New York John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) is currently undergoing a major redevelopment. As part of this, in 2026, we’re supposed to see the opening of the new Terminal One and Terminal 6 (I know the inconsistent branding is strange, but it’s called “Terminal One” to differentiate it from the existing Terminal 1, which is undergoing a redevelopment, while there’s not currently a Terminal 6).
In recent times, we’ve seen a countless number of announcements about which airlines will fly out of these airports, and which lounges we can expect. Along those lines, here’s the latest detail to be revealed.
In this post:
Two Plaza Premium Lounges coming to JFK Terminal One
Plans have been announced for lounge operator Plaza Premium to open two lounge facilities at the new JFK Terminal One. Combined, the two lounges will cover nearly 14,000 square feet.
The first of these lounges will be located airside (after security), and will be a Plaza Premium First Lounge. For those not familiar, this is an elevated Plaza Premium concept, and this will be the first such lounge in the United States. The 9,300 square foot lounge will be open 24/7, and will offer a la carte dining, a full bar with bartender cocktails, and more. Plaza Premium First Lounges are typically available as either contract lounges for premium airline passengers, or with select credit cards in conjunction with a cash co-pay.
The second of these lounges will be located landside (before security), in the arrivals hall. This is intended as either an arrivals or departures lounge. The 4,200 square foot lounge will feature a buffet, a full bar, showers, and a business center. Presumably it will follow standard Plaza Premium Lounge access rules. To my knowledge, this might just be the only (sort of) arrivals lounge in the United States.
Full list of JFK Terminal One airlines & lounges
For context on JFK Terminal One, when it opens, it’s expected to be home to a variety of airlines, including Air France, Air New Zealand, Air Serbia, China Airlines, EgyptAir, Etihad, EVA Air, Gulf Air, LOT Polish Airlines, KLM, Korean Air, Neos, Philippine Airlines, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, SAS, and Turkish Airlines.
The terminal is expected to have a total of six lounges, including four lounges operated by airlines and representing all three major alliances, plus two independent lounges.
In addition to the two Plaza Premium locations, there have been official announcements of Korean Air, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines, also opening lounges in the terminal. That leaves one more lounge operator, which hasn’t yet been officially announced.
I have to imagine that the last airline operated lounge will be from Air France, as there’s no way the airline would be happy sending its customers to a third party lounge at such an important airport. Furthermore, when you combine the presence of Air France, KLM, and SAS, it seems reasonable that the airline would get first dibs on lounge space.
So I’d say that’s a solid selection of lounges, though unfortunately it sounds like Terminal One won’t have any airside Priority Pass lounges, and/or non-airline lounges accessible without a co-pay.
Bottom line
The new JFK Terminal One will be opening in 2026, and will feature a total of six lounges. While four of them will be run by airlines, we’ve now learned the details of the two that won’t be airline operated. Plaza Premium got the contract for both of these lounges, and the plans call for an airside Plaza Premium First Lounge, plus a standard landside Plaza Premium Lounge, which will double as an arrivals lounge.
What do you make of Plaza Premium’s plans for JFK Terminal One?
At least this should partially solve the crowding issues at the Chase Sapphire/Etihad lounge in Terminal 4
The head of the Terminal One project confirmed in an interview ~1-2 months ago that AF would be taking one of the lounge spaces.
I like the co-pay idea, but I fear that if this is the only credit card lounge inside security, the fee will have to be very high to keep crowding down.
will there be a new VIP One which takes you through expedited security?
IMO this is much more valuable than the standard lounge and should be standard in every airport terminal.
@ FF -- It would indeed be nice, but sadly not, as far as I know. On the plus side, hopefully security at the new Terminal One is less of a disaster than at the current Terminal 1.
Isn't Air China supposed to open a lounge at Terminal One?
@ Mike O. -- I hadn't heard that, and I'd be surprised if that were the case, given the carrier's limited service to the airport. Is there an announcement I missed?
I could've sworn reading something on Air China opening a lounge at JFK, or maybe I was just tripping...
And while not yet official, it's all but guaranteed for AF/KL to have their own lounge.
Is JFK T1 being rebranded as Terminal One? Very confusing!
@ yoloswag420 -- If I'm understanding this whole project correctly, the plan is to open the new Terminal One with the first phase, then tear down the old Terminal 1, and by 2030 have an even bigger terminal, including a new terminal built in the space of the old terminal.
I guess you’re American. How can that be confusing ?
Confusing because for at least a short period, there will be both Terminal 1 and Terminal One that are two separate terminals.