Walkthrough & interior of (*soon to be demolished*) JFK airport Terminal 7 BOAC terminal! Jul/3/2024

Terminal 7 at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is a unique piece of aviation history. For over 50 years, it stood as the only terminal at a major U.S. airport to be owned and operated by a foreign airline.
Here is the complete history of Terminal 7, from its "British" beginnings to its upcoming demolition.
1. The Origins (1960s – 1970)
In the mid-1960s, the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC)—the predecessor to British Airways—was growing rapidly. They wanted their own dedicated space at JFK to handle the massive influx of trans-Atlantic travelers.
Design: BOAC commissioned the London-based firm Gollins, Melvin, Ward & Partners (GMW). The terminal was designed in a Brutalist architectural style, characterized by its sharp lines and heavy use of concrete.
The Opening: The terminal officially opened for traffic on June 30, 1970. It cost approximately $56 million to build (roughly triple its original budget).
Royal Dedication: On September 24, 1970, Princess Alexandra (cousin to Queen Elizabeth II) officially dedicated the building.
Original Tenants: It was shared between BOAC and Air Canada, which remained a tenant for decades.
2. The Golden Era & The Concorde (1970s – 2003)
The terminal became synonymous with British luxury and the "Jet Set" lifestyle.
Birth of British Airways: In 1974, BOAC merged with British European Airways to form British Airways (BA). Terminal 7 became BA’s flagship "home away from home."
The Concorde Years: In November 1977, Terminal 7 became the legendary New York hub for the supersonic Concorde.
Gate 1 was specifically designed to handle the Concorde’s unique requirements.
It featured the world-famous Concorde Room, an ultra-exclusive lounge where celebrities and world leaders waited for their 3.5-hour flight to London.
Upgrades: Throughout the 90s and early 2000s, BA invested millions in renovations, including a major $250 million expansion completed in 2003 to modernize the check-in areas and lounges.
3. The Recent Years (2010s – 2022)
As the aviation industry changed, the "boutique" nature of Terminal 7 became a double-edged sword. It was small and easy to navigate, but its aging infrastructure couldn't keep up with modern mega-terminals.
The Oneworld Hub: For years, BA shared the terminal with partners like Iberia, Qantas, and Cathay Pacific, as well as other carriers like Icelandair and Alaska Airlines.
End of BA Ownership: As part of a massive $19 billion overhaul of JFK, British Airways agreed to vacate the terminal. In December 2022, BA officially moved its operations to Terminal 8, joining its partner American Airlines in a "co-located" hub.
4. The Future: Terminal 6 and Demolition
Terminal 7 is currently in its final chapter.
Management Change: In 2022, JFK Millennium Partners (a consortium including JetBlue) took over management of the terminal. It now serves as a temporary home for several airlines (like Aer Lingus, LOT Polish, and Kuwait Airways) while the rest of the airport is rebuilt.
The Replacement: Terminal 7 is scheduled for demolition in 2026.
Terminal 6: It will be replaced by the new $4.2 billion Terminal 6. This new facility will span the footprint of both the old (now demolished) Terminal 6 and the current Terminal 7.
What to Expect: The new Terminal 6 will be a 1.2 million-square-foot "boutique" terminal with 10 gates, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a seamless connection to JetBlue’s Terminal 5.
Summary Table
| Era | Major Event |
|---|---|
| 1970 | Opened as the BOAC Terminal. |
| 1977 | First Concorde flight arrives at Gate 1. |
| 2003 | Final Concorde flight; major terminal renovation completed. |
| 2022 | British Airways moves out to Terminal 8. |
| 2026 | Scheduled demolition to make way for the new Terminal 6. |
| 2028 | Completion of the new Terminal 6 complex.
but however this video here was filmed on july 3rd 2024 9:56PM from the security aerea to the perhaps westside gates Gates! and the flight was on norse Atlantic to JFK-OSL!!! this here is and shall be a glimpse of a historic JfK airport terminal!