Exciting details emerge about JFK's newest terminal, home to Lufthansa, JetBlue
A major transformation is underway at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
The airport, which is among the busiest in the world, is getting two brand-new terminals, as well as an overhaul of several other existing terminals.
Perhaps no upgrade is as exciting as the new Terminal 6, which just celebrated one year since construction began. As part of this milestone, the terminal redevelopment team, JFK Millennium Partners, along with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, shared a sneak peek at what travelers can expect once the facility opens in the first quarter of 2026.
JFK's new Terminal 6
JFK's new Terminal 6 will span a whopping 1.2 million square feet and offer 10 new gates, nine of which are capable of handling wide-body jets. The new terminal is being built adjacent to the existing Terminal 5, which is home to JetBlue Airways' JFK hub.
Once complete, the two terminals will be connected airside, giving flyers a more seamless connecting experience (assuming that the carriers operating from these facilities offer connecting tickets).
The Lufthansa Group has already announced that it will become the new terminal's first tenant, moving the Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines operations from the existing Terminal 1 to Terminal 6 in early 2026.
The Port Authority confirmed this week that "advanced discussions with other air carriers are underway" to move to the new terminal. At the outset, only five of the $4.2 billion terminal's 10 gates will open, with the remaining five due to be completed by 2028.
Several other amenities have already been teased. This includes the longest departures curb at JFK (with translucent canopies), meaning that there shouldn't be too much roadway traffic getting to the terminal (something that the existing Terminal 1 suffers from on a nightly basis).
The terminal will be home to up to five airline lounges — Lufthansa already confirmed that it will open a new outpost there — as well as a new arrivals lounge. It remains to be seen which carrier will lease the arrivals lounge, but it likely won't be Lufthansa since most of the airline's New York-bound flights arrive in the afternoon and evening.
Terminal 6 will share a new ground transportation center and taxi stand with Terminal 5, and it'll also be connected to both the Terminal 5 and Terminal 7 AirTrain stations.
The new facility will also house a centralized Transportation Security Administration checkpoint with the latest screening technologies, as well as a Customs and Border Protection immigration area for international arrivals.
Based on the newly released renderings, the new terminal looks like it'll become one of the nicest in the country when it opens. From the circular skylight at the center of the check-in area to the bright and airy Grand Hall in the departures area, this facility should be largely reminiscent of the new Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport.
Many more details are expected to be unveiled in the coming months. "Selection of the future food and beverage, retail and duty-free concession brands is underway, with partners to be announced once chosen," reads the Port Authority's press release.
When Terminal 6 is complete, the existing Terminal 7 is expected to be demolished.
JFK's new Terminal One
In addition to the new Terminal 6, the airport's existing Terminal 1 is being transformed as part of a $9.5 billion project.
The new Terminal One at JFK will incorporate the current and former sites of terminals 1, 2 and 3 into a massive, 2.4 million-square-foot international terminal that will anchor the south side of the airport.
When complete, the new terminal will be the largest at JFK — nearly the same size as LaGuardia Airport's two new terminals combined. The first big milestone, which includes the new arrivals and departures hall and the first set of 14 new gates, is expected to open in 2026.
When fully complete in 2030, the new Terminal One will feature 23 gates, a redesigned check-in hall and overhauled arrival spaces. (The existing Terminal 1 and recently shuttered Terminal 2 have 12 and 11 gates, respectively.)
Other JFK upgrades
All of this work is being conducted as part of the JFK Vision Plan, a major strategic initiative from the Port Authority to reimagine the airport.
In fact, two parts of the JFK Vision Plan are already operational. American Airlines led a $400 million modernization of its JFK home that includes new gates, three new premium lounges and an overhauled check-in area.
As part of the expansion, British Airways and Iberia moved into Terminal 8, with other Oneworld alliance carriers having co-located into the space since then.
Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines invested in a $1.5 billion upgrade at its Terminal 4 hub at JFK. This expansion includes 11 new gates, two new Sky Clubs and an overhauled check-in area.
Sure, all of this work might mean lots of traffic and headaches right now, but it looks like it'll all be worth it once the project is complete.
For more about the new JFK, be sure to check out:
- JFK’s new Terminal 6 just hit key redevelopment milestone amid major airport makeover
- Chase's interesting new JFK lounge is now open
- First look: Delta’s revamped JFK terminal with 11 new gates and 2 new Sky Clubs
- Big disruptions coming as New York-JFK redevelopment begins next week
- Big changes coming to JFK as 60-year-old Terminal 2 closes for good
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- 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.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
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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. |
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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. (Partner offer)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.