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.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.