Qatar Airways announces first US lounge at JFK’s upcoming terminal

“We,at Qatar Airways, look forward to launching our operations at JFK Airport’s New Terminal One and welcoming Qatar Airways Business Class passengers to our first-ever exclusive lounge in the US. Our new state-of-the-art lounge will provide an enhanced experience at each touchpoint and complement our industry-leading Business Class travel experience. From dedicated airport transfers to VIP check-in to the finest of retail and dining options, premium passengers will be offered the World’s Best service at New Terminal One,” said Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, Group Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways.

The opening of this lounge is part of a broader $19 billion redevelopment project led by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey aimed at transforming JFK Airport. The New Terminal One project alone is valued at $9.5 billion and is being constructed on the sites of existing or former terminals on JFK's south side. When completed in 2030, it will be JFK’s largest terminal with 23 gates and more than 300,000 square feet dedicated to retail, dining, and lounges within a total space of 2.6 million square feet enclosed by large windows. The redevelopment includes upgrades such as a new ground transportation center and improved roadway system.

Financing for the terminal comes from a group of private partners including Ferrovial, JLC Infrastructure, Ullico, and Carlyle. According to airport authorities, construction is expected to generate over 10,000 jobs during development phases.

Other airlines planning operations out of the New Terminal One include Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Etihad Airways, Korean Air, Eva Air, Air Serbia, SAS Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS), Philippine Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Air New Zealand Limited (Air NZ), Royal Air Maroc - Compagnie Nationale de Transports Aériens S.A., China Airlines Ltd., Air China Limited (Air China), Neos SpA (Neos), and Gulf Air BSC (Gulf Air).

Qatar Airways began flights to New York in 2008 from JFK's Terminal 8. Currently serving eleven U.S. destinations—including Atlanta; Boston; Chicago; Dallas/Fort Worth; Houston; Los Angeles; Miami; San Francisco; Seattle; Washington D.C.; and New York—the carrier transports more than three million U.S.-based travelers annually via connections through Doha Hamad International Airport.

With eighteen weekly flights between Doha and JFK alone—and onward links across over 170 international destinations—Qatar Airways continues expanding its presence within North America as part of the oneworld alliance network.