Author: Metropolitan Airport News

Produced by a team of aviation professionals and enthusiasts, our mission is to inform and update the more than 68,000 employees who work on the metropolitan New York airport properties, as well as the many others that provide goods and services in the surrounding communities.

Qatar Airways Boeing 777 in FIFA Special Livery.

Qatar Airways Unveils FIFA Special Livery

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Qatar Airways has officially unveiled its FIFA special livery aircraft on a Boeing 777 ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, celebrating the airline’s longstanding partnership with FIFA and its continued role in connecting fans, teams, and global football communities worldwide. Building on the legacy of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the new livery reflects the next chapter in Qatar Airways’ journey with FIFA as the Official Airline Partner of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The special livery aircraft will operate across key destinations in Europe, the United States and Asia, engaging fans around the world as excitement continues…

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ANA Pokemon Boeing 787

ANA and The Pokémon Company Unveil New Aircraft Designs

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All Nippon Airways (ANA) and The Pokémon Company today unveiled the aircraft designs for “Pokémon Jet Red” and “Pokémon Jet Green,” the first two aircraft in a special three-plane collaboration celebrating Pokémon’s 30th anniversary. “Pokémon Jet Red” will operate on domestic routes in Japan and is scheduled to enter service at the end of July 2026. The design features Pikachu alongside fire-type Pokémon that players choose as their first partner at the beginning of their adventures. “Pokémon Jet Green” will serve international routes, with its launch date to be announced at a later time. Its design features Pikachu alongside grass-type…

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Quisqueya la Bluebella

JetBlue Celebrates Dominican Pride with ‘Quisqueya la Bluebella’ Aircraft Livery

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JetBlue has unveiled Quisqueya la Bluebella at Santo Domingo’s Las Américas International Airport (SDQ), a vibrant new aircraft livery celebrating Dominican pride and a major milestone for the airline. The newly designed Airbus A320 honors the country’s rich culture and JetBlue’s deep connection to the Dominican community. Created by Dominican artist Willy Gómez, the design was chosen by the public earlier this year. The name Quisqueya la Bluebella is a playful nod to the beloved patriotic phrase “Quisqueya la Bella,” reimagined with JetBlue’s signature flair. The design was introduced during a celebratory event in Santo Domingo, where customers, community members, local leaders, and JetBlue crewmembers…

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JFKIAT T4 25 Years Celebration

Terminal 4 at JFK International Airport Marks 25 Years of Successful Public-Private Partnership

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The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey and JFKIAT, the operator of Terminal 4 (T4) at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), are this month celebrating the 25th anniversary of the nation’s first airport terminal to be operated by a non-airline, public-private partnership. An anniversary reception was held at the TWA Hotel on the evening of May 20th to mark the celebration. Introduced by Roel Huinink, Chief Executive Officer of JFKIAT, the event featured guests enjoying drinks and a variety of delectable ‘Taste of JFK T4’ culinary offerings in the hotel’s Landmark Hall and The Constellation Ballroom. Meanwhile,…

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2026 ACF-Cup

May 2026 Publisher’s Message

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Welcome to the May 2026 issue of Metropolitan Airport News. This month, we are featuring the incredible public transit network in NYC’s largest borough, Queens. So many rely on public transportation throughout NYC. We require a safe and reliable system to get people to where they need to go for work, school, recreation, and everyday life. While some parts of the system are aging and being reimagined and redesigned, others are humming along and doing just great. It’s worth mentioning that Small Business Week is in May, and what fuels small businesses is people! People utilize the goods and services of the local…

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Maureen and Jonathan Katz are regular contributors to Metropolitan Airport News and the Non-Rev Traveler.

Maureen & Jonathan Katz

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Since 2019, Jonathan and Maureen have been a steady presence in aviation journalism, contributing their unique insights to Metropolitan Airport News authors of our Non-Rev Traveler section. As seasoned travel writers, they have spent the last several years documenting the nuances of the “Non-Rev” lifestyle and the intricacies of global air travel. Their Journey and Expertise With over 40 years of experience navigating the skies, Jonathan and Maureen offer a perspective that few can match. Their writing focuses on the practical and the personal, bridging the gap between airline industry insiders and the general traveling public. Since joining Metropolitan Airport…

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SSP America, a division of SSP Group, a leading operator of food and beverage brands in travel locations worldwide, together with JFKIAT, the operator of Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, today announced the reopening of the refreshed Five Borough Food Hall, SSP America’s proprietary New York-inspired food hall concept at JFK Terminal 4. The reopening was celebrated with a ribbon cutting at Terminal 4 on May 21, bringing together representatives from JFKIAT, SSP America, For Five Coffee Roasters, joint venture partners, airport leaders, and the teams behind the refreshed dining experience. Since its debut, Five Borough Food Hall has been recognized as one of SSP America’s signature proprietary concepts, earning AXN’s Best New Concept award in 2018 and FAB Awards’ Airport Street Food Offer of the Year in 2018. Originally created by SSP America in partnership with JFKIAT, Five Borough Food Hall has been reimagined for today’s traveler while preserving the energy, variety, and unmistakable New York spirit that made the concept a standout at Terminal 4. The refreshed food hall brings together a broad all-day lineup including For Five Coffee Roasters, Dromos Fresh Greek Food, Mango Taco Truck, Five Borough Food Hall Deli, and 5BFH Pizza, offering travelers everything from locally roasted coffee and pastries to Greek-inspired bowls, tacos, burritos, New York deli sandwiches, pizza, salads, and grab-and-go items. As the international terminal of JFK, Terminal 4 is where America greets the world — and where Big City dining starts before the journey begins. Today, Terminal 4 spans more than two million square feet, serves more than 27 million passengers annually, houses 21 airlines, and supports a community of 12,000 employees. In a terminal defined by movement, diversity, and global connection, Five Borough Food Hall offers a dining experience designed to meet the moment: fast when travelers need speed, varied when they want choice, and unmistakably rooted in New York. The refreshed design moves the original concept forward from its food-truck hall roots into a modern New York neighborhood market. Warm wood details, brick textures, mural-wrapped columns, subway-inspired tile, bold menu graphics, branded refrigerated cases, and open service counters create a layered sense of place that nods to the streets, storefronts, delis, slice shops, coffee counters, and global flavors found across the five boroughs. “Five Borough Food Hall has always captured what makes New York such an extraordinary food city: its pace, diversity, and creativity,” said George Mboya, CEO of SSP America. “This refresh marks an exciting new chapter for a concept created specifically for JFK Terminal 4 and a key part of our partnership with JFKIAT. Together, we’re continuing to deliver authentic dining experiences that reflect the city outside the terminal and bring the best part of the journey to life for our travelers.” “Marking the reopening of Five Borough Food Hall at JFK T4 is a significant milestone as we continue to elevate the terminal experience for our passengers,” said Roel Huinink, Chief Executive Officer of JFKIAT. “Thanks to our long-lasting partnership with SSP America, who have been instrumental throughout our 25-year journey, passengers at T4 will have access to a curated selection of exceptional culinary options, offering a New York sense of place that aligns with the Port Authority’s vision for JFK. The addition of For Five Coffee Roasters exemplifies that vision, and we’re very pleased that this local Queens-based business will have the opportunity to enter the airport concessions space for the first time with the benefit of SSP’s global expertise and mentorship.” A key part of the refreshed offer is the addition of For Five Coffee Roasters, the Queens-born specialty coffee company known for small-batch roasting, premium beans, and cafés designed around craft, hospitality, and New York energy. Its Five Borough Food Hall menu includes hot and iced espresso drinks, cold brew, matcha, chai, pastries, and signature beverages including The Five and The Louie. "Opening our first airport location at JFK is a milestone that feels especially meaningful because it brings us back to where our story began — Queens,” said Stefanos Vouvoudakis, Co-Founder and CEO of For Five Coffee Roasters. “For Five was built to redefine what coffee hospitality could look like — combining elevated design, exceptional product, and a level of service that delivers a luxury experience within an everyday ritual. To now bring that vision to one of the world’s most iconic gateways is an exciting milestone for our team and our brand. Through our partnership with SSP America and JFKIAT, we’re proud to introduce travelers from around the world to a New York-born coffee experience rooted in craftsmanship, hospitality, and the energy that defines this city.” The refreshed Five Borough Food Hall also supports the operational realities of one of North America’s busiest international terminals. Multiple counters, clear menu identities, strong visual cues, grab-and-go merchandising, and a broad range of meal solutions help serve different passenger needs across the day — from early morning coffee and breakfast to lunch, dinner, snacks, and meals to take to the gate. The reopening comes as JFK Terminal 4 celebrates its 25th anniversary, marking a milestone year for one of the most significant public-private aviation partnerships in the United States. SSP America’s presence at Terminal 4 is part of a longstanding relationship with JFKIAT, built around a shared commitment to delivering a food and beverage program that matches the caliber, complexity, and international character of the terminal. SSP America and JFKIAT Celebrate the Next New Chapter of Five Borough Food Hall at JFK Terminal 4

SSP America and JFKIAT Celebrate the Next Chapter of Five Borough Food Hall at Terminal 4

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SSP America, a division of SSP Group, a leading operator of food and beverage brands in travel locations worldwide, together with JFKIAT, the operator of Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, today announced the reopening of the refreshed Five Borough Food Hall, SSP America’s proprietary New York-inspired food hall concept at JFK Terminal 4. The reopening was celebrated with a ribbon cutting at Terminal 4 on May 21, bringing together representatives from JFKIAT, SSP America, For Five Coffee Roasters, joint venture partners, airport leaders, and the teams behind the refreshed dining experience. Since its debut, Five Borough Food Hall has…

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PKS Kosher Market Food

PHL Becomes First U.S. Airport to Open Fully Dedicated Kosher and Halal Grab-and-Go Market

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Philadelphia International Airport has introduced the first-ever dining option in a U.S. airport fully dedicated to certified kosher and halal items, with the debut of PKS Kosher Market in Terminal A-West. The opening of PKS Kosher Market marks a national milestone, serving exclusively kosher-certified products — delivering a complete, reliable dining experience while meeting a longstanding passenger need for trusted dining options while traveling. The market-style grab-and-go concept features fresh meals, quick bites and beverages designed to meet the needs of PHL’s diverse traveling public — including both kosher- and halal-observant passengers and those simply seeking delicious, high-quality options. Menu highlights include grilled chicken Caesar wraps, falafel wraps and…

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JetBlue Blueprint II’ Airbus A220

JetBlue Debuts ‘Blueprint II’ On An Airbus A220

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JetBlue has begun scheduled flying on ‘Blueprint II,’ a reimagined take on one of the airline’s most beloved special liveries, now featured on a brand-new Airbus A220. First introduced in 2017 on an Embraer E190, the original Blueprint livery became an instant standout across JetBlue’s fleet for its imaginative “see-through” design, which blended illustrations of everyday travel items with the aircraft’s mechanical structure. Inspired by stories from crewmembers and customers alike, the design featured everything from slices of pizza to potted plants, capturing the joy, personality and memorable moments that define travel in a distinctly JetBlue way. Retired in 2024…

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LaGuardia Gateway Partners (LGP) honor Monica Villamar and Michael Hudnall at quarterly B-Celebrated employee recognition award ceremony

LGP Honors Monica Villamar and Michael Hudnall at Quarterly B-Celebrated Employee Recognition Awards

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LaGuardia Gateway Partners (LGP) honored Monica Villamar, Facilities, ABM Industries and Michael Hudnall, Chief Engineer, JCM Business Solutions at LaGuardia Terminal B’s quarterly B-Celebrated employee recognition award ceremony, hosted by LGP CEO Suzette Noble. Monica and Michael were nominated by their colleagues for going above and beyond in delivering an exceptional experience at Terminal B.

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