NEW YORK , May 21 /PRNewswire/ -- British Airways today announced that it
will undertake a
The project, scheduled to begin in June 2008 , 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.In addition, the redeveloped building will be the first of its kind at JFK International Airport to pursue Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. For example, aspects of the design will better utilize natural daylight.
"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, said Robin Hayes , British Airways' Executive Vice President Americas. "No other airline at JFK will come close to the standard and quality of what we intend to offer our customers. The new enhancements will place British Airways in the most enviable position to provide the best possible premium ground experience at JFK International Airport."
"The new premium pavilion will be totally unique at JFK, and we expect it will be very much appreciated by those premium customers who enjoy extra special handling and red-carpet treatment. British Airways customer service staff working in the new pavilion will be a part of the new premium team that will treat each customer as a special guest to deliver a consistent and upgraded guest experience.
"Our premium customers in the new premium pavilion also will have the opportunity to take advantage of 'Quintessentially,' the luxury lifestyle group that specializes in fulfilling extra-special needs or services -- hotels, clubs, spas, restaurants -- anytime, anywhere in the world, however extraordinary or difficult they may be.
"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.
"This project highlights our sustained loyalty and unprecedented commitment to New York City as well as the promise of additional investment and new jobs over the next 18 months."
While major construction will commence shortly and take approximately 18 months to complete, a variety of renovations from the retail, to restaurant and Club World spa areas have now been completed.
Terminal Seven's newest restaurant, Todd English's Bonfire, has just opened and offers a full service range of food and beverages for those customers desiring a wide variety of culinary options in a sit-down restaurant experience.
Elemis, the creator and manufacturer of spa-therapies and beauty products for men and women, operates a spa in British Airways' Club World Lounge and provides facials, messages and other health and beauty treatments free of charge to the airline's business and first class customers.
British Airways is one the world's largest international airlines, carrying approximately 36 million customers to over 146 destinations around the world. The airline currently operates eight daily flights between JFK and London plus a daily flight between JFK and Manchester . Additionally, British Airways operates three daily roundtrip flights between Newark and London Heathrow.
SOURCE British Airways
