New York JFK's sprawling New Terminal One names first of 6 lounges: Korean Air
The passenger experience at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is about to get a major improvement.
Nowhere is that more apparent (or more sorely needed) than in the existing Terminal 1 complex, which will be replaced by something called "New Terminal One."
When it opens, New Terminal One will be home to six lounges, the first of which was officially unveiled on Wednesday. Korean Air, one of the new facility's flagship tenants, announced that it will open a new 16,000-square-foot lounge space when the terminal opens in 2026.
The lounge will be one of the largest in the Korean Air network outside the airline's hub at Incheon International Airport (ICN) in Seoul, South Korea.
While the airline didn't share any renderings, it did provide some teasers as to what travelers can expect from the new lounge. This includes panoramic views of the airfield, a show kitchen and bar, and even direct boarding access to aircraft parked at nearby gates.
The Korean Air lounge will be at the end of the New Terminal One's east pier. Access will be available to those booked in first and business class on Korean Air and SkyTeam partners, as well as to eligible elite frequent flyers.
When to go: These are the best times to buy an international flight
Korean's existing lounge in the old Terminal 1 accepts Priority Pass passengers during limited time windows, and it remains to be seen if the new space will also be open to such travelers.
The New Terminal One will be home to five airside (postsecurity) lounges, as well as one landside (presecurity) lounge. Terminal management isn't ready to share details about the airlines (or credit card companies) that will lease the remaining spaces, but it's expected that these announcements will be made over the coming year and a half.
The New Terminal One will open in two phases, the first of which is scheduled to be completed in 2026. When it opens, it'll feature expansive departures and arrivals halls and 14 wide-body gates.
The second phase will open in 2030 and include nine more gates — all but one of which will handle wide-body aircraft. When complete, the New Terminal One complex will measure a whopping 2.6 million square feet and sit on the sites of the existing Terminal 1 and former terminals 2 and 3.
The New Terminal One is projected to handle more than 16 million passengers in 2030.
In addition to the upgrades at Terminal 1, JFK is currently undergoing a major $19 billion airport-wide transformation. This includes a new Terminal 6, as well as improvements to terminals 4, 5 and 8.
Cathay Pacific recently announced that it would open its first-ever lounge at JFK's new Terminal 6, which is also expected to be home to a suite of new Lufthansa lounges.
For more about the revamped JFK, be sure to check out the latest below.
- Cathay Pacific to make a big move in New York, open first-ever JFK lounge
- Exciting details emerge about JFK's newest terminal, home to Lufthansa, JetBlue
- Capital One will open a new lounge at New York's JFK
- Reviewing the new Delta One Lounge in New York, a stunning masterpiece
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- What are points and miles worth? TPG's monthly valuations
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees