Airline British frequent visitors John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York (JFK) may want to mark November 17 in their calendars – the date when the airline will move its operations to Terminal 8, where it will join American Airlines in the much-expanded space.
For BA, which currently occupies Terminal 7, the move is a bold statement of its transatlantic relationship with American. Together, Oneworld partners have invested around $400 million in renovating this massive terminal since it first published in the first days of February 2019.
BA’s new home will feature five new gates for wide-body aircraft, three lounges with a new Champagne bar, as well as a branded high-end check-in area – with practically everything but a home sink a kitchen.
Thursday, November 17 will mark BA’s first service to Terminal 8, followed by the first trip from the airline’s new terminal on Friday, November 18.
Of course, Rome was not built in a day. Even the largest airport expansion will take some time, and British Airways executives are offering a two-week transition period starting in mid-November, the airline believes it will. fully moved to the new terminal in early December – but if you find yourself circling the old station in that timeframe, you know why.
The project is just one part of the iconic $13 billion airport redevelopment plan to be completed by mid-decade. Larger plans will also see British Airways’ old haunt, Terminal 7, eventually flattened and replaced with the new Terminal 6.
Related: British Airways launches new Avios subscription: Buy Avios for less than 1 cent each
Most importantly for BA passengers right now, the airline has announced that its new space will make it easier than ever to connect to countries across the Atlantic.
Tom Stevens, Head of Brand and Customer Experience, British Airways said: “Our move to the redeveloped and expanded Terminal 8 will bring many benefits to our customers. “This includes a better shuttle experience, allowing them to travel to more than 30 destinations across the US, Caribbean and Latin America with American Airlines.”
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All of this will be music to the ears of frequent BA flyers looking to escape the cold winter in search of some warmth. If that’s not reason enough to put your Avios to good use, British Airways has brought its full Club World service back. For the first time since the beginning of COVID-19, people flying business class can take private in-flight courses.
The bonus for a one-way flight between London and New York in a Club World cabin with a great new Club Suite seat will cost you 60,000 Avios (excluding taxes, fees and airline fees payable in cash).
Meanwhile, upgrading the cash fare from premium economy class in World Traveler Plus on the same service to the more gold-plated Club World will set you back 20,000 Avios.
Related: British Airways Club World’s Best Seats
You can also bring your rewards Club World one-way flight for 62,500 Avios to Cape Town, Miami or Mexico City for 62,500 Avios; Orlando for 62,500; and Sydney for 125,000 Avios. However, these destinations are so popular that it can be difficult to be available.
Test basic guide to British Airways Avios for how to make the most of your hard earned points.
