Azores Airlines Backs JFK’s New Terminal One Initiative

(NEW YORK, UNITED STATES) Azores Airlines said it will move its check-in, gates and passenger services at John F. Kennedy International Airport to the New Terminal One when the building opens in 2026, a step that ties a small Atlantic archipelago more tightly to New York’s busy immigration and travel hub. The Portuguese carrier, owned by the Azores autonomous region, currently flies nonstop from JFK to Ponta Delgada and said those flights will continue from the new facility.

For many Portuguese-American families, the shift signals a smoother start to trips home. It also comes as JFK rebuilds for higher demand.

Current service and aircraft

Azores Airlines now operates up to 6 weekly nonstop flights on Airbus A321neo jets. Each aircraft configuration includes:

• 16 Business Class seats
• 170 Economy Class seats

The route links Queens with Ponta Delgada’s John Paul II Airport (PDL) and is popular with visitors who use the airline’s stopover program to spend a few days in the Azores before continuing to mainland Portugal or other parts of Europe.

Airline officials say the New Terminal One location should make connections easier because most international partners will be gathered in one modern space rather than spread across older buildings after the terminal opens.

Quotes and objectives

Jennifer Aument, chief executive officer of The New Terminal One at JFK, framed the deal as part of a wider push to bring both large and niche airlines under one roof.

“We are thrilled to welcome Azores Airlines to the New Terminal One and to strengthen New York’s connection with the Azores,” she said.
“This partnership underscores our commitment to serving a diverse community of global airlines.”
Aument added that the team wants “to elevate the experience” for passengers and “to introduce travelers to the natural wonders of the Azores.”

The airline said it expects a seamless move once the terminal is ready.

Other carriers committing to New Terminal One

Azores Airlines is joining a growing roster of carriers that have committed to the project, including:

• Air France
• KLM
• Korean Air
• SAS
• China Airlines
• EGYPTAIR
• China Eastern
• LOT Polish Airlines
• EVA Air
• Air Serbia
• Neos
• Philippine Airlines
• Turkish Airlines
• Air New Zealand
• Royal Air Maroc
• Air China
• Gulf Air
• Qatar Airways

For immigrant families, that clustering matters because smoother transfers can cut missed-connection risks that sometimes lead to overstays, rebooking costs, or extra nights in New York. The terminal operator did not give a date for each airline’s move-in. Construction teams aim to phase airlines in as areas open.

New Terminal One: scope and timeline

When fully completed in 2030, New Terminal One is set to be JFK’s largest terminal, featuring:

• 23 gates
• Expansive departures and arrivals halls
• Built on the sites of the current Terminal One, the recently closed Terminal Two, and the former Terminal Three

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey describes the work as part of a $19 billion transformation of John F. Kennedy International Airport. The broader plan also includes:

• A second new terminal
• Upgrades to existing terminals
• A new ground transportation center
• A rebuilt roadway network

Developers have compared planned retail streets to Fifth Avenue.

Immigration, trusted traveler programs, and traveler impact

For international passengers, the terminal swap is not just about new shops and shorter walks. JFK is one of the main entry points where U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers decide who can enter the country, whether a traveler is a tourist, student, worker, or returning resident.

Travelers who qualify for trusted traveler screening may follow updates through CBP’s GlobalEntry program: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry, which can reduce time in inspection lines.

However:

• Entry decisions remain case-by-case
• A new building does not change visa rules or passport checks

Azores-bound passengers with mixed-status families say predictability at the airport matters as much as price.

Community use and immigration stress

Portuguese and Azorean communities in New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey have long used the direct link to:

• Visit relatives
• Attend funerals
• Bring children to meet grandparents

These trips can carry immigration stress for those still waiting on green cards or new visas. Airline schedules and terminal layouts can affect whether a traveler makes a same-day connection or must rebook, sometimes triggering questions at the next border crossing.

The airline and terminal operator did not provide passenger interviews or case studies with the announcement, but travel agents said demand for summer seats remains high each year on this route.

Stopover program and market dynamics

Azores Airlines markets its stopover as a way to split a long trip into two shorter ones, which can help travelers who worry about tight transit times or who need to show onward plans at check-in.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, airlines serving smaller islands often rely on diaspora travel, and changes in airport infrastructure can shape which routes survive downturns. The carrier’s A321neo cabins, with lie-flat style Business Class seats on some configurations and a large Economy section, fit the pattern of family travel mixed with business and seasonal tourism from Europe to the United States each year.

Operational benefits and construction impacts

Airport operators aim to reduce crowding that can spill into long waits at immigration inspection, especially on mornings when several widebody flights arrive at once. New Terminal One’s developers say the project will bring:

• Larger halls for arrivals and departures
• Modern baggage systems
• More space for queues

Azores Airlines passengers today use older facilities at JFK, where gate changes and tight hallways are common complaints during peak periods. The Port Authority has said the broader rebuild aims to keep JFK competitive with other global gateways in 2026.

Because the terminal will be built on top of existing sites, construction will happen in stages, and airlines will shift as areas are finished. The phased approach can mean temporary changes in:

• Curbside drop-off
• Shuttle buses
• Walking routes

These details matter to elderly travelers and families with strollers. Azores Airlines said its goal is to keep its New York service steady through the transition, maintaining the link between Ponta Delgada and New York City while the airport adds the new ground transportation center and roadway network.

For now, tickets and days remain unchanged.

Key takeaway: Azores Airlines will relocate its JFK operations to New Terminal One in 2026, aiming to improve connections and passenger experience while JFK undergoes a phased, multi-year rebuild through 2030.