What does it take to build a new terminal in the middle of one of the busiest and most crowded airports in North America? Vantage Airport Group knows that problem all too well, having recently completed the reconstruction of LaGuardia’s Terminal B. Now the company is taking that experience and expertise to the south side of Queens, where a new Terminal 6 is underway at JFK Airport.
Speaking at Aviation Festival Americas in Miami last week, Sammy Patel, VP Commercial for Vantage, shared some details about the challenges and how the company is overcoming them, as well as some insights on how the company is testing the design of the space before actually building it.
A passenger-focused experience
What do passengers want in an airport terminal? There’s no single answer to that question, which creates challenges. But Vantage works with the airlines to understand what their typical travelers’ needs are and helps shape the terminal offerings around that. This means a blend of retail, dining, services, and simply space to be. All of that is on tap for the new terminal. And Patel is keen to ensure that passengers are excited and happy to be in the space, not anxious about missing their flight.
Some of that starts outside the building, with an extra-long curb front, reducing the number of cars double-parked (though that is something of a sport in NYC). JetBlue made similar arguments about its T5 design, with the curved roadway making it easy for drivers to see space towards the far end of the terminal.
Inside the building, Patel is focused on making wayfinding intuitive and ensuring passengers are always moving forward through the space, “You’re always going to move forward; we’re not trying to allow the passengers to go back on themselves, because that’s where some of the stress comes in, the anxiety comes in.We spend a lot of time trying to make sure that the entire process is seamless and intuitive.”
Making that initial experience in the building as smooth as possible is great for reducing passenger stress, but there’s a secondary motive for Vantage as well: Shopping.
“It goes to the notion of how excited can we make the passenger,” Patel explains.”You have to create theatre. It is fine to have fun in the departure lounges. Because that is what’s going to actually drive spend within the terminal. If we can make it a fun and exciting place where they actually want to shop and dine and use all the services in the terminal, that is a factor in passengers enjoying the experience and wanting to depart from our terminal.”
Patel also spoke of blending digital and human touchpoints, especially for helping passengers during IROPs. Given that airlines typically manage that situation it was unclear how the airport would contribute. But Patel does recognize that the terminal could be adversely affected if the passengers are not well cared for during such events.
Blending into the existing JFK
The new Terminal Six is greenfield construction, but it is not a standalone facility. It will join with JetBlue‘s Terminal 5 allowing for free flow of passengers within the compbined space. That adds some complexity for the design and integration. It also creates opportunities for a more efficient passenger flow. Patel notes that JetBlue is a key strategic partner and equity investor in T6, which helps to build a consistent passenger experience through the terminals.
Beyond the passenger experience, the connected terminals will also drive a shift in airline operations. Once fully built T6 will take on some of JetBlue’s international services. The carrier processes all of its inbound international arrivals through the customs and immigration facility in T5 today. That will shift, with a new, consolidated facility in T6 taking over when Terminal Six opens.
Patel highlighted the potential for easier passenger connections in the new terminal, thanks to a dedicated security re-clearance area for inbound travelers. JetBlue built that capability into T5’s CBP space but never really had sufficient volume to justify staffing it. With the other airlines operating into T6 that seems poised to change.
Pushing international arrivals further from T5’s core gates could mean longer walks for JetBlue passengers or needing to tow planes over to the T5 side of the facility. Neither of those is particularly great. But the efficiency of operating a consolidated facility is significant for the combined airline operations.
Terminal 7 as a test bed
It is rare that an airport operator has a chance to test components of their design and service plan in advance of construction. But Vantage Group has the advantage of also operating Terminal 7 today, “allowing us to try all of the new technology we’re thinking around, all the new processes we’re talking about, to see if it works or not,” Patel explains
Among the bits running in T7 today, a new bathroom design is helping to validate passenger flows and fixture reliability. Similarly, the company is able to test flooring options for T6 in the T7 gate areas to ensure product longevity.
The first phase of Terminal Six is slated to open in 2026, and construction is on schedule as of today. Hopefully that holds and the passenger-focused benefits being designed into the space come to fruition as planned.
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