After my hour-long commute with luggage via the L and A subway lines, I find myself on the AirTrain shuttle, making sure I don’t miss my stop. I know once I find it, I will have a nice little jaunt via elevated tram across a highway junction and a couple of odd access roads. Up an elevator, and I will finally be in the concourse. Another day at JFK Airport.
Image via wikipedia.org
This is all about to change. Updates are coming fast at New York’s airports, including a newly opened Delta Terminal at JFK, and a design competition hosted by the Port Authority of NY & NJ to renovate and master plan both major NYC airports to accommodate passengers beyond the year 2050. It’s the kind of project that should make everyone’s multimodal transportation appreciably smoother. Many new airports, such as Indianapolis and even Chicago’s O’Hare, are way less crowded and easier to navigate than LaGuardia and JFK, which together are the busiest in the U.S., serving 27 million and 50.4 million passengers, respectively.
Image via wikipedia.org
The Gensler-designed Delta Terminal at JFK’s new Terminal 4 is the second phase of a $175-million scheme by Delta Air Lines to streamline and simplify travelers’ paths through the terminal. It will also improve internal Delta operations such as baggage handling and ticketing. Panoramic views of Manhattan as well as power and USB ports at “relax and recharge” counters will make waiting much more pleasant. This comes on the heels of Gensler’s 2008 addition to the iconic Eero Saarinen-designed Terminal 5 at JFK.
Image via crainsnewyork.com
As for the future, it looks like the competition will be much more comprehensive. It includes overhauls of the terminals to improve getting to, from, and around the airport, and even mentions the possibility of ferries to make it easier to access LaGuardia. The brief [PDF] mentions modification and rehabilitation of existing structures, but does not rule out moving runways, or even using a “blank slate” approach if deemed necessary. It also calls for state-of-the art technology and retail/dining spaces, which means there should be plenty of places to charge your phone while eating sushi. But seriously, no more sitting on the dirty floor by the outlet.
Image via nycmap360.com
The overhaul of JFK should be similar; however, the larger airport is less constrained in its footprint. Prompts include upgrading the connections to the AirTrain system and the subway. There is also the possibility of creating an “Aerotropolis” or an “Airport City,” with hotels and conference centers alongside industrial typologies such as medical or warehousing facilities. The Port Authority is also looking for upgrades to technology, waiting areas, and general circulation, and it should go without saying that both schemes are expected to be environmentally sensitive and respect the local surroundings. Unfortunately, we’re still not sure what to say about Newark…