Designated JetBlue University, the airline uses the new 105,475 sf facility for the continual training of all JetBlue pilots and in-flight crew. The facility also provides support training for the airline's technical operations and customer service crew. It can accommodate 200 permanent daytime staff and up to 300 students at once.

JetBlue University is physically and functionally divided between a three-story administrative area and high-bay simulator halls with associated support space (e.g., storage, maintenance, utilities). Administrative components include classrooms, private and open-plan offices, conference/briefing room, auditorium and cafeteria. The simulator halls house a total of six pilot flight training simulators and two cabin simulators. The design allows for the addition of two more pilot flight training simulators. A future expansion could add capacity for up to eight cockpit simulators, for a potential total of 16 simulators at this location.

The structure has a steel frame with an exterior composed of precast concrete, metal siding and curtainwall. The design incorporates preventive measures to shield administrative and classroom areas from disruptive noise and vibration generated by the training simulators as well as that of airport traffic overhead. For example, wall treatments in the lobby serve as both decoration and sound control devices. Even the hydraulic pump rooms required special wall and ceiling treatments to achieve critical acoustic performance levels.

The exterior of the administrative portion befits the image of a corporate office building, with a curved three-story curtainwall glazing of the lobby providing a landmark for visitor entry. Brand identity is established and reinforced by the use of metal panel cladding in the JetBlue custom color. The ground-floor lobby leads into a three-story atrium with skylight, known as the central “palm court.” Design features of this main entry include a Monumental-style staircase, upgraded wall and ceiling finishes, all-glass doors and stainless steel and glass railing systems that project a sophisticated corporate image. Wall treatments serve as both decoration and sound control devices.

The simulator halls are designed to be simple, durable and utilitarian. They contain a central mezzanine “spine” constructed of load-bearing CMU and contain support and other spaces related to the operation of the simulators. Additionally, the simulator halls are buffered from the classrooms by sound-rated construction to reduce transmission of noise and heavy vibration from the simulators to the office/classroom setting. The simulator hall area sits behind the administrative portion of the building and is defined by precast concrete wall panels with overhead access doors. The use of curtainwall framing for glazed openings unifies the building elevation while permitting viewing of the simulator activities from the exterior.

The project included a 40' x 50' heated outdoor pool which JetBlue crews use for emergency slide/raft training.

Because JetBlue supplied all of the equipment housed in the facility — from furniture and fixtures to $90 million worth of simulators — effective construction scheduling was of critical importance on this project. Regular communication between our team and the owner's, together with weekly meetings and a web-based management information system, helped ensure optimal sequencing of deliveries and installations.

BRPH provided architectural and engineering design services for the project, working closely with our firm's selected subcontractors to provide the best value to the owner for this high-profile, design-build project.

Equipped with the latest and finest technology, JetBlue's training center represents a total investment of more than $100 million.

JetBlue Airways commenced operations in February 2000 with the inauguration of service between New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The airline now serves 30 cities around the country and the Caribbean.