Delta has announced plans for two outdoor airport terraces, to be built at at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and New York’s JFK. The new areas will be called the Sky Deck at Delta Sky Club and are the airline’s first-ever outdoor decks. (www.frequentbusinesstraveler.com) More...
About 20 years ago, GVA had an outdoor observation deck open to the public, right next to the terminal. You had to pass a security checkpoint with x-rays for small items (larger ones forbidden) and a magnetometer , all of which was funded by a 1 Swiss franc (roughly $1) entry fee. So these things can done in a secure way.
Management must have a smoker. The outdoor decks are to allow Skyclub members to smoke without standing next to airport workers and the rest of the unwashed.
What a lovely idea, too many airports have no where to be in the fresh air to look at the planes landing and taking off. Lovely to see someone's plane take off or land when you are meeting someone. Lovely trip out for young school children to see the planes, as some never get to travel on one.
White Plains HPN, had one for the public inside their secure zone up until last year. As small an airport as it is was a great place to sit and wait for your flight and unwind after a meeting.
Not at Kennedy. NYC smoking laws. I doubt they would let you smoke that "close" to fueling aircraft. Remember the signs years ago "No Smoking Beyont This Point".
whats the purpose of these skydecks? are they airline passengers to go and relax before or after a flight?..or for waiting family members or friends?..will they be open to "plane spotters"? meaning those hobbyists who like to be near airport to photograph their favorite aircraft? i think the idea is pretty cool..but confused as to who they are intended for...
I miss the days of being able to do that! Good for you Delta! And if an airline can do that, why haven't airports opened that up to its customers? They have created elaborate malls and other facilities.
Ever since 911 airports have been turned into prisons, there needs to be a way that the public can enjoy observation decks again just as I did in my childhood.
The purpose of the "skyclub" is for members of Delta who can relax during long layovers, do work, or for fun etc. These will not be open to plane spotters because i believe its within the security checkpoint parameters.
That is correct for Hartsfield, my home airport. The spot they describe is beyond security checkpoints. Don't know about JFK but probably the same. At ATL, if you want to hang outside and watch some ops while waiting to pick somebody up, you can go to the cell phone lots which are pretty close to a runway and outdoors, of course. Open to the public an time for as long as you wish to hang out there.
When Pan Am was still in business I would love to go up to the Clipper Club at MIA order a beer and take sips at the terrace looking west, man it was one of the most relaxing things one could do waiting for a flight to anywhere.
As a kid living only blocks from Midway we spent a lot of time on the observation deck. Best I remember there was a pay turnstile; which we just hopped over. Lol
This is going to be a hit!.With,travelers.It romanticizes.The jet-age of the 60's.With the Cyber-age of the New Millenium.You can take a break and watch the planes!
Weren't all of them closed due to 9/11. I see where they would have been at airports all the time but the on airport property ones like airside on the old terminal at DCA was closed after 9/11, but the one at gravelly point is still open.
Gravelly Point is National Park Service land and part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway not directly related to the airport itself. This is not to say we are not lucky to have it open.
