The Observation Deck Phenomenon
When airports first opened in the US, flying was
glamorous. Locals flocked to the
airports to witness the miracle of flight, and with less stringent security,
just about anyone could show up and do just that. Thus, the observation deck became a staple of
the twentieth-century airport, and airports were as much an attraction as they
were a transit zone.
According to a New York Times article, back when JFK airport
was still known as Idlewild and photos were still taken in black and white,
roughly 3,500 youngsters would gather each week to watch the take off and
landings from this elevated vantage point.
However, the viewing platform at LaGuardia was perhaps even
more popular, especially given that it opened nearly a decade before that of
JFK. North Beach Airport, as LaGuardia
was often referred to, opened in 1939, making it one of New York City’s first
commercial airports and quite the novelty.
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| View of LaGuardia's popular observation deck, known as the SkyWalk. (Photo: Port Authority of NY & NJ) |
Airport officials installed turnstiles and charged each
visitor a
¢5 entry fee to enter its SkyWalk,
turning the deck into a source of profit.
Furthermore, this viewing platform was also equipped with a stand
selling drinks and refreshments to visitors, known as SkyBar. So as you can probably imagine, this outdoor
area turned into quite the social scene attracting many a New Yorker.
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| A lady places an order at LaGuardia's SkyBar, located on its SkyWalk. Photo: The Port Authority of NY & NJ |
Although it developed as a
commercial airport later, Newark Liberty was also home to an observation deck, where
spectators were welcome to sit and watch the action taking place on the runways
before them. This viewing station ran
for 500 feet along the mezzanine deck in the old North Terminal.
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| The Observation Deck at Newark's old North Terminal located above the ticket booths. Photo: Aviation Hall of Fame of New Jersey |
Unlike the decks at the other
airports, this one was not outside in the open-air. However, the gallery was unique in that it
was located above the ticket booths and as such, provided visitors with an
elevated, sprawling view of the airport and its runways.
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| The Observation Deck at Newark Airport. Photo: The Pie Shops Collection |
Over time, however, the air of mystery surrounding air
travel began to wear off and these observation decks saw fewer visitors. People were no longer interested in standing
around and watching planes. So as the terminal
buildings began to develop, the once-popular observation deck did not and they
were ultimately shutdown as the phenomenon faded into obscurity and security
concerns grew. So while that may have worked back then, this
kind of airport access was not going to survive the test of time on a practical
level.
However, that is not to say that our airports are giving up entirely
on providing passengers with some of the excitement and glamour associated with
visiting observation decks in the 40s, 50s and 60s. New York City’s airports modernization
efforts appear to have these themes in mind, trying to maintain some of the old
spirit while providing services that will appeal to the modern traveler. For example, Delta installed its first
open-air terrace at JFK this year. It is
a far cry from the LaGuardia’s old SkyBar, but a lot of travelers may prefer it. This intimate setting has a comfortable
seating area and a place to order drinks so that Delta’s frequent fliers can
kick back in style while waiting in the airport. This observation deck-revival harks back to
this golden age when flying was exotic, suggesting that perhaps airports are
still a place where people can enjoy themselves. We hope it’s a sign that outdoor areas are
making a comeback at NYC airports!
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| Delta's recently opened an outdoor seating area in their SkyLounge at JFK's Terminal 4. Photo: Chris Sloan for Airchive |
Keep an eye out for our next post!
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