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An Inside Look At The Old TWA Terminal At JFK
In 2012, it's hard to imagine catching a flight as anything but a routine, frequently dehumanizing process – waiting in long security lines, bad food and cramped terminals conspire to make our flying experience less than enjoyable. This wasn't always the case - back in the 1960s, flying was considered a glamorous, cutting edge industry, and the design of the airports matched that perception.
A great example of this is long-ago closed TWA Terminal at New York's JFK Airport. Opened in 1962 and designed by visionary architect Eero Saarinen, the building's soaring departures lobby, sleek waiting lounges and polished interior beckon travelers towards an optimistic golden age of travel that was just getting started. Today, that terminal lies tantalizing out of reach, a designated National Historic Landmark that rests unused and waiting directly in front of JetBlue's massive new Terminal 5.
Earlier this weekend, Gadling traveled out to JFK as part of Open House New York to take a sneak peek inside the now-shuttered terminal of TWA to get a taste of what air travel used to be like. Want to see what the glory days of air travel looked like for travelers? Take a peek inside the gallery below.
Gallery: Inside TWA Flight Center at New York's JFK Airport
Filed under: Photos, North America, United States, Airlines, Transportation, Airports
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
alexis1 Oct 8th 2012 5:52PM
Oh yes remember it well when flying was actually anticipated and cherished so to say..now hate it...Used to fly to vegas quite a bit in the sixties now vegas has lost that magic as well ..shame...
Sheldon Oct 8th 2012 1:32PM
Agreed! Flying used to be a pleasure. Seats were comfy. Food was wonderful.. Service was superb. Passengers dressed in finery and before boarding they actually bathed. I used to enjoy flying, but no more. I stopped flying before this terrorist era, because of how deteriorated the experience became, but now from what I see and hear I will never fly again, it's highly unsafe and I don't need to associate with riffraff... the airline employees appear to be far lower class than the scummy passengers..
Ben Oct 8th 2012 7:01PM
I spent over 20 years in various corporate jobs, earning great money, but having no freedom and not enough time to do the things I wanted to do. I love traveling and hated being tied down to 4 weeks leave a year, and being told when I could and when I couldn’t take it. I tried other opportunities with varying success, but I still had to work long hours trying to generate any kind of substantial income. When I found this business opportunity: ( HTTP://tinyurl.com/WorkWPaul ) it almost seemed too good to be true – but I thought… what if I don’t try this, what if it is everything it seems to be and I pass it up. So I jumped straight in and I haven’t looked back! In a very short space of time I am now well on my way to having the lifestyle of my dreams, in fact I gave up my corporate job within three months of starting this business. I love what I do every day, this is such a simple business it is so easy be successful.
Kate Oct 9th 2012 12:13PM
I remember when people actually dressed as if they were going out in public. The last (extremely cramped) flight I experienced was full of people who seemed to have just rolled out of bed, threw on some sandals, bragged their phones, tunes and backpack and headed to the airport....sans deodorant.
Cindy Halpern Oct 8th 2012 1:20PM
What wasted space.
Can't it be used for a nice restaurant or a newly emerged airline or both?
I remember when I first flew to Europe at the age of 12. Everybody was so friendly and helpful.
Times have changed for the worse.
Bob Oct 8th 2012 1:35PM
I flew from there to the Philippines 6 times frm 1975-1979. Great terminal.......it seemed so ahead of it.'s time
Bear Oct 8th 2012 1:34PM
Loved flying out of TWA terminal back in the '70's before they closed it.
Craig Oct 8th 2012 1:38PM
Yes, I to remember it well. I loved the airline and the terminal. It was like stepping into the future of what air travel would be like not the mess it is today. Many a flight to and from and always felt good to be back in New York. The airline is gone and the terminal closed. Where's the future? Not pretty. Maybe someone will use it as a museum for long layover travelers to visit and display the art and luxury of things in the past when air travel was an experience not a nightmare.
gomobile Oct 8th 2012 1:39PM
I remember the scene that was shot in the film Catch Me If you Can, while Tom Hanks follows Frank Abidnal in the tube going on a plane. This terminal should be reopened. What is the point of calling it a national treasure and keeping it closed? I thought the plan was after it was restored (and it was) to make it the entrance for JetBlue? What happened to that plan?
Jeremy Kressmann Oct 8th 2012 6:19PM
Gomobile, I think that WAS the plan...use the TWA Flight Center as an entrance for JetBlue Terminal 5.
For whatever reason, JetBlue hasn't moved ahead with the plan. I guess it was too expensive. So now it's just sitting there, waiting for someone to put it to good use...
Don Oct 8th 2012 1:45PM
And, people used to dress up to fly. Now, one observes a "dressed down" flyer. There are people dressing as if they were taking a bus...rather than an airplane. I for one would NEVER fly without wearing a business suit, but that's just me.
Drew Oct 8th 2012 7:41PM
Since the TSA turned flying into a nightmare, my standard dress for the trip is shorts, flip-flops and tank tops.
Flying is no longer a pleasure, but a dreaded necessity.
The TWA Terminal was way cool, always enjoyed it, nothing else like it.
200 TON HAMMER Oct 8th 2012 2:01PM
The only way you get top service really great service is too fly first class and buisness class,there are discount web pages,that deal with flying first class,and buisness class,i take my very first~Firstclass flight too phoenix arizonia febuary 2013.looking forward
too the awesome perks that goes with
First Class Flying.
Ron Oct 8th 2012 2:15PM
I used to be a flight attendant for TWA for two years in the mid '80's. These pictures bring back a lot of memories. I'm glad I can say I was around when flying was glamorous. I served 7-course meals in first class. Even coach had a level of service you won't find on any U.S. international flights today.
Maureen Oct 8th 2012 2:51PM
Flying before deregulation was so nice. Even in economy passengers received a menu of what would be served. Much nicer experience than now. Sure do miss TWA and PanAM for flying to the UK. Maybe the airlines need to be regulated again. Sure has not been good for the consumer since it stopped.
Gary Oct 8th 2012 6:51PM
Deregulation has been spectacular for the flying public. Airlines like Southwest fly for low enough cost that almost everyone can go places they never could when now defunked companies like TWA, Pan Am, and Eastern ruled the sky. Yeah, I would like people to be dressed better and have better manners on a plane but I'm willing to put up with them for a $300 round trip ticket to nice places.
c.e.correa Oct 8th 2012 4:57PM
Not only was flying glamorous, but an airline ticket was like cash; one year after buying it, you could switch flights without any extra expense, or get your money back, 100%.
Linda Oct 8th 2012 3:13PM
I used to love to fly. Went half way around the world in the 60's. And, I loved to fly TWA. Flew from N. CA to S. CA maybe 10 times a year to visit my family. You couldn't get me on a plane now for any price. They have made it uncomfortable and heaven help you if you speak to the person next to you. Flying used to be fun and a great experience. Now it's an invasion of privacy and "big-brother" like. I hate it and if I can't drive to wherever I want to go...well, then I'll just stay home. I refuse to pay to be abused by strangers. In my opinion...TSA should be disbanded because it has shown that we are NO safer today than we were on 911.
DecaturDog Oct 8th 2012 3:16PM
I remember how wonderful air-travel used to be, too! My dad flew for Eastern and was based in Chicago - Midway and then O'Hare. TWA had perimeter fares for children of other airlines employees, and I think it went something like $78/RT from Atlanta to New York to Rome and First Class, too! Now, flying is something I have to prepare for weeks in advance and the flights themselves are horrible.
KirkHere Oct 8th 2012 3:27PM
So glad the TWA Terminal has been designated a landmark. My Dad was one of the Operating Engineers (Crane Operator) who poured the concrete of the famed "Winged Terminal." The construction men of the 1960's were so proud of that building when they were done.
Designating it a "Historical Landmark" honors those men as well as the architect who designed it.