The press junket to showcase British Airways’ $30 million renovation of Terminal 7 in JFK began at 10 a.m. in Bryant Park with a chartered bus.

At the terminal, reporters were greeted solicitously by British-accented airline staff, but didn’t get to skip going through security. Turnout was good: The Associated Press, the BBC, the New York Post, Agence France-Presse, CNBC, the Financial Times, and assorted others, including Golf for Women. (The English are big golfers, the executive editor explained.)

After 45 minutes of mulling about and sipping breakfast-y beverages came the press conference. The 18-month renovation would be to enhance what British Airways C.E.O. Willie Walsh referred to as the company’s “premium ground product.” The airline is seeking LEED certification for the terminal.  read more »