The Airchive-New York JFK Planespotting

	Terminal 1 Korean, Lufthansa, Air France, and Japan Airlines operate from one of the most modern of JFKs terminals. They were among the airlines that moved from the former IAB at Terminal 4. This terminal is an excellent indication of the major rennaisance at JFK. For years, JFK had been in disrepair, bypassed by other gateways for international flights and by Newark and Laguardia for local traffic. By 2006, half of the terminals will be new since 2000 (T1, T2, T4, T8).

	Terminal 4 The impressive Terminal 4is home to the majority of JFKs foreign based carriers, which left the IAB at Terminal 4 in 2000.
	PIA Boeing 747-400 and Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747-400 at Terminal 4 PIA operates to Karachi via Manchester, UK and Virgin operates to Heathrow from JFK.
	EgyptAir Boeing 777-200 at Terminal 4 EgyptAir operates non-stop to Cairo from JFK.
	Terminal 4Ramp An LTU Airbus A-330, Varig Boeing 777, and El Al Boeing 74-400 are seen at this ramp.
	Terminal 3 - Delta Airlines This was once the famed Pan Am WorldPort before Delta took it over at the time of PAs bankrupcty in 1991. Built in 1969, it was once state of art, but is now hopelessly overcrowded and outmoded for Delta's massive JFK operation.
	Terminal 3 - Overhang Airside The unique overhang, reminiscent of Berlin Templehof, was built in the early 1970s when the World Port was expanded. At one time, the roof was a parking lot.
	Terminal 3 - 1986 Pan Am WorldPort Map
	TWA Saarinen Terminal 5 - 1998 Images When TWA opened it’s Eero Saarinen-designed gullwing terminal in 1962 it became an instant icon of the glamour and limitless possibilities of flight. It was, however, insufficent and crowded from day one. As TWA contracted its JFK hub, sold off it’s Heathrow routes, suffered brutally at the hands of Carl Icaan, and weathered 2 bankruptcies, the JFK landmark became a shell of it’s former self. These images were taken in February 1998, 2 1/2 years before TWA’s takeover by American and the subsequent closure of the terminal. Though the concourses are reportedly being raised, the terminal will continue to stand as a historic landmark. JetBlue entered in an agreement with the Port Authority to utlize the terminal for its ever expaning JFK operation following a renovation.

	TWA Saarinen Terminal 5 - 2005 Images The terminal has been empty since 2001, since American absorbed TWA. It will be saved and used as a landmark and for partial Jet Blue operations. For a brief time, Jet Blue used the famed flight wings. Interestingly, the pre-1995 TWA logo signage still remains.



	Jet Blue at Terminal 6 Jet Blue operates from the former National Airlines "Sundome". The highly successful Jet Blue, though just 3 years old, is becoming one of the major operators at its JFK hub. I fly their A-320 flights often and I find their service superb. They have truly “out Southwested” Southwest. Jet Blue operates from what was once the National Airlines “Sundome” and soon will be operating out of parts of the historic former-TWA terminal 5.



	Terminal 7 British Airways and United Airlines share Terminal 7. This is odd in my opinion as UA and BA are major rivals as leaders in their Star and One World Alliances. Maybe BA will move to the new AA terminal at one time. BA is the #1 international carrier at JFK wwith flights to London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Scotland. Concorde operated from this very terminal up until the end in October, 2003.

	American Airlines Old Terminals 8 and 9 This terminal, constructed in the early 1960s, is well known for the world's longest stained glass window which flanks the front. This very dated and cramped facility was replaced between 2005 and May, 2007 for a brand new world class facility, years behind schedule. At one time the facade of T8 was the longest display of stained glass in the world. When the facility is torn down, it will unfortunately, not be preserved.


	American Airlines Terminal 8 Ticketing Terminal 8 has a unique ticket counter which uses the ramp as a live backdrop. This is an exciting relic of the excitement of the early 1960s Jet Age. In my travels, this is unique to this terminal. Unfortunately, this concept won't be present in the new Terminal 8.
	American Airlines Old Terminal 8 and 9 Concourse
	American Airlines Old Terminal 8 Airside
	American Airlines New 2005 Terminal Poster American's dated and cramped terminal 8 was replaced by a state of the art facility beginning with the ticketing hall in 2005 with the concourse opening in 2007. The project has modest cost by terminal standards but was years behind schedule.
	American Airlines New Terminal 8 American's dated and cramped terminal 8 was replaced by a state of the art facility beginning with the ticketing hall in 2005 with the concourse opening in 2007. The project has modest cost by terminal standards but was years behind schedule.
	American Airlines New Terminal 8 Ticketing Hall






	American Airlines New Terminal 8 Airside

	American Airlines New Terminal 8 First Arrival - May 14, 2007 Jose Lauzardo of Miami was excited when he found out his flight was the first scheduled arrival into Terminal 8's new concourse. The boarding pass is seen below. Photos courtesy: Jose Lauzardo

	American Airlines New Terminal 8 Logo Display
	American Airlines Airbus A300-600 - July, 2007 American began flying A300-600s in 1989. They are the only Airbus products flown by AA. American has a love/hate relationship with the jet. CFOs and cargo personell love it due to its high lift cargo and passenger capability, especially for its chosen mission in the East Coast and Carribbean. Flight crews and passengers deride it for its high capacity, low service ceiling (a definite disadvantage for dealing with storms in the area), and rigid wings which provide a rough ride in turbulent weather. Following the November 2001 crash in Queens, there are safety concerns as well on the part of some crew and passengers. American and Airbus publicly pointed fingers at each other following the crash. See cabin shots at airline interiors page.

	American Eagle ERJ-145
	JetBlue Maintenance Hanger F6's main maintenance base is in Orlando, but a hanger formely occupied by Tower Air takes care of JetBlue's needs at its JFK operation base.
	Original 1940s Quonset Hut Hangers
	Aerolineas Argentina Boeing 747-200 The Argentinian flag carrier is one of the world's last frontline operators of the 747 Classic.
	Air France Boeing 777 The 777 forms the backbone of Air France's North Atlantic fleet, steadily replacing the 747s.
	Finnair MD-11 Finnair was the first operator of the MD-11 and is now one of the last to use it in passenger service.
	Northwest Boeing 747-400 NW used to operate 747-400s non-stop from JFK to its Asian hub at Tokyo Narita. Competition from American and Continental, airlines with stronger route structures in New York, likely had much to do with this decision. This 747 is seen in the 1989 livery. A new scheme was introduced in 2004 and is being implemented systemwide.
	JFK Air Train The Air Train finally opened in 2003 after years of construction. The tram not only connects all terminals efficently, but it also connects with the Long Island Railroad providing, at last, a full rail service into New York, albeit by changing trains.