Those who flew in or out of John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, New York City before 2013 had the chance to experience a glimpse of the Jet Age in the form of the famous Worldport terminal. Alas, this memorable terminal has been demolished. Let’s take a look back and learn more about what was lost.
The Famous Flying Saucer Design Served a Practical Purpose
The Pan Am Terminal opened in 1960. At that time, it was referred to by that name, or sometimes as the “Unit Terminal Building.” The photo above depicts the terminal in 1961, during its heyday. While it wasn’t renamed to the “Pan Am Worldport” until 1971 after an expansion, the “Worldport” is mostly the name that has stuck. You can view some old photos and artwork of the terminal from the Pan Am Historical Foundation archives.
The eye-catching “flying saucer” design was the work of the firm Tippetts-Abbett-McCarthy-Stratton. The purpose of the wide awning was to protect passengers from weather. The roof was high enough to accommodate the planes underneath it, letting them stop right next to the terminal. Passengers could then board the planes without getting wet in the rain (bridges and stairs were not covered).
The opening of the terminal came just a few years after Pan Am’s 1957 adoption of the iconic blue ball logo, and became part of the airline’s mid century rebranding.
Modifications and Demolishment of the Worldport
Big changes were in store after the 1960s. The architects had not foreseen the impact of the Boeing 707-120. This new jet clipper was simply too large for the existing design. Plus, airport services were growing in demand. So, adjustments needed to be made to the boarding ramps. There were also additions, including a trapezoidal concourse, a pair of remote fueling stations, a US Customs facility, a bar and a dining facility.
While these changes and additions were necessary, they were not all that well-executed. Passengers found the modified terminal hard to navigate. The new architecture also did not match the elegance of the original. Ironically, it was during this time that the terminal was renamed to the “Pan Am Worldport.”
Following Pan Am’s 1991 declaration of bankruptcy, Delta Air Lines took over the Worldport, renaming it “Terminal 3.” Continuing renovations were needed at Terminal 3 to keep it functional. By 2010, Delta decided that it would rather abandon the terminal and demolish it to make room for aircraft parking.
The Worldport closed on May 23, 2013. During the months that followed, preservationists sought to save the Worldport. They tried to get the New York State Historic Preservation Office to add it to the National Register of Historic Places. But the office said it was not eligible because it had been modified too extensively. Demolition began in 2013 and continued through 2014.
Today, we can only look back at photographs, drawings and memories of the Worldport. While the terminal will never again convey passengers to their flights, remembering the Worldport can still transport us back to the Jet Age.
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