Old JFK and LAX, can't get enough of the history!

**Speedbird1** · 03-05-2007, 09:59 AM

I went every weekend with my friend to the Pan Am Roof in the late 70's and early 80's and it was great. You could see the Air France Concorde start-up her engines and view the retractible nose in action. As a bonus,we got the international 747s at the IAB. We also went to the BA Terminal and saw the British Concorde taxy in then later depart. Everything changed after PA 103 was destroyed. Wire fences were placed on the Pan Am Roof and ruined the view and it was even closed later for security reasons. At LAX, you were allowed to take an elevator to the observation deck at the Theme Building. I read that this has been closed since 9-11.These were the golden days, never again to return.

**Nonstop2AUH** · 03-05-2007, 05:12 PM

Speedbird, nice to be reminded of the good old days. I think Eastern had some sort of observation area as well, somewhere near the Ionosphere Club IIRC.

At LAX, The Encounter restaurant in the Theme Building still has a decent view, although I imagine not as good as when the outdoor observation was open.

**Speedbird1** · 03-06-2007, 11:46 AM

Yes, I also recall a nice view from Eastern Airlines. You are correct; they had a small observation deck but it only had a limited view, so I rarely went. there.

**Nycfly75** · 03-06-2007, 12:02 PM

My Dad used to take me many Saturdays to the IAB observation deck when it was opened. It was an amzing view.

**Speedbird1** · 03-06-2007, 01:36 PM

Do you mean the deck at the old IAB ? It had a turnstile and cost a dime. I never cared for the view from there as the northern side of the airport was covered by the building itself. I recall great views of only Lufthansa and Alitalia from there as it was on the east side of the terminal. The Pan Am roof had a much better view and it was free!

**727C47** · 03-06-2007, 01:54 PM

my family's backyard on 124th st. had the most awesome view of all Canarsie 13L arrivals at 500agl, and 31L departures down the end of the block by the Conduit.

**Nycfly75** · 03-06-2007, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by Speedbird1

Do you mean the deck at the old IAB ? It had a turnstile and cost a dime. I never cared for the view from there as the northern side of the airport was covered by the building itself. I recall great views of only Lufthansa and Alitalia from there as it was on the east side of the terminal. The Pan Am roof had a much better view and it was free!

Yes that was the one :) I was very young so any airplane that I saw was fine by me, but as my avatar shows I would never mind just seeing AZ :-D .

I also have a great view of 13/31 L/R traffic from my house:

**JetBlueAirwaysFan** · 03-12-2007, 10:13 PM

I will comment about the old Pan Am Terminal...It is not the same since Delta took control. They have paid more attention to Terminal Two, as Terminal 3 seemed like a dark hallway when I was at JFK in 2005.

**nwafan20** · 03-12-2007, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by Nycfly75

Originally Posted by Speedbird1

Do you mean the deck at the old IAB ? It had a turnstile and cost a dime. I never cared for the view from there as the northern side of the airport was covered by the building itself. I recall great views of only Lufthansa and Alitalia from there as it was on the east side of the terminal. The Pan Am roof had a much better view and it was free!

Yes that was the one :) I was very young so any airplane that I saw was fine by me, but as my avatar shows I would never mind just seeing AZ :-D .

I also have a great view of 13/31 L/R traffic from my house:

Your very lucky, I have to travel an hour and a half to get to a commercial airport, and you can spot from your backyard! I'm moving in!!! :D

**727C47** · 03-13-2007, 06:46 AM

I remember Avianca 707s in the late 70s early 80s at the old IAB portal,does anybody remember the Modern Air Cv990s that were JFK based in the mid 70s? I never tried the top of the Worldport, the spotting from the old neighborhood was sublime.