New York upgrade sees JetBlue offer more Big Apple bites

Getting a bite in the Big Apple is set to become even tastier for JetBlue customers thanks to the airline’s first restaurant upgrade at its home T5 terminal at New York's JFK International Airport. The budget carrier announced plans to add seven new restaurants in the first major upgrade to the T5 concession program since moving into the bespoke terminal in 2008. Also poised to benefit are passengers on partner airlines Aer Lingus, Hawaiian Airlines and TAP Portugal. JetBlue’s  “recipe for success” at T5 includes niche stores and restaurants that offer a taste of the carrier’s hometown all got their start in New York City. READ: Virgin Atlantic opens up Brazil with GOL codeshare. Construction will take place this over the US fall and will see JetBlue welcome Melt Shop, Otto’s Tacos, Ovenly and Shake Shack. Also on the menu: T5 Chef’s Kitchen which will include to-go offerings from KorillaBBQ, The Little Beet and Lil’ Sweet Chick. “We take our position as New York’s Hometown Airline seriously,” said JetBlue product development director Mariya Stoyanova. “Rather than the typical chains, we offer customers traveling through T5 a real and delicious taste of New York from places that real New Yorkers frequent. “ Besides wanting to showcase all that our birthplace has to offer, we remember being a New York start-up and are always looking to give back to the community that’s supported us from the very beginning.” The new restaurants join existing offerings 5ivesteak, Artichoke Pizza, Deep Blue Sushi and Piquillo. Other outlets offering a flavor of New York include Baked by Melissa, bar Veloce, Dylan’s candy bar and New York Minute. JetBlue says it designed its T5 terminal from scratch to give customers “an amazing ground experience”. It allows passengers to surf the Web for free and offers more than 30 restaurants and food outlets as well as more than 20 retailers. The terminal was designed to complement the historic Eero Saarinen building (now the TWA Hotel) and hosts all JetBlue flights as well as those of its partners.