British Airways has announced that it will undertake a $30 million, 18-month-long project to enhance its premium ground facilities at its terminal building at JFK International Airport, New York. Scheduled to begin in June 2008, the project will encompass three main areas: creating a new premium check-in pavilion with a dedicated curb side drop off for First and Executive Club Gold customers; building an enhanced and dedicated check-in area for Club World and Executive Club Silver customers; renovation of Terraces, First Class and Concorde Lounges to the new Galleries specification as now operating in the airline's new London Heathrow Terminal 5 facility.  

The expanded terminal, developed by New York-based TPG Architecture was created in association with Davis & Baron of London. TPG's contribution, comprising over 22,500 sq. ft., will include a newly landscaped vehicle drop-off area featuring an original sculptural artwork; a swooping, 100-ft. canopy made of glass and aluminum-clad steel; and a canted, 3,000-sq.-ft. glazed glass building addition rising 30 ft. at its highest.

TPG also completed the design development and construction documents for the Concorde Lounge, the Club Lounge, Check-in and Café in addition to the design and implementation of the new Premium Passenger areas. The project is slated for completion in summer 2009.
 
In addition, the redeveloped building will be the first of its kind at JFK to pursue LEED® certification.

"In a time of rapidly increasing and robust competition, British Airways will now raise the competitive bar far higher than any of its JFK competitors," says Robin Hayes, British Airways' executive vice president Americas.

"The redevelopment project is perfectly timed as British Airways plans to expand the number of flights to the UK as well as launch, this June, its new OpenSkies airline operating between Paris and New York.  British Airways also will launch a new flight between JFK and London Gatwick Airport in the fall of this year, and next year, plans to begin flights between New York and London City Airport."

A variety of renovations from the retail, to restaurant and Club World spa areas have already been completed.   

Terminal Seven’s newest restaurant, Todd English’s Bonfire, has just opened and Elemis, the creator and manufacturer of spa-therapies and beauty products for men and women, operates a spa in British Airways’ Club World Lounge.