eXpect delaYs Travel Delay Blog - New York City

Stone Rose Bar & Grill Opens at JFK Airport

nospam@example.com (Gus) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 12:19:44 -0500

The Stone Rose Bar & Grill opens in Delta's Terminal 3 at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) - February 2010 - The Stone Rose Bar & Grill opened recently at JFK. According to the HMSHost press release (February 9, 2010), "Stone Rose Bar & Grill at JFK reflects the Gerber Group brand’s trademarks: cutting-edge design and innovative cocktails offered in an atmosphere of casual elegance. While sipping cocktails, travelers can also catch their favorite sporting event on one of the many flat screen TVs while dining on a wide variety of upscale fare. In addition to tasty bites such as Jumbo Shrimp Sugarcane Skewer, Roasted Chicken Buffalo Mozzarella salad, a Caprese Ficelle or Steak Flatbread sandwich, all of which can be followed by a Berries and Chocolate dessert, the menu includes breakfast selections of quiche, scrambles, bagels and more."

The new Stone Rose Bar & Grill joins these other John F. Kennedy International Airport restaurants:

Balducci's Post-Security Food Court
Burger King Post-Security Main Food Court
Burger King Post-Security Upper Food Court Opposite Gate 18
Chili's Too Post-Security Food Court
Ciao Post-Security Gate 18
Dunkin' Donuts Post-Security Gate 14
Dunkin' Donuts/Gourmet on the Fly Pre-Security International Arrivals Area
Healthy Gourmet Post-Security Gate 14
Sam Adams Brewhouse Post-Security Food Court
Sbarro Post-Security Food Court
Starbucks Coffee Post-Security Gate 18
Starbucks Coffee Post-Security Food Court

NY Kennedy Airport Runway Closure Could Cause Summer Flight Delays (JFK)

nospam@example.com (Gus) — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 15:49:59 -0500

New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) runway construction has potential to cause early summer flight delays

New York John F. Kennedy international Airport (JFK) - January 2010 - The program in progress to decrease flight delays at Kennedy Airport will include closure of the airport's main runway, the "Bay Runway" from March until June 2010. When it reopens in July, it will still be with limitations. During the closure, with certain wind directions the airport will have only one runway operational. The Bay runway is the second longest runway in the country. The closure will result in 6 inches of runway asphalt being replaced by thicker more durable concrete, which is intended to ultimately decrease runway maintenance requirements and closures. A second runway will close for 2 weeks in September as part of the program. All of the major airlines operating out of JFK have agreeed to delay the start of theiir summer flight schedule until July 1. This will result in fewer than normal flights in June, and the potential for flight delays, partiicularly if the weather creates runway useage limitations. The largest domestic carrier at JFK is JetBlue and the largest international carrier is Delta. Anyone planning their summer travel should keep this runway closure and potential for JFK flight delays in mind.

Source: New York Times January 7, 2010
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/08/nyregion/08runway.html?pagewanted=1&sq=kennedy%20runway%20closure&st=cse&scp=1

JFK Terminal 4 New Airport Restaurants - Coming Soon

nospam@example.com (Gus) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 15:39:14 -0400

New John F. Kennedy Airport Restaurants opening soon

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) (July 2009) -- Slated to open later this year are a number of new airport restaurants in John F. Kennedy Airport Terminal 4. Unfortunately the press release does not give an opening date for these restaurants, and the JFK website still lists all the old restaurants. The line up is quite impressive, though and includes:

The Palm Bar & Grille - this will be the first airport location of the famous steakhouse chain which started in New York City.
Seafood Bar by Caviar House & Prunar - will features a premier selection of wine and vodkas as well as Balik smoked salmon, Atlantic seafood and Prunier farmed Caspian caviar.
ZPizza - features fire-baked 100% organic wheat dough pizza with extensive topping options
Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar - a national chain famous for its chicken wings, but also offering other menu items such as appetizers and burgers
Tigin Irish Pub & Restaurant - features Irish food and European draft beers
Upper Crust & Panopolis - two bakery concepts, with the first featuring fresh baguettes, and the second sandwiches on artisanal bread.
Panda Express - a fast food Chinese chain
Peet's Coffee & Tea

If you have recently visited Terminal 4 please let us know which of these restaurants have opened, and any comments you may have on them. Thanks! - Gus

Pet Relief Area Opens at JFK And PetAirways Begins Service

nospam@example.com (Gus) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 14:56:49 -0400

American Airlines opens "Pet Relief Area" at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Terminal 8 and PetAirways begins operations.

Kennedy International Airport (JFK) (July 2009) -- If you are traveling with a pet through Kennedy Airport Terminal 8 then your pet is in luck! A new "Pet Relief Area" has opened at the departure level, giving pets one last opportunity, like their masters, to take care of their business before boarding the plane. It sound like there's everything a pet would need, like bags for their masters' to pick up their pets' business, some real grass, and a fire hydrant.

On a side note, a recent article in the New York Times has a nice discussion on traveling by air with pets, and some useful links.

Of course, most people have already heard about the recent launch of PetAirways, but in case you haven't or want to learn mor, you can learn about them on their website - petairways.com. Their website also offers some useful tips for traveling with pets and getting things ready for their flight. Initial service which began on July 14 is near 5 major metropolitan airports, which includes Republic Airport in Farmingdale, NY (on Long Island); Baltimore/Washington International Airport; Chicago Midway; Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (Broomfield, CO), Hawthorne Municipal AIrport/Los Angeles Executive Airport (Hawthorne, CA). They fly turboprob planes which have had their cabins refitted to hold the pet carriers (that they provide for your pet), which are held in place by their proprietary restraint system. A Pet Attendant monitors the animals throughout the flight as well as in the Pet Lounge. Your pet's progress can also be tracked on-line. You can check out pictures of the PetAirways planes and "pawsenger" area on the PetAirways web site as well.

Bobbie Van's Steakhouse Now Open at JFK

nospam@example.com (Gus) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 22:13:30 -0400

Bobbie Van's Steakhouse, a New York City Area Steakhouse, opens a restaurant in Kennedy Airport, in Terminal 8, the American Airlines Terminal

Kennedy International Airport (JFK) - June 2009 -- Bobby Van's Steakhouse has recently opened a restaurant in the American Airlines Terminal (Terminal 8) at Kennedy Airport (JFK). Bobby Van's is a steakhouse that had its beginnings in Bridgehampton, NY, and has restaurants in New York City and Washington, D.C. The reviews for this restaurant so far have been positive. The staff will expedite your order if you let them know that your flight is leaving soon, however some people have mentioned the service can be somewhat slow, and suggest that you tell them your plane is leaving a little earlier to allow yourself time to enjoy your meal. The restaurant has 140 seats, TV's that display flight information, and a full menu, including wine, beer and cocktails. It sounds like it is worth a stop if you are looking for some decent food before your flight. Bobby Van's Steakhouse joins Drink Martini Bar, O'Neals, New York Sports Bar, Soho Bistro and Vino Volo Wine Room in Terminal 8*.

You can learn more about Bobby Van's Steakhouse on their website, although they do not have information posted about the Kennedy Airport location.

*Concession information from JFK website, June 26, 2009.

Heineken Lounge Opens In Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)

nospam@example.com (Gus) — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:12:36 -0500

Heineken opens a new lounge in Newark Liberty International Airport Terminal C.

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) - December 8, 2008 - Although you won't find any information as of this date on the Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) website or the Heineken USA or Delaware North (the concession operator) websites, rumor has it that Heineken, in conjunction with Delaware North, has opened a lounge in terminal C. This lounge will join multiple other beer establishments located in Terminal C including Sam Adams Brewhouse, Miller Brewhouse, Anheuser Busch Brewhouse and the Brooklyn Brewery Jazz Bar. Perhaps one of these was replaced by the new Heineken Lounge?

The Heineken Lounge at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) will offer Heineken beverages as well as gourmet snacks and light meals. According to Aviation News, the Heineken Lounge offers attributes found in membership only lounges, however no membership is required. Rumor has it that they will have private cabanas, movies, tv, WiFi and other entertainment. The specific attributes are not listed officially, so we are eager to see for ourselves or hear the specifics from our readers. It is open from 9am - 9pm.

Remember, if you eXpect delaYs, you can beat them! (and maybe even enjoy them!)

Sources: Business First of Buffalo, Aviation News, USA Today Airport Check-in

JetBlue Airways' Kennedy Airport (JFK) Terminal 5 Now Open

nospam@example.com (Gus) — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:36:35 -0400

635,000-Square-Foot Terminal Offers Efficiency and Boasts Customer-Friendly Features

NEW YORK, Oct 22, 2008 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) JFK Airport -- JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq:JBLU) today welcomes its first customers to Terminal 5, the airline's newly constructed home at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Commencing today, all JetBlue departures from JFK will operate from T5, as will all domestic arrivals and international arrivals that pre-clear U.S. customs prior to arriving in New York. The first flight scheduled to arrive at T5 was JetBlue Flight 358 from Burbank at 5:05 a.m. The first departure scheduled for T5 was JetBlue Flight 709 to San Juan, with a scheduled departure time of 6:00 a.m.

One of the first terminals in the U.S. to be completely designed and built post 9/11, T5 focuses on efficiency and customer comfort. The 635,000-square-foot terminal boasts 26 gates distributed throughout three concourses and includes a 55,000-square-foot central retail and concession Marketplace. T5 is designed to accommodate up to 20 million annual customers with up to 250 daily departures.

"From day one Terminal 5 will welcome more than 30 percent of JFK's annual customer traffic," said Dave Barger, CEO of JetBlue Airways. "The terminal is designed specifically with our customers in mind, and we have created a new standard in both comfort and service that everyone can enjoy. Its unique amenities will create a stress free on-the-ground experience for JetBlue customers that will match the innovative and award-winning experience JetBlue is known for in the air."

The design of T5 allows customers to control their own movement and experience through the terminal. There are two check-in areas with a total of 65 e-ticket kiosks and 40 traditional check-in counters, a large central security checkpoint -- the largest single checkpoint in the United States -- capable of accommodating 20 screening lanes, and an automated "in-line" baggage system that efficiently moves bags from the check-in lobby through screening and to the ramp for delivery to waiting aircraft. Customers will be able to enjoy free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal, grandstand seating under a 40-foot-diameter digital ring of LCD monitors in the Marketplace, spacious gate areas with ample seating, expansive windows that bring in natural light and offer unparalleled runway views, a children's play space, and a lounge-like area in the East Concourse filled with whimsical and colorful furniture by Italian designer Moroso.

Twenty-two concessions, created exclusively for T5 by OTG Management, and 25 specialty retail stores present customers with unique dining and shopping options. T5 includes nine full-serve restaurants, bars and cafes; a gourmet food hall featuring eight quick-serve eateries; grab-and-go gourmet markets; three coffee bars; six bars/lounges; and an innovative gate area program called re:vive that allows customers to use touch-screen monitors to order meals for delivery to the gate areas.

T5, designed by Gensler and created in collaboration with Turner Construction Company, Arup, AECOM (as DMJM Harris) and Rockwell Group, provides operational efficiencies while offering a customer-friendly experience for today's traveler. The terminal was majority funded by and built in collaboration with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Kennedy Airport's operator. T5 is located behind the iconic Eero Saarinen-designed TWA terminal, which remains under the control of the Port Authority. The Port Authority is rehabilitating and restoring the landmark structure in order to reopen it to the public under an adaptive reuse program. The design of JetBlue's new T5 began in March 2004 with groundbreaking occurring in December 2005.

See additional articles about JFK Terminal 5 on eXpectdelaYs.com.

American Airlines Now Offers PriorityAAccess Privileges to Its Top Customers at JFK Airport

nospam@example.com (Gus) — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 01:32:49 -0400

PriorityAAccess at Terminal 8 Eases Check In, Security, Boarding for AAdvantage Elite Status Members, First and Business Class Travelers, AAirpass Customers, and Passengers Traveling on Full-Fare Economy Class Tickets

NEW YORK, Oct. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/-- American Airlines is now offering PriorityAAccess(SM) privileges to its top customers at John F.Kennedy International Airport.

"We are delighted that our implementation of PriorityAAccess is now complete, and we offer its entire array of enhancements to our premium customers at JFK," said Brian Troy, American's Managing Director for its Terminal 8 at JFK. "PriorityAAccess is making the entire airport process and travel experience more convenient for these top customers -- at the ticket counter, at security checkpoints, and at the gate."

With PriorityAAccess, American's AAdvantage(R) elite status members, First and Business Class travelers, AAirpass customers, and passengers traveling on full-fare Economy Class tickets receive more control and enjoy an easier journey when they travel with dedicated PriorityAAccess check-in,
security screening lanes (where available), and exclusive boarding lanes at the gate.

PriorityAAccess is just one of the amenities that have become a way of life for premium customers at American's $1.3 billion JFK terminal. For example, the terminal offers two sleek, contemporary Admirals Club lounges -- one in Concourse B and the other in Concourse C. The lounges are available to Admirals Club members and to First Class and Business Class passengers on international flights. Concourse B also offers a stylish Flagship Lounge, open to passengers flying First Class on international flights, or Full Fare First Class on domestic transcontinental flights with three classes of service.

    For passengers with free time at Terminal 8, American, a founding member of the oneworld(R) Alliance, also provides an extensive concessions area consisting of 49 retail and restaurant establishments spanning 53,000 square feet at Terminal 8. Virtually every passenger visiting any one of the retailers and restaurants in Terminal 8's concessions area will be able to find something that will remind them of home. The selection ranges from those typifying New York (Abitino's Pizza, O'Neals' and Brooklyn National Deli), those with a decidedly international flavor (Vino Volo, Juan Valdez
Cafe, and Euro Pan), and an array of upscale retailers (Tumi, Hugo Boss, Lacoste and Estee Lauder).

    Self-service international check-in and international curbside check-in are available at Terminal 8, as well. A leading international gateway, American's Terminal 8 features 26 international and 19 domestic non-stop destinations and offers 83 departures daily.

    Following is a summary of American's PriorityAAccess benefits at JFK. These benefits are available to First and Business Class customers; AAdvantage Executive Platinum(R), AAdvantage Platinum(R), and AAdvantage Gold(R) members; AAirpass(R) customers; oneworld(R) Alliance Emerald,
Sapphire and Ruby members; and customers traveling on full-fare Economy Class tickets, which are booked in American's "Y" ticket category.

    PriorityAAccess Check-In

    PriorityAAccess customers enjoy their own dedicated check-in area at the ticket counter with distinctive signage clearly identifying PriorityAAccess lines. In addition, "PriorityAAccess" is printed on
boarding passes, designating travelers as American's top customers. American will offer priorityAAccess check-in areas at all of the airports it serves worldwide.

    PriorityAAccess Security Screening

    At Terminal 8, American offers exclusive PriorityAAccess security screening lanes. Like the dedicated check-in lines, PriorityAAccess screening lanes are clearly marked with special signage. Currently, American is establishing PriorityAAccess screening lanes at its 10 largest
airports, as well as in other airports where permitted by the TSA.

    In addition to JFK, these airports will have exclusive PriorityAAccess security screen lanes: Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Miami (MIA), Los Angeles (LAX), New York La Guardia (LGA), St. Louis (STL), San Francisco (SFO), Boston (BOS) and San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU).

    PriorityAAccess Boarding Lanes

    To further enhance convenience for its top customers, American offers dual boarding lanes at its departure gates at JFK -- one for PriorityAAccess customers and one for general boarding. Customers with PriorityAAccess privileges are invited to board first or board at any time through their exclusive PriorityAAccess lane, which allows them to bypass lines after general boarding has begun.