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JFK's New Terminal One won't open until early 2027, delaying six new lounges
The first phase of JFK's New Terminal One now opens in the first quarter of 2027 instead of 2026. That pushes back new lounges from Air France, Qatar Airways, Korean Air, Turkish Airlines and Plaza Premium.
By Patrick Karsh, Founder, Lounge Frog ·
Page updated October 2026.
Travelers hoping to use JFK's New Terminal One this year will have to wait. The terminal's operator told The Points Guy on September 15 that the first phase now won't open until the first quarter of 2027. The terminal had hoped to open at some point in 2026, according to TPG's report.
A spokesperson said the team wants to make sure every system is fully tested before opening day. The terminal is finishing construction and preparing to operate with its airlines and shops.
A long road to opening
The New Terminal One is being built on the south side of JFK. It will replace the current Terminal 1, plus the space where Terminals 2 and 3 once stood. When complete, it will cover 2.6 million square feet.
The opening date has slipped several times:
- Original plan: June 2026
- This spring: pushed to late 2026
- Now: the first quarter of 2027
The first phase will have 13 gates, plus one temporary gate. After it opens, the old Terminal 1 will be torn down. Then work starts on a second phase with nine more gates.
The lounges that are now delayed
The New Terminal One is planned to hold six lounges. Four belong to airlines, and two are run by Plaza Premium. All of them now wait for the new opening date. Here is what has been announced:
- Air France: a lounge of about 29,000 square feet over two levels, with more than 400 seats and a separate La Première area. Air France says it will be the largest lounge in its international network. We covered the plans here.
- Qatar Airways: about 15,000 square feet. It will be Qatar's first lounge of its own in the US.
- Korean Air: about 16,000 square feet, at the end of the terminal's east pier, with views of the airfield.
- Turkish Airlines: a new flagship lounge for the terminal.
- Plaza Premium: two lounges, including a Plaza Premium First lounge. The lounge operator hasn't said which will be open to Priority Pass members.
None of these have firm opening dates beyond "when the terminal opens."
Where to wait at JFK until then
For now, the current lounges stay open. If your airline is moving to the New Terminal One, here is where you wait today:
- Air France: the Air France Lounge in Terminal 1. It seats about 150, has two showers and is rated 4.1 out of 5 by our users. It is also open to Priority Pass members.
- Korean Air: the Korean Air Lounge in Terminal 1, rated 2.8.
- Turkish Airlines: the Turkish Airlines Lounge in Terminal 1, rated 3.9. It is also open to Priority Pass members.
- Qatar Airways: Qatar flies from Terminal 8 today, where oneworld premium passengers can use American's Greenwich and Soho lounges.
If you have Priority Pass, Terminal 1 also has the Primeclass Lounge, rated 4.8.
JFK's other new terminal
The New Terminal One isn't the only big build at JFK. A new Terminal 6 is also under construction on the north side of the airport. JetBlue, United and many Star Alliance airlines, including Air Canada, ANA, Lufthansa and Swiss, are expected to move there. TPG reports that Terminal 6 has also run later than first planned.
Once both terminals open, JFK's lounge map will look very different. We'll update our JFK airport page as each lounge opens.
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