JFK T5 "a fligth to nowhere" on jetBlue

No, this isn't some kind of a joke or sarcasm towards jetBlue and their delay/cancellation woes. I really did take jetBlue on a flight to nowhere this weekend and it was sweet!


I was among 1,000 other loyal jetBlue TrueBlue members to be invited to participate in a test of the luggage system and operations at thier brand spanking new terminal 5 at JFK airport. I first heard about this event on FlyerTalk.com and since I didn't get a personal invite right away I quickly asked one of the other members to forward me a copy of their's... but just a few days later I got my very own invite from jetBlue. I was joking that I must be at the bottom of jetBlue marketing list because it seems I always get special offers and promotions about a week after everyone else.


Upon arrival at JFK the first thing that strikes your eyes is the old TWA terminal: Eero Saarinen building that will now symbolize jetBlue even though TWA sign is still above it. The new jetBlue parking lot is very convenient and parking on the 5th floor allows you to walk right into the walkway connecting AirTrain to both T5 and T6. The walk to the main terminal is quite long, which will be pretty awful when on the rush, but it's something we'll have to learn to deal with.

The new terminal is spacious! If I could use one word to describe it it would be huge. The new TSA security area looks quick and infact after checking in for my pretend fligth it was a breeze. That was probably the most realistic part of the whole experience, while everything else was going according to the script the TSA were quick to turn around people carrying water, change in their pockets or even forgetful folks like me that left his keys in his pocket.


The most attractive part of the new terminal itself, aside from all the shops and restaurants that weren't there yet but had reps on site giving more information, was the gate area 14, 15 and 16. There are seats aligned along the huge windows overlooking the runway and quite a few jets caught the attention of the participants, everything from regional commuter jets to double decker Boeing 747's.


We were allowed to keep the carry-on bags we checked in to test the system, and after checking in for my pretend Las Vegas flight and arriving from Oakland I made my way outside to the tents set up on the departures driveway to have lunch with everyone from the participants, the media, to the Port Authority cops and of course many jetBlue big wigs including the CEO Dave Barger. They had catered food, some entertainment and a drawing for free flights anywhere jetBlue jets... unfortunately with my luck and even after a pretend flight to Las Vegas I was still unlucky and didn't win anything.


I did score a few hats and luggage tags though, before heading home.


Thanks jetBlue for a really special experience, I can't wait to fly out of there... JFK so far is my primary local airport even though both EWR and LGA are significantly closer.


www.jetblue.com