American Airlines has opened a $1.3 billion terminal at New York's JFK International airport as part of a campaign to capture high-yielding business fliers.
The new terminal has a separate check-in area for business and first-class passengers, which leads to an exclusive security checkpoint that American hopes will have shorter lines than the main security entrance. The terminal also features a Flagship Lounge for first-class passengers as well two Admiral's Clubs. The facilities have internet access, playrooms for children and showers for arriving long-distance passengers.
American is responding to Delta's increase in international service from JFK as well as Continental's growth at its Newark Liberty hub. American will launch a flight from JFK to London Stansted at the end of October in response to the growth of premium carriers Eos and MAXjet, which already fly between Stansted and JFK. American is the only US carrier to link JFK with Heathrow.
American sales chief David Cush hopes that the spacious new facilities at JFK will help bring in more New Yorkers as well. As competition from locally based JetBlue Airways increases, American has been increasing its focus on the New York market, with new advertising directed at New York business travellers. About two-thirds of JFK travellers start or end their flights here in the city, Cush says.
American chief executive Gerard Arpey said at the terminal's late August opening: "We're not going to cede this market to anyone. Our facilities here were pretty horrible, but we had to change. Airlines have come and gone because they can't adapt to changes in the environment."
Source: Airline Business
