(NEW YORK, NY) China Eastern will relocate its New York operations at JFK to the New Terminal One when the first phase of the new complex opens in 2026, marking a major step in the airport’s $19 billion redevelopment. The carrier will leave its current base at Terminal 1 once the new arrivals and departures halls and the first 14 gates come online, with the full terminal completion scheduled for 2030. The move positions China Eastern to serve New York–Shanghai passengers through a larger, more modern hub designed to handle long-haul international traffic with better space and services.
Until the first phase opens, China Eastern will continue to operate from the existing Terminal 1 at JFK. Airport construction will not interrupt current schedules, and tickets already sold for Terminal 1 remain unchanged. The New Terminal One will be built on the footprint of today’s Terminal 1 and the former Terminals 2 and 3, anchoring JFK’s south side and consolidating widebody operations under one roof.
China Eastern becomes the sixth SkyTeam carrier to commit to the New Terminal One, joining Air France, KLM, Korean Air, SAS, and China Airlines. The broader roster for the terminal also includes major international airlines such as Etihad, Turkish Airlines, Air New Zealand, Air China, and Qatar Airways. This clustering of long-haul carriers at JFK is aimed at improving connections for global travelers and giving airline partners shared access to larger lounges, common gate areas, and modern baggage systems.
Timeline and terminal features
The initial opening in 2026 will deliver new arrivals and departures halls and 14 gates. By 2030, the New Terminal One is planned to reach its full buildout with 23 gates and about 2.6 million square feet of space, making it the largest terminal at JFK. Project leaders say the facility will include modern technology, expanded retail and dining, and a strong focus on sustainability.
The goal is to meet top-tier global standards for international travel and support JFK’s growth over the next decade. Projected features include:
- Modern technology for passenger processing and baggage handling
- Expanded retail and dining options across a larger concourse
- A focus on sustainability in construction and operations
- Shared lounges and gate areas for alliance partners
- Design to handle peak widebody flight banks
For China Eastern customers, departures and arrivals will shift to the New Terminal One once the first phase opens. Travelers on the New York–Shanghai route should see clearer wayfinding, newer gate areas, and improved connectivity to partner airlines that share the same complex.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, placing multiple SkyTeam airlines together at the New Terminal One can reduce walking distances for transfers and make it easier to coordinate schedules across joint ventures and codeshares.
The terminal project is led by a consortium that includes Ferrovial, JLC Infrastructure, Ullico, and Carlyle. The companies have stated that construction will include strong participation from local and diverse businesses. The redevelopment replaces aging facilities with a single, larger terminal designed for today’s international demand and future growth.
Impact on travelers and operations
China Eastern will keep normal operations at Terminal 1 until the New Terminal One is ready. Passengers should check their flight details carefully in 2026 as airlines begin the staged move to the new complex. During that transition, some carriers could operate from both terminals on different days as gates open in phases, so clear communication from airlines will be important.
China Eastern has not announced changes to its flight frequency tied to the move; the relocation is focused on facilities and passenger experience rather than schedules.
The New Terminal One’s design aims to streamline the flow of international passengers. With larger halls and new systems, the airport expects easier movement from check-in to gate and from aircraft to landside. Benefits include:
- Wider corridors and modern signage to ease movement for families and elderly travelers
- Upgraded lounges and gate seating for business travelers seeking work space
- Modernized baggage systems to handle heavy long-haul loads more smoothly
- Shorter check-in lines during peak hours because of expanded departures halls
While the terminal will be new, the basic steps of international travel remain the same. Passengers should:
- Ensure passports are valid for the required period.
- Obtain any necessary visas before departure.
- Follow standard airline security and U.S. entry rules.
The carrier’s relocation does not change U.S. entry rules or security procedures. It changes where China Eastern passengers will check in and board at JFK, and where they will arrive when returning to the United States 🇺🇸.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey oversees the JFK redevelopment, with construction phases scheduled to keep daily operations running across the airport. For official project details, see the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s JFK Redevelopment page. The agency has framed the New Terminal One as a core element of JFK’s renewal, which also includes improvements to roads, parking, and airside areas aimed at easing bottlenecks.
Practical tips for travelers as 2026 approaches
Travelers should plan for a few key points as the 2026 opening approaches:
- Check your terminal assignment on your boarding pass and airline app before leaving for JFK.
- Leave extra time during the early months of the move, as staff and passengers adjust to new layouts.
- Follow posted signs for China Eastern counters and gates as sections of the terminal open in stages.
- Expect continued operations at Terminal 1 until China Eastern announces the exact switchover date in 2026.
- Be aware that some carriers may operate from both terminals during the phased opening.
Longer-term outlook (through 2030)
The New Terminal One’s long-term build to 2030 means passengers will see a growing facility over several years. Early phases bring essential functions—arrivals and departures halls and 14 gates—while later phases add more gates, concessions, and lounges to reach 23 gates and 2.6 million square feet.
Airlines commit to new terminals years in advance to secure gate rights and align investments in lounges, IT, and ground services. China Eastern’s decision signals confidence in the New Terminal One’s timeline and in its role within SkyTeam at JFK. For the airport, grouping carriers in a single complex can reduce overlap in support services and free up space in older terminals for other uses or redevelopment.
China Eastern’s move also ties into New York’s broader effort to modernize aging airport infrastructure. JFK’s south side will shift from a patchwork of older buildings to one large terminal with shared systems built for long-haul demand. If executed on schedule, passengers flying China Eastern from JFK should start using the New Terminal One in 2026, with growing capacity and amenities through 2030 as the complex reaches full scale.
This Article in a Nutshell
China Eastern will relocate its JFK operations to New Terminal One when Phase 1 opens in 2026, becoming the sixth SkyTeam carrier to commit to the complex. Phase 1 will open with new arrivals and departures halls and 14 gates; the terminal will reach 23 gates and about 2.6 million square feet by 2030. The redevelopment, part of JFK’s $19 billion master plan led by a consortium including Ferrovial, JLC Infrastructure, Ullico, and Carlyle, aims to improve long‑haul connectivity, shared lounges, modern baggage systems, and sustainability. China Eastern will operate from the current Terminal 1 until the staged opening, and passengers should check terminal assignments and allow extra time during the transition. The move focuses on facilities and passenger experience rather than flight frequency changes, and it is expected to streamline transfers and enhance services for New York–Shanghai travelers.
