.... I could be wrong but technically the temporary terminal is right in front of T5, so its a temporary T5 terminal.


anyway, I did not find this terminal to be too dreadful on my last flight to/from Boston. I got to the airport kind of late, security line was long, but the bus ride was short, and as soon as I got into the temp terminal they started boarding so I was the first one on the plane, heh....

hopefully with the new terminal there will be less "dreaded" things about JetBlue to deal with when you fly.

--Russ

I like the T6 "prime" terminal much better than our main one. It's quieter (except when the door alarms go off), more seating, air conditioned well. We have a crew lounge there that all the non-JFK based flight crewmembers use because we just hate sitting in the main one. And yes, BOS does usually go out of T6Prime. I have been working 1010 a lot lately and we're usually out of 21-24...

I always thought B6 stood for "B and 6 more letters" since you know, only the 'B' is capitalized in "jetBlue", not 'j'.

I'm probably wrong though. :D

Yes.

To mean it is dreadful because the bus trip adds more time to my trip and one more random element to my trip.

It is also dreadful because there are fewer shops and services than the main T6 (not that the current food selection is that all great), it can be crowded, and because the furthest gate is a longish walk from the bus arrival portal.