JFK’s new Terminal 6 just hit key redevelopment milestone amid major airport makeover
An overhauled John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York is well on its way to becoming a reality.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, along with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which oversees the region's major airports, announced on Thursday that the new Terminal 6 project at JFK has secured the necessary funding to move forward with construction.
The agency worked to secure $4.2 billion in funding to construct the first phase of the new Terminal 6 project from four private companies: JFK Millennium Partners, American Triple I, RXR and JetBlue Airways.
The lease for the new Terminal 6 was approved last year by the Port Authority Board of Commissioners, but the agency hadn't finalized the funding for the new construction. Now that it secured the funds, the lease has been signed and construction is expected to begin early next year.
The first phase is expected to open in 2026, followed by a full completion in 2028.
"This will be a state-of-the-art, truly extraordinary facility, and at all three airports, the Port Authority is committed to 21st-century quality, state-of-the-art airports for the region," said Rick Cotton, the executive director of the Port Authority, at the agency's Thursday board meeting.
The new 1.2-million-square-foot Terminal 6 at JFK will be located on the north side of the airport between the existing Terminal 5 and 7 facilities. It'll feature 10 gates, 9 of which will be capable of handling wide-body aircraft.
Terminal 6 will connect seamlessly to JetBlue's existing home in Terminal 5. Construction will begin without any impact on JFK operations, as it'll be largely contained to an area that's currently used as aircraft parking spaces.
When Terminal 6 is complete, the existing Terminal 7 will be demolished. British Airways, the current anchor tenant in Terminal 7, is moving to American's Terminal 8 later this year, while the other airlines in the existing Terminal 7 are expected to move to other terminals in the coming years.
The Port Authority is teasing a host of passenger-focused improvements in the new Terminal 6, including a bright-and-airy arrivals and departures hall with floor-to-ceiling windows, a robust public art program, automated TSA security lanes and over 100,000 square feet of space dedicated to shopping and dining outlets.
JetBlue will share space in Terminal 6 with the Lufthansa Group, which will relocate to Terminal 6 once it opens in 2026. This includes flights operated by Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines, which currently operate out of Terminal 1.
With Lufthansa consolidating to Terminal 6, the Port Authority is teasing a "world-class lounge experience" for Terminal 6 flyers. I'd expect that this will include dedicated Lufthansa first-, business- and Senator-lounges.
The Terminal 6 project is the final piece of the major $18 billion "JFK Vision" transformation plan. While all JFK projects were put on hold at the outset of the pandemic, those days are now firmly in the rear-view mirror.
The new, $9.5 billion Terminal One at JFK broke ground in September 2022. This 2.4-million-square-foot international terminal will anchor the south side of the airport. The project is estimated to cost $9.5 billion and will create at least 10,000 jobs, according to the Port Authority.
To make way for the new Terminal One, the existing Terminal 2 will be demolished. When complete, the new terminal will be the largest at JFK — nearly the same size as LaGuardia Airport's two new terminals combined.
When fully complete in 2030, the new Terminal One will feature 23 gates, a redesigned check-in hall and overhauled arrival spaces. (The existing terminals 1 and 2 have 12 and 11 gates, respectively.)
Delta's Terminal 4 is undergoing a major expansion, which includes additional gates for Delta's operation, along with $100 million in renovations for the existing check-in areas, as well as a modified arrivals-level curb to aid congestion.
Finally, American is leading a $400 million modernization of its JFK home, Terminal 8. This work includes new gates, premium lounges and other amenities that are expected to open in the coming weeks.
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.