In August 2024, a layover at New York City’s John F. Kennedy International (JFK) presented the opportunity to treat myself to an encore tour of the restored TWA Flight Center at JFK Terminal 5.

Created for Trans World Airlines (TWA) by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen, the Flight Center was designed in the late 1950s, opened in 1962, and served as TWA’s JFK terminal until 2001 when it was closed following TWA’s bankruptcy and liquidation. For more almost 16 years the Flight Center sat abandoned and at risk of demolition.

Then a bold plan was devised to restore and convert it into a hotel by keeping the Flight Center and adding wings on both sides to accommodate hotel rooms. In 2019, Saarinen’s futuristic architectural masterpiece reopened as TWA Hotel. My post about TWA Hotel reviewed my stay in 2023.

This post pays a pictorial tribute to the beauty of the Flight Center’s function and design. , and the way it transports lovers of aviation, architecture and history back to the Golden Age of Commercial Air Travel.

20240726_172005
I think Saarinen was influenced by 1950s Japanese science fiction movies because the Flight Center brings to mind some kind of flying kaiju.
20240726_170904
Original Solari split-flap flight board

 

20240726_171830
The former TWA check-in area now serves as the hotel check-in area.

 

20240726_170856
Sunken Lounge

20240726_16544720240726_165728

20240726_170721
Upper level lounge
20240726_170347
One of two original Flight Tubes that now connect the Flight Center to Terminal 5.

The Star of America, a restored TWA Lockheed Constellation is the finishing touch.  It serves as a magnet for aviation enthusiasts of all ages and a bar affectionately referred to as Connie Cocktail Lounge.

20240726_165442
Star of America

20240726_171506

20230822_220401
Connie Cocktail Lounge

Visitors will appreciate the efforts of The New York Historical Society in curating several exhibits depicting various aspects of of Golden Age of Commercial Air Travel. One exhibit reproduces the office of TWA’s owner, the eccentric billionaire, pilot and aviation pioneer, Howard Hughes.

20240726_170131

WhatsApp Image 2024-09-07 at 14.12.54_9e8d40b6

Overlooking the Flight Center’s entrance, the Paris Café under the supervision of Michelin-stared chef Jean-Georges occupies the footprint of the original Paris Café and Lisbon Lounge.

WhatsApp Image 2024-09-07 at 14.16.06_1a999f4320240726_170949

Conclusion

The Flight Center is beautiful, to say the least. Thank goodness incorporating it into a hotel allows such remarkable beauty to be displayed and preserved. The Flight Center gives me the unusual feeling of traveling backward and forward in time at the same time.

If you have an interest in aviation or history and have a few minutes to spare at JFK, check out the restored TWA Flight Center. It is just a three-minute walk from the JFK Terminal 5 Skytrain stop.