JFK Terminal One Adds Two New Lounges, Including Rare Arrivals Lounge

(New York) New York JFK is racing toward a major milestone: the new Terminal One will debut its first phase in summer 2026 with six premium lounges, including two new Plaza Premium Group spaces and Qatar Airways’ first-ever U.S. lounge. With the external building now sealed and interior work accelerating, operators and airlines are preparing a new standard for comfort, service, and design across the terminal’s 2.6 million square feet.

Landside arrivals lounge — a rare U.S. feature

The biggest near-term news for travelers is the arrival of a rare landside arrivals lounge at New York JFK — a feature long common in Europe but still uncommon in the United States.

• Plaza Premium Group will operate both:
  • a landside arrivals lounge (showers and freshening facilities), and
  • a 24/7, 9,300-square-foot airside lounge.
• These lounges add flexible access options for flyers not tied to a single airline.
• The landside lounge gives weary long‑haul passengers a place to shower and reset after overnight flights before heading into the city — an amenity frequent travelers have requested for years.

Consortium, construction status, and timeline

The Terminal One Consortium — led by Ferrovial, JLC Infrastructure, Ullico, and Carlyle — is working with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to deliver the first phase in 2026.

Key construction points:
– Phase 1 opening: Summer 2026, with 14 gates and more than 50% of JFK’s widebody capacity concentrated in Terminal One.
– Terminal footprint: 2.6 million sq. ft. upon full build-out, expanding to 23 gates by 2030 (the largest terminal at JFK by footprint).
– Current status: External structure completed and sealed; interior build-out and fit-outs for over 60 retail spaces and multiple lounges are in progress.
– System testing: Scheduled for late 2025.
– Project emphasis: shift from heavy construction to interior handover for retail and airline partners.

The lounge program is an early barometer of the terminal’s ambitions: premium airline spaces and common‑use lounges aim to reduce crowding and raise service standards.

Qatar Airways and airline-specific lounges

Qatar Airways will anchor the airline-specific offering with a 15,000-square-foot lounge designed for Business Class and eligible oneworld customers. Features include:

• Direct gate access (shorter walks)
• Premium dining
• Relaxation zones
• Prayer rooms
• Children’s play area
• VIP check-in
• Integrated duty-free options

Qatar frames this as a showcase for delivering a “World’s Best” ground experience aligned with its onboard service. Korean Air, Air France, and Turkish Airlines are also building new lounges, rounding out a lineup intended to reduce crowding and tighten service standards.

Plaza Premium Group details and access notes

Plaza Premium Group’s contributions:
– Airside lounge: 9,300 sq. ft., 24/7, a la carte dining, full bar, and the operator’s Infinity Room concept.
– Landside arrivals lounge: showers and freshening-up facilities for inbound passengers.

Access and pricing:
– Final access details, day pass pricing, and network eligibility are still being set.
– The operator has indicated that clear guidance will be available ahead of the terminal opening.
– No credit card-branded lounges are slated for opening day; airline lounges and Plaza Premium spaces will be the primary options at launch.

Practical passenger benefits

The lounge expansion offers several practical benefits across traveler types:

• Reduces overcrowding at peak times by spreading passengers across more spaces.
• Arrivals lounge helps immigrants, returning residents, business travelers, students, and families decompress after long flights and long processing lines.
• Provides a place to shower, change, and eat before heading into the city — especially valuable for those arriving early morning or facing long onward journeys.
• Improves options during delays or late-night arrivals by offering consistent, 24/7 amenities.

For many travelers, a shower and a meal after a long flight can transform the first hours of a trip.

Technology, sustainability, and operations

Design and operations highlights:
– Focus on flexible operations and passenger flow: biometric systems, advanced CT scanners, and adaptable spaces.
– Sustainability features: solar panels and energy-efficient systems, with performance tracked through operational data.
– Coordination across agencies: extensive collaboration with TSA, CBP, the Port Authority, and airline tenants to reduce bottlenecks and improve movement through the building.
– Electric ground support equipment to lower apron emissions.

Lounge access and passenger impact — quick reference

• Plaza Premium airside lounge: 9,300 sq. ft., 24/7, a la carte dining, full bar, Infinity Room.
• Plaza Premium landside arrivals lounge: showers and freshening-up facilities.
• Qatar Airways lounge: 15,000 sq. ft., direct boarding, VIP check-in, premium dining, relaxation zones, prayer rooms, children’s play area, integrated duty-free.
• Other airline lounges: Korean Air, Air France, Turkish Airlines — additional airline-specific spaces planned.
• Access policy status: Final pricing and eligibility for common-use lounges to be announced closer to opening; no credit card-branded lounges expected at launch.

Common-use lounges typically balance entry paths such as:
1. Day passes
2. Partner airline invitations
3. Membership programs

Plaza Premium Group historically uses these methods to manage crowding and maintain service levels.

Operational questions ahead of opening

Important operational matters that will be clarified before launch:
– Will pre-booking be required during peak hours?
– How will walk-ins be handled when multiple long-haul flights arrive simultaneously?
– Will concierge or meet-and-greet options integrate with lounge access for door-to-door support?

Early guidance suggests both booking and walk-in options are under consideration, supported by concierge services.

Broader program context and inclusion goals

• Terminal One is part of a $19 billion transformation of New York JFK that aims to rival leading global hubs in service and design.
• The Port Authority and Terminal One partners highlighted diversity and local inclusion, with more than 32% of a 2025 bond issuance syndicate allocated to minority and women-owned business enterprises.
• Stakeholders stress operational readiness: the building is weathertight, handovers are underway, and system testing is scheduled for late 2025 to prepare for the summer 2026 openings.

Why this matters for travelers and airlines

• For passengers: shorter walks, calmer pre-boarding areas, stronger options during disruptions, and more consistent premium ground services.
• For airlines: lounges serve as a competitive stage for premium loyalty, with flagship spaces (like Qatar’s) signaling investment in passenger experience.
• For the region: the project showcases public‑private partnership, sustainability, technology, and community inclusion.

Where to get official updates

For official project updates, including construction milestones and terminal features, travelers can check the Port Authority’s New Terminal One page at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey: Port Authority – JFK New Terminal One.

As of now, Terminal One remains on track for its summer 2026 debut with six lounges slated for the first phase, including the two Plaza Premium Group common‑use spaces and several airline‑branded lounges led by Qatar Airways’ flagship. For travelers planning 2026 trips, watch for official lounge updates and airline communications as the opening draws closer.