JFK's $19B redevelopment: Terminal One set for June 2026 opening

Home
»
Stories
»
2025
»
July

GLOBAL INDUSTRY NEWS

Research

Manny Ciminiello, deputy general manager of JFK Airport at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey | Official Website

By Sky Industry News

Jul 15, 2025

John F. Kennedy International Airport is approaching a significant milestone in its $19 billion redevelopment project with the anticipated opening of two new terminals next year. The largest, Terminal One, is set to open in June 2026. Jennifer Aument, CEO of New Terminal One, announced at an event that China Airlines will be among the tenants in this facility.

"Building a new terminal the size of LaGuardia Airport is no small feat," said Manny Ciminiello, deputy general manager of JFK Airport at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The new Terminal One will eventually span 2.6 million square feet and accommodate at least 15 airlines, including Air France, Etihad Airways, Korean Air, and Turkish Airlines.

The construction site also includes the upcoming Terminal 6, expected to open in early 2026. This terminal will house airlines such as Air Canada, All Nippon Airways (ANA), Cathay Pacific, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, and Lufthansa.

Get the Newsletter

Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News

By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Aument anticipates around 50 airlines will change their terminal locations at JFK in 2026. The projects are part of broader improvements aimed at transforming JFK into one of America's best airports.

JFK is currently the largest international air gateway to the U.S., having welcomed 17.5 million international travelers in 2024 according to U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics data.

Aument led a tour of the under-construction Terminal One following the announcement about China Airlines. She highlighted its design features inspired by a butterfly and reminiscent of a bowtie.

Terminal One will include extensive dining and retail spaces when complete. Six lounges are planned for travelers' convenience.

The third-floor ticketing lobby is described by Aument as a "very grand space." It aims to guide travelers intuitively through security to their gates.

Transparency is emphasized in the design to offer views from curbside through to aircraft aprons. However, future TSA checkpoints may obstruct some views.

An "Instagrammable" art piece will be installed post-security along with other artworks throughout the terminal space.

Arriving international travelers will experience an upper-level customs hall filled with natural light before proceeding to baggage claim located in the basement area.

"This is where we officially welcome people to New York," Aument stated regarding the customs hall setup without a basement CBP area.

Once phase A opens on former terminals 2 and 3 sites at JFK; work on demolishing existing Terminal 1 will commence for phase B's additional gates scheduled for completion by 2030.