The New Fly Zone
Over the last two years, John Wayne Airport has had a growth spurt. Now it's bigger, smarter and a whole lot nicer.
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There’s a design philosophy that’s been coined “intuitive wayfinding.” It’s like reading a Kindle – you are reading a story and not thinking about the device in your hand. Your experience is seamless; flipping the page is completely intuitive. “Our philosophy is to not have to read the building in order to use the building,” says Keith Thompson, John Wayne Airport’s expansion project principal with Gensler, the architectural firm that designed both the 1985 terminals and the current $543 million renovation.
So, at the new JWA, the airport is in fact part of the trip, not the unfortunate means to it. “Having the building elevate the experience is what intuitive wayfinding is all about,” says Thompson.
Specifically, that was the goal of the new 282,000-square-foot Terminal C, 2,200 additional “smart” parking spaces and many more restaurants and retail shops.
“John Wayne Airport is bigger than most people probably realize,” says Alan L. Murphy, airport director. “We’re [one of the top 50] busiest passenger airport in the country. That usually surprises people. They usually think we’re a lot smaller. And we try to make people think that we are smaller, quite frankly. Not from the markets we serve, but from the lack-of-a-hassle factor.”
The expansion, with its six additional gates and five new OC vendors (Ruby’s Diner, Hobie Sand Bar, Anaheim Ducks Breakaway Bar & Grill, Fresh Market by Laguna Culinary Arts, and even a wine lounge, Vino Volo), will allow the airport to service up to 10.3 million passengers per year. But the real goal was not squeezing more people through gates and terminals; it was providing the level of service – “lack-of-hassle” feel – for which JWA had come to be known. And that was paramount in the expansion’s design, says Thompson. “One thing I’ve heard people say about John Wayne Airport is that it’s a calming experience.”
Keeping that calming feeling he’s heard people speak about when mentioning flying out of JWA drove the design of the new Terminal C. And as we all know from runs to LAX, stress begins in the parking lot. This is why the new Parking C, the garage adjacent to new Terminal C, will have pay-on-foot machines, making it possible to pay before you get to your car. All three parking structures have been equipped with the Parking Access and Revenue Control System, or PARCS. That’s that nifty gizmo that tells you how many spaces are still available and where they are.
Like the parking lot, modernization is as big a part of the aesthetics and layout. This is why the new Terminal C has universal self-serve kiosks, which means that there is no need to go to individual airline check-in counters. And where is your gate? Just check the new HD flat screens.
If you are hoping – or more likely, dreading – that this expansion is the first step to becoming another LAX, cool your jets. That simply will never happen. Yes, JWA is technically international. You can fly nonstop to two destinations in Canada (Calgary and Vancouver), and come June, you’ll be able to hop to Cabo San Lucas and Mexico City. But there is a very concrete reason JWA will not get you farther than Hawaii or New York in the foreseeable future: the length of its runway. JWA’s is 5,701 feet long. LAX’s is 12,091. “The runway length limits the size of the aircraft and therefore the markets we can serve. So we’re never going to be a major international airport,” says Murphy. “If you want to fly to Europe or the Middle East, you’re going to have to go to Los Angeles to make that happen. We will be in a position to do a little bit of international, but we’re going to remain pretty much a domestic airport.”
Judging from the battles over the years, mainly between the city of Newport Beach and the county, that will make a lot of people happy. JWA operates under many restrictions, thanks to settlement agreements going back to 1985. Flights are limited to certain times of the day, for instance. No departures are allowed before 7 a.m. (8 a.m. on Sunday) or after 10 p.m. Arrivals have a curfew of 11 p.m. In addition, because the land just south of JWA is considered a noise-sensitive area, 10 noise-monitoring stations are in place. This sensitivity, along with the short runway, forces many airliners to take off at a steep incline, at 95% or more power, so they can reduce their power at 600 feet to ensure a quieter flight over Newport Beach. It can make for an exciting take-off.
“Airports are an interesting business to be in, especially one like John Wayne, which is in an urban area,” says Murphy. “We take very seriously the responsibility of balancing the negative environmental impact an airport does have – the traffic, the air-quality, the noise potentiality – with the positives, such as providing air transportation and the ability for people to move around the country and internationally. And I think Orange County has done a very good job of striking an appropriate balance. And we’re committed to continuing to do that.”
Thompson agrees. He says JWA reflects what OCers believe is one of the county’s best features. “It’s not a super-urban, go-go-go airport,” he says. “It’s an airport that meets the business and pleasure needs of its residents.”
Best Supporting Airport
While some might describe its acting style as somewhat wooden – all it ever really does is exist – John Wayne Airport does keep getting roles in commercials, independent films and Hollywood blockbusters. Unfortunately, unlike the Duke, most of JWA’s Hollywood blockbusters were more bust than hit. Here’s a few of JWA’s more memorable performances, along with the movie’s Rotten Tomatoes score.
Gleaming the Cube (1989)
RT rating: 29%, rotten
Synopsis: Christian Slater plays a skateboarding teen outcast who sets out to avenge his step-brother’s death.
Demolition Man (1993)
RT rating: 63%, fresh
Synopsis: In this futuristic action movie, Sylvester Stallone plays the world’s toughest cop, in pursuit of the world’s most blood-thirsty criminal, played by Wesley Snipes.
Clear and Present Danger (1994)
RT rating: 78%, fresh
Synopsis: Harrison Ford plays CIA deputy director Jack Ryan in the movie based on Tom Clancy’s bestselling high-tech spy novel.
Jerry Maguire (1996)
RT rating: 85%, fresh
Synopsis: Tom Cruise plays a high-powered sports agent (based on the real Newport Beach sports agent Leigh Steinberg) in this modern romance famous (infamous?) for the line “You complete me.”
Up Close and Personal (1996)
RT rating: 30%, rotten
Synopsis: Robert Redford teams with Michelle Pfeiffer in a romantic drama set in the world of TV news. Because we all know how romantic that world is.
8 Heads in a Duffel Bag (1997)
RT rating: 11%, rotten
Synopsis: A screwball comedy involving murder and lost luggage starring Joe Pesci, a hitman travelling to San Diego with eight severed heads. Try getting those through customs post-911.
The Insider (1999)
RT rating: 96%, fresh
Synopsis: In this intelligent, true tale, Russell Crowe plays a tobacco industry scientist and whistle blower aided by “60 Minutes” producer Al Pacino.
The Out-of-Towners (1999)
RT rating: 32%, rotten
Synopsis: An updated remake of the 1970 Neil Simon hit, Steve Martin and Goldie Hawn probably wish they had stayed in their own town.
Elizabethtown (2005)
RT rating: 28%, rotten
Synopsis: Writer-director Cameron Crowe comes to JWA for the second time (Jerry Maguire) for this romance about a tripped-up sports shoe designer (Orlando Bloom) getting a second chance.
First Class Food
JWA has a host of dining options that are a cut above coach. Here are a few that might just entice you to finally get to the airport early.
Zov’s :: Best-selling cookbook author and award-winning chef Zov Karmardian has landed at JWA with her contemporary Eastern Mediterranean cuisine.
Suggested: Her famous golden lentil soup, homemade hummus and tabbouleh.
Location: In Terminal C
Hobie Sand Bar :: Going to a landlocked big city? Get a last blast of the surf lifestyle at this representation of the life of Laguna Beach icon Hobie Alter.
Suggested: Nothing says relaxation like a cheeseburger in Hobie’s paradise.
Location: Terminal B
Jerry’s Wood-Fired Dogs :: Choose from 36 toppings to build your own dream hot dog at this gourmet vendor. And if you can’t get to Ruby’s for a shake to go with it, no prob, Jerry’s has got you covered.
Suggested: You can’t go wrong with either Uncle Frank’s Italian sausage or Smokey Joe’s kielbasa. The rest is up to you. Choose wisely.
Location: Terminal C
Ruby’s Diner :: The much-loved 1940s style diner that local Doug Cavanaugh originated on the end of Balboa Pier in 1982 and subsequently built into a booming chain, opened this year in JWA. We’re betting the idea will fly.
Suggested: You’re kidding right? The burger, fries and shake are a must.
Location: Terminal C
Anaheim Ducks Breakaway Bar & Grill :: Can’t stand the idea of leaving your hockey team? Check out this homage to the OC hockey team. Just don’t expect to order duck.
Suggested: How about a signature cocktail: the 10-Minute Misconduct, with 10 Cane, Domaine de Canton, Ginger Liqueur, pineapple, and Sprite.
Location: Terminal C
Javi’s :: JWA plans to have international service to Mexico soon. To tide you over until then, here’s a new eatery from the amigo who brought us Javier’s.
Suggested: Can’t beat the seafood enchiladas stuffed with shrimp and Dungeness crab. Or, try the authentic earthy mole poblano.
Location: Terminal C
Buzzing
If you flew out of JWA last year, chances are you went somewhere on this list. Here are the busiest 10 domestic routes from JWA from November 2010 to October 2011:
Destination / Passengers
Phoenix, Arizona / 497,000
Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas / 429,000
Denver, Colorado / 424,000
San Francisco, California / 334,000
Seattle, Washington / 304,000
Chicago, Illinois / 267,000
San Jose, California / 244,000
Oakland, California / 238,000
Las Vegas, Nevada / 229,000
Sacramento, California / 204,000
Over Layovers?
No problem. There are 21 cities that you can fly to directly from JWA without having to stop on the way. So, for these popular destinations, the choice between the madness of LAX (which has 134 nonstops, by the way) or a tour of some distant airport is over. Here are 10 favorite JWA non-stops:
Destination / Airline / Flight Time (in hours)
Honolulu / Continental / 5:45
Salt Lake City / Delta / 2:00
Las Vegas / Southwest, Delta / 1:00
Maui / Continental / 5:45
Chicago / United, American, Southwest / 3:30
San Francisco / United, United Express, Southwest / 1:25
Calgary, Canada / WestJet / 3:00
Mammoth / United / 1:20
Phoenix / Southwest, US Airways / 1:15
Denver / Southwest, United, Frontier / 2:15
JWA By the Numbers
Wondering how much the new expansion cost? Or how many places there are to grab a bite? Read on and wonder no more.
Permit fee to film a movie at JWA :: $400/day
Height in feet of John Wayne statue :: 9
Longest runway length in feet :: 5,701 (LAX’s is 12,091)
Ranking among busiest U.S. airports :: 42
(LAX is fifth – in the world)
Average number of daily commercial flights :: 116
Size of airport in acres :: 500 (LAX is 3,500)
Size of expansion :: 282,000 square feet
Number of additional parking spaces created :: 2,200
Cost of valet parking for 24 hours :: $30
Percentage of airport revenue parking generates :: 30
Earliest a flight can take off :: 7 a.m.
Latest a flight can land :: 11 p.m.
Cost of the JWA expansion :: $543 million
Number of passengers served in 1991 :: 5.34 million
Number of passengers in 2010 :: 8.66 million
Number of passengers allowed in future :: 10.3 million
Jobs created over life of project :: 6,670
Estimated economic benefit to OC :: $1.2 billion
