Connie Cocktail Lounge at New York's JFK - Airport Flying high

Sara Duffy, principal of the interiors division at Stonehill Taylor, tells us how the bar housed in a 1960s aeroplane took off

This project looks like it could have thrown up some challenges...

The most challenging aspect of this project is that we were working within a circular space. Because of the layout, we had to working under a tight space with low ceilings, which challenged us to find a way to visually open up that space so that guests can feel welcome. Additionally, we really focused on the design of our FF&E, for example creating banquettes that would fit nicely against the curved fuselage and not to mention we had to also design ducts into the furniture in order for air conditioning to come up from the floor.

What are the original design elements and what’s been added?

To allow guests the experience of being transported back in time, we used new materials that blend in with the plane’s original elements and structure.

Guests can peek their head into the original cockpit, as well as take a seat toward the front of the cabin next to original controls and instruments. We also kept the plane’s ‘constellation’ window, once used to guide the aircraft by starlight on overnight flights.