Delta JFK T4 Opening – Tons of Pics & Video & My Favorite Things…Especially the Sky Deck

by Adam

Yesterday, was awesome, I had a great time at the Delta JFK T4 opening! The extension (and especially the Sky Club) are beautiful. In fact, I had such fun that I have well over 150 photos and over twenty videos. I also made it a point to sample everything 0ut in the new terminal. As such, I’ll be posting two separate entries on the opening. Here’s post one, which includes my favorite things in the new T4. Post two will include additional pictures and videos of the terminal and of the opening celebbraitons, including meeting and chatting with Richard Branson, Delta CEO – Richard Anderson, and KLM CEO – Peter Hartman (some surprises as to who was friendliest and most interested to hear from a frequent traveler). Part two will also include the  ribbon cutting, DL launch flight 173 to Tokyo, and celebrity guests.

My Favorite Things in T4

1.) Delta’s 24,000-square-foot flagship Delta Sky Club with the first ever Sky Deck outdoor terrace. Simply said, the lounge is “best in class” for US based carriers. We are talking sit-down table service with iPad menus, “to-go” ordering via iPad kiosks, tons of space, shiny new showers, great power and connectivity options at each seat, and workstations with fantastic views. However, my favorite part of the Sky Club had to be the Sky Deck, it’s fantastic, they did an amazing job! I felt like I was on a rooftop in New York City, but with better views (for an aviation enthusiast anyway). Detailed reviews on each of these in part two, but for now here’s a taste of each.

a sign on a wall

a group of people on an escalator

a group of people standing around a counter

a group of red chairs and a table

Look at this power…

a power outlet with usb ports

people sitting in chairs with a television on the wall

a group of people sitting at tables in a large room

a pair of silver framed screens on a white counter

Now, let’s get outside…on the Sky Deck

people standing in a room with a red and white awning

a lounge area with a large window

Richard Branson and Richard Anderson enjoying the Sky Deck…

a group of people standing in a room

a planters with plants in a building

a patio area with chairs and tables

a bar with chairs and a wall with lights

a man standing in a room with a window and a plane in the background

One of the most shocking things for me in the Sky Lounge was the amount of passengers taking advantage of the dining options, and no they weren’t just media types trying out the service. I spoke with several passengers who said the options looked and tasted great and were reasonably priced (see the video below for pricing). There’s sit-down service (yes, with a hostesses and all) as well as iPad kiosk to-go service. The sit-down service includes formal tables with candles, formal silverware and glassware, and waiter service. All ordering is done via iPad menus, though the server is there to provide advice, take non-alcoholic drink orders, and deliver your food. The “to-go” service has the same menu but after ordering you can go sit anywhere (except on the Sky Deck). You’re given a buzzer and the server locates you to deliver your food when it’s ready.

Sit-Down Service…

Ordering food –

Ordering drinks –

a glass of water and a candle on a table

a table with a tablet and napkins on it

a screen shot of a menu

a tablet with a picture of artichokes

a group of people eating at a table

To-Go Service Kiosks…

a group of small screens on a white surface

a small screen with a picture of food on it

Showers…

a group of towels with small bottles of cream and other items on them

a shower with a red wall

OK, believe it or not, this is just a sample of my Sky Club pictures and reviews. More details in post three or see all 178 pictures here.

2)Within the new terminal I really liked:

The power options at each seat, two outlets and four USB ports…

a power outlet on a computer

a group of chairs around a table

There’s also four outlets on the floor…

a round white object on a blue carpet

One cool thing I noted, is that even the renovated Delta gates located in the older part of T4 have the new seating and the same power and USB ports!

Danny Meyer’s Shake Shack & Blue Smoke restaurants as well as a few other upscale choices – La Brea Bakery, Cake Tin, and Uptown Brasserie. If you plan on getting food from Shake Shack, note that the lines early today (when the terminal was still relatively empty) were about ten minutes and then there was an additional ten minute or so wait once you placed your order (all food is freshly made). I can’t imagine what they’ll be on a full schedule day. There were numerous Delta employees and TSA agents at all options, but the Cake Tin had a long liner than Shake Shack with female employees ordering gourmet cupcakes.

a group of people in a room with a display of cupcakes

a group of people standing in front of a bakery

a group of people standing in a line

a hand holding a burger

a group of people standing in front of a bakery

a group of people in a bar

a group of people sitting at tables in a restaurant

…and Hudson News now goes by just Hudson in the T4 extension…

a store with many shelves of products

The terminal widens as soon as you enter the new section and there is clearly better lighting, more space, and newer flooring. Let’s be clear though, the extension is very nice for the US and a great update, but you certainly won’t think you’re at one of the top tier terminals in Asia. You’ve also got quite a walk to the extension, Rep. Joe Crowley from NY joked at the opening “I did need a plane ride to get from the entrance to here today”.

a white floor with blue balloons

a sign on a wall

Who remembers what used to be here?

a group of people in a large hall

Yes, it was that horrible security check-point of course! All gone now and replaced with a renovated Delta gate. The new security area upstairs has a much more efficient design and puts the Swiss and Oasis Lounge behind security… a huge improvement!

a group of people walking in a large hall

The old walkway to the lounges, now completely secured…

a walkway with a railing in a building

I also really liked the Sky Priority check-in area…

a red sign in an airport

a group of people standing in a line

people in a terminal

people standing at a counter in a airport

a group of people in a line at an airport

…and then a sad scene, the Pan Am Worldport (Terminal 3) sits quiet and empty while removal of the Delta sign has already begun…

a large building with a roof

a runway with a building in the background

a runway with a large building and a large building

Posts two and three on the way or see all 178 pictures in the meantime here.

Up next, pictures and videos of the best parts of attending the opening, including meeting and chatting with Richard Branson, Delta CEO – Richard Anderson & KLM CEO – Peter Hartman, opening festivities, official ribbon cutting, DL launch flight 173 to Tokyo, and celebrity guests.

a group of people standing in a hallway

a man with a beard and mustache

a group of men standing in a hallway…they are tall!

a man in suit and tie with a smiley face

Check out part two of the T4x review here.

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25 comments

The Weekly Flyer May 25, 2013 - 10:49 am

Nice pictures!

Reply
Bill G May 25, 2013 - 11:16 am

Did the new Sky Club have the same complimentary undrinkable swill as all the other Sky Clubs or was there no complimentary food and beverage at all?

Reply
adam May 25, 2013 - 11:18 am

@Bill G – Same carrots, celery, olives, cookies, cheese, and crackers. Also, same complimentary beverages.

Reply
Delta Points May 25, 2013 - 11:38 am

What a great post (you seem so happy in the photo’s!) 🙂

Reply
adam May 25, 2013 - 11:51 am

@Delta Points – Hahah, big smiles all around!!!

Reply
myairplance May 25, 2013 - 8:45 pm

Is smoking permitted on the Skydeck?

Reply
Wanderingentrepreneur May 26, 2013 - 9:33 am

I don’t think that smoking is permitted because of its proximity to the Tarmac and to the terminal doors. NYC smoking rules…

Reply
hiSathish May 26, 2013 - 10:59 am

Nice post and pic’s. thank you for sharing.

Reply
NYBanker May 26, 2013 - 11:59 am

Unlawful to even think about smoking out there! 😉

Nice post.

Reply
Mike S. May 26, 2013 - 2:23 pm

Are domestic or international routes (or both) served out of this new terminal ?

Reply
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Ralfinho May 27, 2013 - 4:50 am

Nice report and pictures. Thanks!
Can’t wait to see it in about five weeks.
One question, though, regarding the showers. On that one picture I only see shampoo and conditioner. Now shower gel? Just a soap bar nobody uses anymore since when?
Anyway, everything looks great!

Reply
adam May 27, 2013 - 10:02 pm

@Ralfinho – Thanks! Yes, unfortunately there was no shower gel, just bar soap. Enjoy your trip over and your time in the Sky Club and make sure you get out on the Sky Deck!

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Shannon December 23, 2013 - 9:51 pm

OMG! Adam, are you like only 5’5″?

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adam December 24, 2013 - 7:33 am

@Shannon – LOL, why do you say that? 5’10” Ohh…yes Richard and the KLM CEO are really tall…not that I’m short!

Reply
Shannon December 24, 2013 - 12:46 pm

Those three men must be very tall like at least 6’3″ for sure as you did look like small by them. Sorry about my comment before that but 5’10” still very acceptable…you are still my fantasy LOL But what’s on earth to mosaic you face? Your pictures are all over the internet…

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