Delta ups the ante in battle for lucrative travel market
NEW YORK: Delta Air Lines opened a $1.4-billion terminal at Kennedy Airport on Friday, strengthening its hand in the battle for the lucrative New York travel market.
The expanded concourse offers sweeping views of the airport, upscale food and shopping options and increased seating.
The facility was also celebrated on Friday for what it replaces: a decrepit terminal built by Pan Am in 1960 that was an embarrassing way to welcome millions of visitors to the United States.
Kennedy Airport is still the primary gateway to the US. It saw 13.1 million inbound international passengers last year, more than any other American airport, according to US Customs and Border Protection. Miami International Airport was the next closest at 9.8 million, followed by Los Angeles International Airport at 8.3 million.
Delta carries about 2.1 million of those arriving international passengers at JFK, more than any other carrier, according to the airport’s operator, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Delta CEO Richard Anderson said his customers ‘‘and the residents of New York now have the international hub facility that they expect and deserve.’’
Travellers will appreciate both the big and small touches in the new facility. The 32,144-square-metre concourse houses local restaurant favourites like Blue Smoke and Shake Shack. Meanwhile, 75% of seats at the gates have access to electric outlets.
The expansion added nine new gates at the terminal. Construction is expected to soon begin on 11 additional gates for Delta’s smaller regional jets.
New York is one of the few big cities in the US not dominated by one airline. Carriers fight viciously to win the business of bankers, lawyers and consultants based in the city whose companies pay top dollar for last-minute flights.
United Airlines, which primarily flies out of Newark Liberty International Airport — across the Hudson River in New Jersey — is the region’s largest carrier, flying 27.4 million passengers in the 12 months ending in March.
But thanks to a swap of landing slots at LaGuardia Airport with US Airways, Delta is now a close second, with 23 million passengers annually in New York. JetBlue follows with 14.6 million and then comes American Airlines with 13.9 million.