JFK’s new Terminal 6 just hit a major redevelopment milestone amid a major airport makeover

The overhauled John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York is well on its way to becoming a reality.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul, along with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which oversees the region’s major airports, announced on Thursday that the new Terminal 6 project at JFK had secured the funds needed to continue construction.

The agency worked to secure $4.2 billion in funding to build the first phase of the new Terminal 6 project from four private companies: JFK Millennium Partners, American Triple I, RXR and JetBlue Airways .

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The new Terminal 6 lease agreement is approved last year by the Port Authority Council, but the agency has yet to finalize funding for the new construction. Now that it has secured enough capital, a lease has been signed and construction is expected to begin early next year.

The first phase is expected to open in 2026, followed by full completion in 2028.

“This will be a truly phenomenal, state-of-the-art facility, and at all three airports, the Port Authority is committed to bringing modern, 21st-century quality airports to the region,” said Rick Cotton, director. chief executive officer of the Port Authority, at the agency’s Thursday board meeting.

The new 1.2 million square foot Terminal 6 at JFK will be located on the north side of the airport between the existing Terminals 5 and 7 facilities. It will have 10 ports, nine of which will be capable of receiving wide-body aircraft.

Terminal 6 will seamlessly connect to JetBlue’s current headquarters is in Terminal 5. Construction will begin without any impact on JFK operations, as much of it will be in an area currently used as a hangar.

When Terminal 6 is completed, the existing Terminal 7 will be demolished. British Airways, the current anchor tenant in Terminal 7, is moving to US Terminal 8 later this yearwhile other airlines in current Terminal 7 are expected to switch to other terminals in the coming years.

The Port Authority is introducing a range of passenger-focused innovations in the new Terminal 6, including a bright and airy arrival and departure hall with floor-to-ceiling windows, a public art show robust, automated TSA security lanes and over 100,000 square feet of dedicated space for shopping and dining.

JetBlue will share space in Terminal 6 with Lufthansa Corporationwill move to Terminal 6 once it opens in 2026. This includes flights operated by Lufthansa, Swiss, Austria Airlines and Brussels Airlines, which currently operate out of Terminal 1.

With Lufthansa merging with Terminal 6, the Port Authority is introducing a “world-class lounge experience” for Terminal 6 passengers. I hope that this will include dedicated lounges for passengers. Lufthansa first class, business class and senator.

The Terminal 6 project is the final part of the $18 billion “JFK Vision” transformation plan. Although all of JFK’s projects were put on hold from the start when the pandemic hit, those days are now in the rearview mirror.

The new one, 9.5 billion USD Terminal 1 in JFK Breaking ground in September 2022. This 2.4 million square foot international terminal will be anchored on the south side of the airport. The project is estimated to cost $9.5 billion and will create at least 10,000 jobs, according to the Port Authority.

To make room for the new Terminal 1, the existing Terminal 2 will be demolished. When completed, the new station will be the largest in JFK — roughly the size of LaGuardia Airport’s two new terminals total.

When fully completed by 2030, New number one station There will be 23 gates, a redesigned check-in lobby and an overhauled arrival space. (Terminals 1 and 2 currently have 12 and 11 gates, respectively.)

Delta’s Terminal 4 is undergo a great expansionincludes additional ports for Delta operations, along with $100 million in renovations to existing check-in areas, as well as a modified arrivals-level curb to aid congestion.

Finally, American is leading a $400 million modernization project for their JFK home, Terminal 8. This work includes new gates, premium lounges and other amenities expected to open in the next few weeks.