JetBlue Airways Airport Terminal

Project Team

Structural Engineer: Ammann & Whitney
Owner: jetBlue Airways
Architect: Gensler
General Contractor: Turner
Steel Joist Manufacturer: Canam and NJB
Steel Detailer: Innovative detailing
Steel Fabricator: Vulcraft
Steel Erector: Falcon Steel

Project Type: Non-Industrial

Project Description

Steel Joists were used in the jetBlue airport terminal at JFK AirportjetBlue Airways sought to consolodate their operations at JFK International Airport into a new terminal specifically designed to meet their unique operational needs. With an expected annual passenger loading of 20 million, this terminal has a capacity that exceeds that of many medium to large size airports.

What Makes This Project Interesting

The project was completed on a fasttrack basis using multiple packaging. The entire design to opening process was completed in a little over 4 years (start of design March 2004, first passengers, October 2008). In additon to speed of construction, the terminal design had to carefully respect the landmarked Eero Saarinen TWA terminal and incorporate some of its historic elements.

Advantages Of The Chosen Structural System

Joist framing for the roof structures allowed the designers to design a maximum performance framing system with absolute minimum weight and cost. Open web joists and joist girders were used through-out with moment connections allowing these elements to be used in some locations as a part of the lateral load resisting system. Large (up to 80,000 pound) air handling units are supported on roof structures using paired open web joists. In the main ticketing hall the repetitive use of a single profile open web joist allowed the architect to express the structural system as an architectural element.

Project Scope

The project provided a complete unit airline terminal with 28 gates and 465,000 total square feet of area.

Project Details

Project Construction Cost: 750 million
Joist cost, including fabrication and erection: 783,000
Size (square ft.): 465,000
Roof area using joists (square ft.): 350,000
Joist area (square ft.): 350,000

Return to Projects