The Former TWA Flight Center at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, which has been closed since 2001, is now open for business as wonderful mid-century modern Hotel.
TWA Flight Center
Designed by famed Finnish-American Architect Eero Saarinen, the TWA Flight Center opened in 1962 at New York’s Idlewild (Now John F. Kennedy International Airport) airport in Jamaica, Queens. The terminal saw its last passengers in 2001 after TWA’s bankruptcy and acquisition by American Airlines. The good news is that New Yorkers learned their lesson after the destruction of the iconic Penn Station Terminal in the early 1960’s by establishing the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. After years of planning, in 2016 the MCR/Morse Development company broke ground at the TWA Flight Center, a project that would see the complete restoration of the original terminal building and the addition of a 512-room hotel with meeting and event space.
TWA Hotel
In May 2019, the sold-out hotel opened with great fanfare as the only on-site hotel at JFK. According to the TWA Hotel website, the guest rooms offer views of JFK’s runways and the original flight center. The complex includes 50,000 square feet of meeting and event space, a rooftop infinity pool, bar and observation deck and a 10,000 square foot gym. Most importantly for airline enthusiasts, the hotel includes thousands of artifacts from the golden days of air travel including a restored Lockheed Constellation (1649-A) in period TWA livery. MCR/Morse also partnered with the New York Historical Society which curated the hotel’s museum exhibits.
TWA Hotel Overrun by Plane Spotters
Becoming “too popular” is likely considered a dream by most business owners, but when your pool, bar and observation deck become crowded with “plane spotters” in addition to hotel guests, the situation can become untenable. Late last July the TWA Hotel instituted a policy designed to reduce the number of observation deck sight-seers. Once free, now non-hotel guests can visit the pool and observation deck for $25 on weekdays and $50 on weekends. Unless you are under two years old or a hotel guest, you will have to pay up to experience the view. Naturally, hotel guests are admitted free and receive a free pass for one additional guest. While the observation deck is available to hotel guests from 7:00AM-11:00PM, non-guests are welcome after 11:00AM. Reservations are accepted for meals at the pool bar for non-guests, but there is a $50 minimum tab per person (up to 6), not including tax and a 20% gratuity. If you are traveling as a group, it probably makes sense to stay at the hotel for a night or two, just to enjoy the amenities.
The repurposing of an iconic American landmark designed by Eero Saarinen, who also designed the St. Louis Gateway Arch and many other iconic structures, can only be described as a historical triumph. The preservation of TWA history is equally important and along with the TWA Museum, located in Kansas City Missouri, the TWA Hotel will serve as a reminder of one of America’s great 20th century trunk carriers. In a country with a history of less than 250 years, we can’t afford to squander any part of our heritage.
Source: TWA Hotel
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