Inside JFK's new Terminal 6, set to open early next year
The transformation of New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) continues to surge ahead. This week, the airport reached a substantial milestone when the brand-new Terminal 6 finished its curtain walls and enclosed the new terminal for the first time.
It's a major milestone, and the airport is on track to hold a grand opening early next year.
TPG was one of only two media outlets that got a tour of the new terminal, which will be a major step forward for airport infrastructure in the Northeast.
"With the curtain wall now complete, Terminal 6 is fully enclosed—bringing us one step closer to redefining the travel experience," said JFK Millenium Partners COO Karen Ali. "Terminal 6 is built to inspire, putting people at the center of every detail. We're excited to welcome passengers to a new era of travel at JFK."
TPG also got a first look at a newly unveiled art installation that will greet passengers as they arrive at the airport. You can see what that spectacular mural will look like in the illustration below.
The 12,000 square foot "JFK Global Panorama" is a custom-designed, 3D ombre artwork featuring iconic New York City-based imagery and flight routes illustrating global connectivity.
A transformed JFK Airport and brand-new Terminal 6
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which runs JFK, is in the middle of a $19 billion project to transform the airport. When it's done, there will be several brand-new terminals, as well as new roads and ramps to make getting to and from the airport much easier.
The team behind the fabulous Terminal B at New York City's totally redone LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is also building Terminal 6 at JFK.
JFK Millennium Partners gave TPG a tour of the new Terminal 6 and told us about how Terminal 7 next door will eventually get torn down. In its footprint, another four gates for the second phase of the project will become part of an expanded Terminal 6. The second phase is expected to open in 2028.
The new terminal will be a whopping 1.2 million square feet and offer 10 new gates, several of which will be built to handle wide-body jets. You can get a good idea of the size of the space when you look out over the new central hub of the new terminal.
"This success supports other upcoming milestones, including adding permanent power and live testing the building," JFK Millennium Partners said in a press release.
The press release continued: "More than 1,200 local workers are currently on site to ensure a smooth opening for more than a dozen carriers that will be relocating to the new terminal, among them: Aer Lingus, Air Canada, ANA, Austrian Airlines, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Condor, Frontier, JetBlue, Kuwait Airways, Lufthansa, Norse Atlantic, and SWISS."
The new Terminal 6 at JFK
Beginning at departures, passengers can look forward to the new terminal's digital-first guest experience, with a massive light-filled hall filled with digital billboards and blond wood accents.
The departures area will feature one of the longest departures curbs at JFK, with airline-branded passenger drop-off zones.
They are completely reconstructing the roadway system in front of the terminal, too. It will have more logical entry and exit spots, as well as easy access to two different AirTrain stations.
In the end, it will be less than a five-minute average walk from the TSA security checkpoint exit to all gates.
Once through security, you will be able to enter the giant welcome hall, the Grand Hall, which will feature a massive skylight and 100,000 square feet of New York City-inspired shopping and dining outlets.
It's an awe-inspiring space, even if it still looks like a construction zone.
You can tell how glorious it will eventually be. Here are some renderings of what the final product might look like.
Terminal 6 will have five airline lounges airside, plus an arrivals lounge. JFK Millennium told me there is not yet a confirmed airline to host the first-ever arrivals lounge at JFK Airport (so if you're an interested airline, there's still time to grab the space).
It's hard to tell in the photos below, but this is where Lufthansa is opening a massive new lounge in Terminal 6, which will have a dedicated entrance via escalators. While we don't yet have all the details, we expect it will include dedicated Lufthansa first-class, business-class and Senator lounges.
Cathay Pacific is going to open its first-ever JFK lounge in this space, too. A huge announcement about one of that lounge's cool features should come soon.
Aer Lingus has also confirmed that it will have a dedicated lounge in Terminal 6; it will be reachable via a set of stairs you can see in the photo below.
In the photo above, you can see that the left side is where you'll walk toward Terminal 5 once construction is complete.
The new terminal will be connected both land- and airside to the adjacent Terminal 5, which is home to JetBlue Airways' JFK hub. By the time the project is done, you'll be able to go back and forth between terminals 5 and 6 for shopping and even lounge hopping.
Terminal 6 and JetBlue's Terminal 5 will actually share a customs hall. You can see the photos of the new customs area in the gallery below; it will feature wide-open spaces and natural light coming from the walls and ceiling above.
The baggage system is impressive. It begins with biometric bag drops at check-in. From there, luggage gets carried through a complex system of conveyer belts and scanned by robots.
Another thing to note about the project is its environmental focus. The terminal uses sustainably sourced building materials, rooftop solar power, and energy-efficient systems and operating practices throughout. JFK Millennium Partners told me it is aiming to have LEED Silver or Gold certification for the project.
Bottom line
When finished, the transformed Terminal 6 will be a sight to behold. From the dramatic skylights to the massive Grand Hall, the biometric screening and bag drops to the robotic baggage handlers, this airport terminal will be quite a revelation.
It could end up being one of the country's best airport terminals — and the new JFK will give LGA and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) a real run for best tri-state airport once it's all done.
For more about the revamped JFK, be sure to check out the latest below.
- 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
Rewards
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.