The Port Authority of New York/New Jersey has been giving its major international ports some love, and in doing so, has created some of the finest airport terminals the US has seen in years. First was LaGuardia’s Terminal B, which earned a five-star rating from SkyTrax while also being crowned the world’s best new airport terminal in 2023. Next up was Newark’s Terminal A, which also earned a five-star rating and was deemed the world’s best new terminal in 2024, followed by an excellent LaGuardia Terminal C. Now, it’s JFK’s turn.

John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) has never quite received the same level of hate as the old buildings at LaGuardia (which former Vice President Joe Biden likened to a ‘third world country’ in 2014), but some of its five terminals are hardly pleasant either. Now, however, a new Terminal One will be opening later in 2026, which will be the airport’s best terminal yet and the largest international terminal in the entire country, featuring 22 widebody-capable gates. Here’s what’s coming to New York JFK Airport.

The New Terminal One At JFK

Credit: Port Authority Of New York & New Jersey

2026 will see the partial opening of the new Terminal One at New York JFK Airport. The initial opening date is set for June, consisting of 14 gates located on the east side of the terminal, along with an arrivals and departures hall, while the full terminal is set to be completed by 2030. It will be the airport’s largest terminal, featuring a total of 23 gates, 22 of which will be widebody-capable, and it will eventually replace the current Terminal One, while also occupying the space formerly taken up by Terminal Two, which was demolished in 2023.

Terminal One currently features 11 gates, meaning that the new Terminal One will have more than double the capacity. Once the initial 14 gates are open, work will begin on demolishing the old building, with another five gates located on the west side of the building set to open in 2028. Finally, 2030 will see the last five gates open up, with the full Terminal One being completed. At 2.6 million square feet (241,000 square meters), this will be the largest freestanding terminal in the US, and will also be one of the Port Authority’s most expensive projects ever, costing roughly $9.5 billion.

The terminal is being financed by a consortium led by Ferrovial, Carlyle Group, JLC Infrastructure, and Ullico, collectively known as ‘New Terminal One’. There will be 22 international airlines using the facilities, many of which are relocating from other terminals. In addition, four of the terminal’s new widebody gates will be capable of handling the Airbus A380, although Korean Air is the only airline set to operate from the new terminal that deploys the A380 to JFK.

What To Expect From The New Terminal One

Credit: Ferrovial

Within the new Terminal One’s expansive walls will be over 300,000 square feet (28,000 square meters) of retail space. The main section will be covered by a 90-foot (27.4-meter) bowtie-shaped roof, supported by large tree-shaped columns, and the building will also feature a radiant heating HVAC system to capture body heat from passing guests. The roof will allow for a great deal of natural light, and the entire terminal will be lined with floor-to-ceiling windows for additional lighting.

Since Terminal One is solely for foreign carriers, all gates will have access to the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) area. The new terminal will include two independent lounges operated by Plaza Premium Group: the Plaza Premium First lounge and a Plaza Premium pre-security lounge. In addition, the terminal is also confirmed to be receiving large lounges from Korean Air, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines, along with another lounge that has yet to be revealed.

With massive ceilings, beautiful architecture, ample options for retail, dining, and lounges, along with added capacity, the new Terminal One will be one of the best in the entire world. JFK, as well as the other two major New York airports, is hardly known for the quality of its passenger facilities, but the Port Authority has created genuinely stunning terminals at LaGuardia and Newark, with the new Terminal One at JFK appearing to be the best one yet. What’s more, it’s part of a $19 billion project to improve JFK as a whole.

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The New Terminal Six Coming To JFK

Credit: Vantage Airport Group

In addition to a new Terminal One, 2026 will also see the opening of the new Terminal Six. The initial phase, set to open in the spring, will occupy the space between Terminals Five and Seven, while the rest of the building will occupy the space currently used by Terminal Seven, which will be demolished. In total, there will be ten gates, nine of which will be widebody-capable, and the building will also be physically connected to Terminal Five, allowing for seamless transfers for passengers traveling with JetBlue (which is the primary tenant at Terminal Five) and its partner airlines at Terminal Six.

In total, Terminal Six is projected to host at least 14 airlines, including JetBlue as well as Lufthansa Group airlines (Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines). This terminal will also host low-cost carriers Frontier and Norse Atlantic Airways, as well as Condor. Aer Lingus, a long-time partner of JetBlue, will move to Terminal Six. They will be joined by Star Alliance members All Nippon Airways and Avianca, as well as oneworld member Cathay Pacific, in addition to Kuwait Airways and Icelandair.

The full Terminal Six project is expected to be completed by 2028, fully replacing Terminal Seven. While it won’t be as large as the new Terminal One, it will still be a huge structure, at 1.2 million square feet (111,000 square meters), and total costs are estimated at $4.2 billion. It’s being managed by JFK Millennium Partners, a private consortium consisting of Vantage Airport Group, American Triple I, RXR Realty, and JetBlue, and the group also currently manages Terminal Seven.

Inside The New Terminal Six

Credit: Vantage Airport Group

The new Terminal Six at JFK will be designed around sustainability, technological innovation, and convenience. While Terminal One will be a massive structure with more than enough space to serve as a proper international gateway, Terminal Six is meant to be a boutique experience for a smaller number of passengers. It’s advertised that passengers will, at any point, be no more than five minutes away from their gate, and the connection to Terminal Five makes connections seamless, a notorious issue otherwise at JFK.

The headhouse will be a three-level structure that includes the processing sections for the terminal, while the concourses will contain two levels, including a sterile corridor for international arrivals. The CBP facility located within Terminal Six will be shared with Terminal Five. A large oculus will be located just past security, and the entire terminal will be decorated by New York-themed art, while floor-to-ceiling windows will let in abundant light.

The new building will contain five airside lounges, as well as an arrivals lounge. It’s already been confirmed that Aer Lingus and Cathay Pacific will open up US lounges in this terminal, while it’s expected that Lufthansa will also operate dedicated lounges. In addition, the terminal will include advanced automated baggage handling systems, as well as the latest security screening technologies. The terminal will also be constructed with sustainably sourced materials, will use rooftop solar panels, and is aiming to follow energy-efficient practices.

More Expansion At JFK Airport

Credit: Shutterstock

The Port Authority’s $19 billion project not only includes two new terminal buildings, but also expansion projects for some existing terminals. The Port Authority has spent $1.5 billion to expand Terminal Four (primarily used by Delta Air Lines) to add ten new gates and 150,000 square feet (14,000 square meters) to the ‘A’ concourse. In addition, the project includes interior enhancements, such as updating gate finishes, improving the check-in hall, and adding curb drop-off space. This project is now completed.

The airport’s modernization program for Terminal Eight (home to American Airlines) has also largely been finished. With this project, the terminal gained five widebody gates, allowing British Airways, Iberia, and Japan Airlines to shift their operations, while the commercial redevelopment portion of the project is set to be completed later in 2026. This will include adding over 60 dining and retail options, many of which are local New York favorites.

By 2030, JFK should be a whole new, world-class airport, but the Port Authority isn’t stopping there. With Terminal A completed, work is now underway on a new Terminal B for Newark Airport, now the oldest and smallest terminal at the airport. In addition, it’s also planned for Newark’s Terminal C (home to United Airlines) to receive substantial improvements. With these plans, along with LaGuardia’s projects now completed, flying into New York airports will be an experience that reflects the best of what the city has to offer.