In this post:
New BA/AA New York JFK Terminal first look
American Airlines and British Airways announced more details regarding plans to co-locate operations at John F. Kennedy International Airport’s (JFK) Terminal 8 beginning from 1 December 2022. British Airways will be moving to Terminal 8 to be alongside American Airlines. This will make it easier when transferring to or from domestic flights with AA.
There will be 5 new widebody gates, four new widebody hardstand parking positions, an enhanced baggage handling system, new customer amenities and expanded premium guest offerings — including approximately 130,000 square feet of new and renovated terminal space.
As customers arrive at Terminal 8, a co-branded premium check-in area providing personalized, concierge-style service for top-tier guests will replace American’s former Flagship First Check-In space. There will also be an exclusive new check-in space for eligible business customers.
Once through security, three distinctive custom lounges combining the best of both brands will provide the preflight experience for select guests based on cabin of travel and loyalty program status. The expanded premium lounge offerings will incorporate seating for approximately 1,000 of American and British Airways’ customers.
The most exclusive lounge will have an all-new champagne bar, fireside lounge and a la carte dining room, which reimagines American’s Flagship First Dining into a fully immersive experience. This is likely to be for those who hold Gold Guest List and are travelling in First Class.
Adjacent, another premium lounge with sweeping airside views, a wine bar, cocktail lounge, library and buffet is likely to be the equivalent of the First lounge with access for Gold Cardholders. The American’s Flagship Lounge and Concourse B Admirals Club will be repurposed into a lounge for eligible business class customers.
American’s current Flagship First Check-in at JFK is expected to close on 1 February for construction. Premium customers traveling on eligible itineraries will be directed to temporary check-in counters located nearby. All lounge spaces will remain open and operational through the duration of the redevelopment project. Following completion, the Concourse B Admirals Club will close. The Concourse C Admirals Club will continue to serve qualifying customers.
UK PLFs to simplified…finally!
One of the things that has really annoyed me about the UK’s PLF is the number of questions, some completely unnecessary, that it asked. Many are not overly clear either, although at least you can save your basic information if you travel a lot. When I travelled to Switzerland in the summer their simple form that took all the vital information took seconds to fill in, so I did wonder did the UK make it deliberately complicated to add to the general pain of travelling when they were still trying to stop people from travelling at all a year ago.
There was more good news yesterday when Grant Shapps called them “ridiculously complicated to work your way through” and said that they will be simplified. Well, Mr Shapps, given you are the Transport Minister and you knew they were “ridiculously complicated” did you not do something to sort it out in the last year since they came in?
You will also be able to fill them in 72 hours before departure instead of 48 hours.
Virgin Atlantic cancel Caribbean two routes
Virgin Atlantic has cancelled two regional routes to the Caribbean until winter 2022 due to lack of demand. Manchester and Edinburgh flights to Barbados will be suspended until next winter. The Manchester flights will be suspended from 30 April but the Edinburgh flights will be cancelled from 16 February after they only launched in December 2021.
Customers can get a full refund if affected, take a voucher, request to be re-routed or change dates.
3 comments
The grammar in this article is atrocious.
From memory, the “first wing” at JFK was nothing more than some little podiums in a partly walled off area so if that’s closing on 1st Feb I guess when I pass through on 10th Feb, it will just be a normal bank of check in desks? Not sure why closing something in the dedicated BA terminal7 was necessary if all this new stuff is being done in T8?
It’s the AA one that’s closing not BA on 1 Feb. Yes it’s just a podium area for the BA first wing.
Comments are closed.