Sundrome
Encyclopedia
The Sundrome was the name for the terminal of National Airlines
at John F. Kennedy International Airport
. It was designed by I. M. Pei
& Partners (now Pei Cobb Freed & Partners
). Opened in 1970, it is now known as Terminal 6. It has been occupied at various times by Trans World Airlines
(domestic flights), Pan American World Airways
, United Air Lines (domestic flights), Pan American Airways (1996-1998)
, Carnival Airlines and Vanguard Airlines
.
I.M.Pei, in his design of the Sundrome, used all-glass mullion
s, unprecedented at the time.
Most recently, from 1998-2008, Terminal 6 was the home of JetBlue Airways
. It became vacant on October 22, 2008, when JetBlue moved to Terminal 5.
On April 29, 2010, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
announced that Terminal 6 will be demolished to allow JetBlue to consolidate its operations at an expanded Terminal 5.
Despite an effort by preservationists to protect the building,
demolition of the terminal is underway.
For current description and operation, see John F. Kennedy International Airport
.
National Airlines (NA)
National Airlines was an airline founded in 1934 and was headquartered on the grounds of Miami International Airport in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States near Miami.- History :...
at John F. Kennedy International Airport
John F. Kennedy International Airport
John F. Kennedy International Airport is an international airport located in the borough of Queens in New York City, about southeast of Lower Manhattan. It is the busiest international air passenger gateway to the United States, handling more international traffic than any other airport in North...
. It was designed by I. M. Pei
I. M. Pei
Ieoh Ming Pei , commonly known as I. M. Pei, is a Chinese American architect, often called a master of modern architecture. Born in Canton, China and raised in Hong Kong and Shanghai, Pei drew inspiration at an early age from the gardens at Suzhou...
& Partners (now Pei Cobb Freed & Partners
Pei Cobb Freed & Partners
Pei Cobb Freed & Partners is an architectural firm that was founded in 1955 by I. M. Pei as I. M. Pei & Associates, in 1966 called I. M. Pei & Partners, and received its current name and organization in 1989. The founders were I. M. Pei, Henry N. Cobb, and Eason H. Leonard. Pei and Leonard retired...
). Opened in 1970, it is now known as Terminal 6. It has been occupied at various times by Trans World Airlines
Trans World Airlines
Trans World Airlines was an American airline that existed from 1925 until it was bought out by and merged with American Airlines in 2001. It was a major domestic airline in the United States and the main U.S.-based competitor of Pan American World Airways on intercontinental routes from 1946...
(domestic flights), Pan American World Airways
Pan American World Airways
Pan American World Airways, commonly known as Pan Am, was the principal and largest international air carrier in the United States from 1927 until its collapse on December 4, 1991...
, United Air Lines (domestic flights), Pan American Airways (1996-1998)
Pan American Airways (1996-1998)
Pan American Airways was founded in 1996 after an investment group including Charles Cobb, the former Ambassador to Iceland, purchased the rights to the venerable Pan American brand after the original carrier declared bankruptcy...
, Carnival Airlines and Vanguard Airlines
Vanguard Airlines
Vanguard Airlines was an airline based out of Kansas City, Missouri. For a time, Vanguard also had significant operations at Chicago Midway International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, until late 2000. It ceased operations on July 29, 2002, after filing for bankruptcy...
.
I.M.Pei, in his design of the Sundrome, used all-glass mullion
Mullion
A mullion is a vertical structural element which divides adjacent window units. The primary purpose of the mullion is as a structural support to an arch or lintel above the window opening. Its secondary purpose may be as a rigid support to the glazing of the window...
s, unprecedented at the time.
Most recently, from 1998-2008, Terminal 6 was the home of JetBlue Airways
JetBlue Airways
JetBlue Airways Corporation is an American low-cost airline. The company is headquartered in the Forest Hills neighborhood of the New York City borough of Queens. Its main base is John F. Kennedy International Airport, also in Queens....
. It became vacant on October 22, 2008, when JetBlue moved to Terminal 5.
On April 29, 2010, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is a bi-state port district, established in 1921 through an interstate compact, that runs most of the regional transportation infrastructure, including the bridges, tunnels, airports, and seaports, within the Port of New York and New Jersey...
announced that Terminal 6 will be demolished to allow JetBlue to consolidate its operations at an expanded Terminal 5.
Despite an effort by preservationists to protect the building,
demolition of the terminal is underway.
For current description and operation, see John F. Kennedy International Airport
John F. Kennedy International Airport
John F. Kennedy International Airport is an international airport located in the borough of Queens in New York City, about southeast of Lower Manhattan. It is the busiest international air passenger gateway to the United States, handling more international traffic than any other airport in North...
.
External links
- New York Architectural Advocacy Group DoCoMoMo's History of Sundrome, Summer, 2003
- Pei Cobb Freed photos of early terminal
- Sundrome Interior Ticket Counter
- Interior Terminal Area
- Sundrome Flight Info Display
- Discussion of TWA and National Terminals
- National Airlines Timeline
- National Airlines Sundowner former flight attendant website, with zippy "Watch us Shine" ad jingle
- Full "Watch us shine" radio-tv jingle