New York John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) is at the moment present process a significant redevelopment. As a part of this, in 2026, we’re presupposed to see the opening of the brand new Terminal One and Terminal 6 (I do know the inconsistent branding is unusual, but it surely’s referred to as “Terminal One” to distinguish it from the present Terminal 1, which is present process a redevelopment).
Anyway, Qatar Airways has simply made what I’d think about to be a fairly thrilling announcement for these flying with the airline from New York…
Qatar Airways will relocate to JFK Terminal One
Qatar Airways shall be shifting to JFK Airport Terminal One, as soon as the ability opens in 2026. The terminal may have 13 gates in its first section, however finally, it’ll have 23 gates. As soon as full, terminal may have a footprint of two.4 million sq. ft, together with 300,000 sq. ft of retail, eating, and lounge area.
By way of passenger expertise, Qatar Airways has plans to open its personal lounge within the terminal. The lounge is predicted to be round 15,000 sq. ft, and it is going to be Qatar Airways’ first-ever devoted lounge in the USA. Qatar Airways’ outstation lounges are phenomenal, and this one is even anticipated to supply entry to the boarding gate instantly from the lounge.
Qatar Airways operates as much as three each day flights to New York, on a mix of Airbus A350s and Boeing 777s.
Right here’s what Qatar Airways CEO Badr Mohammed Al Meer needed to say concerning the terminal transfer and new lounge (although I’m unsure what the “devoted airport transfers” remark is in reference to):
“We, at Qatar Airways, stay up for launching our operations at JFK Airport’s New Terminal One and welcoming Qatar Airways Enterprise Class passengers to our first-ever unique lounge within the US. Our new state-of-the-art lounge will present an enhanced expertise at every touchpoint and complement our industry-leading Enterprise Class journey expertise. From devoted airport transfers to VIP check-in to the best of retail and eating choices, premium passengers shall be provided the World’s Finest service at New Terminal One.”
“Our transfer demonstrates the evolution of Qatar Airways’ long-standing dedication to connecting international travellers to New York and increasing our companies within the vacation spot integral to our community within the US.”
2026 goes to be a completely huge 12 months for JFK, because it’s anticipated that roughly 50 airways shall be shifting their terminals, which makes up roughly two-thirds of the airways flying to the airport.
Is Qatar Airways’ transfer to JFK Terminal One an excellent factor?
Qatar Airways at the moment operates from JFK Terminal 8, which can be the terminal used primarily by American. So, as clients, ought to we stay up for the transfer to JFK Terminal One? I’ve just a few ideas:
- JFK Terminal 8 might be my favourite of the present terminals at JFK when it comes to it being a contemporary facility that’s not overcrowded; the Greenwich Lounge and the Soho Lounge that Qatar Airways at the moment sends passengers to are each fairly strong
- JFK Terminal One must be fairly snazzy, so for these merely originating or terminating in New York, the transfer will virtually actually be excellent news, as this actually must be a “subsequent era” expertise, much like what we’ve seen with the transformation at LaGuardia (LGA)
- The transfer isn’t nice when it comes to connections between American and Qatar Airways, since getting between Terminal 8 and Terminal One would require taking the AirTrain landside
- For some time it regarded like JFK Terminal 8 would actually turn out to be a consolidated oneworld hub, although with the brand new terminals opening, it’s comprehensible that airways are shifting to new terminals the place they’ll provide a greater expertise, devoted lounges, and extra
Backside line
Qatar Airways has introduced that it plans to maneuver to JFK Terminal One in 2026. Not solely that, however the airline shall be opening a roughly 15,000 sq. foot lounge, which must be distinctive. The lounge will even provide direct entry to the jet bridge for Qatar Airways flights.
Nevertheless, with Qatar Airways leaving Terminal 8, that additionally signifies that connections to and from American shall be a bit extra sophisticated.
What do you make of Qatar Airways shifting to JFK Terminal One?
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