Governor Hochul, the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, American Airlines and British Airways Announce Completion of JFK's First Redevelopment Project at Terminal 8

Governor Kathy Hochul, the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, American Airlines and British Airways today announced the opening of a newly expanded Terminal 8, marking completion of the first phase of the historic JFK Vision Plan that is transforming the international airport into a world-class global hub.

"The completion of Terminal 8 is the latest milestone in our historic efforts to build a whole new JFK worthy of New York," Governor Hochul said. "I congratulate American Airlines, British Airways and the Port Authority for the first of what will be many milestones to come. We will continue our close partnerships as we transform JFK into a magnificent global gateway that will help to keep New York at the center of the world stage."

The $400 million, privately financed expansion and modernization will allow British Airways to move from its long-time home in Terminal 7 and co-locate with American Airlines in Terminal 8. The 60-year-old Terminal 7 will be demolished to clear space for a new Terminal 6 that will begin construction early next year.

Operational enhancements of Terminal 8 include five new widebody gates, four new widebody parking positions, and an expanded and upgraded baggage handling system that will together support additional transatlantic flights. The terminal has also been expanded with approximately 130,000 square feet of additional and refurbished space.

Terminal 8's expansion is a critical component of the JFK Vision Plan that is transforming the airport into what will be one of the world's finest international gateways with a 21st century customer experience and increased connectivity for travelers. The move by British Airways will bring the storied carrier closer to its partner airlines when Terminal 8 becomes home to eight oneworld® Alliance carriers. Iberia plans to move into Terminal 8 on Dec. 1, and Japan Airlines expects to move its operations to Terminal 8 in May 2023.

Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton said, "This inspiring expansion of Terminal 8, fostering superb hourly services between JFK and London, is an example of what's to come at JFK, where our vision for a world-class, 21st century airport is now unfolding from one end of the airport to the other. Thanks to the investment made by American Airlines and British Airways, Terminal 8 - with five new wide body gates - offers an improved passenger experience and expanded capacity for transatlantic travel to and from JFK. This investment by our private partners at Terminal 8 is a vote of confidence in the future of the airport and of the JFK region."

Port Authority Chairman Kevin O'Toole said, "Today, we celebrate the expansion of Terminal 8, which is the first of many more great things to come at JFK. Just as we've done at Newark and LaGuardia, the Port Authority and our private partners are successfully building the modern airports that the region deserves."

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said, "We are thrilled to welcome our long-standing joint business partner, British Airways, as it joins American and other oneworld partners at Terminal 8. As part of our investment to transform JFK into a leading global airport, we are excited to offer customers expanded terminal space, new check-in areas and elegant lounges."

British Airways Chairman and CEO Sean Doyle said, "We announced our joint investment early in 2019 so it is an honor to reach this significant milestone with our business partner, American Airlines. From December 1, our customers and colleagues will be able to enjoy all the benefits that Terminal 8 has to offer."

Premium customers traveling on both airlines will now be able to enjoy an elevated travel experience at Terminal 8. Upon arrival, premium customers will be greeted at the brand new co-branded premium check-in area, which will provide personalized, concierge-style service. Thoughtfully designed architectural elements also define an exclusive check-in space for eligible customers.

Once through security, three distinctive lounges; Chelsea, Soho and Greenwich, combine the best of both brands and provide a refined, welcoming pre-flight experience for eligible customers based on cabin of travel and loyalty program status. The two brand new lounges — Chelsea and Soho — have been designed with original high-end finishes, evoking a unique sense of space while elevating the experience and service offered to every guest.

Terminal 8 will also be undergoing a major concessions upgrade across the terminal over the next 18 months, including locally-inspired food and beverage options.

The co-location of American Airlines and British Airways at Terminal 8 supports the Port Authority's mission to create greater connectivity for passengers at a transformed and more unified JFK.

The Terminal 8 project involved the work of more than 115 unique minority- and women-owned businesses that were awarded contracts totaling more than $161 million, exceeding the Port Authority's commitment to at least 30 percent MWBE participation at the agency's capital projects. Local businesses were awarded nearly $33 million in contracts at Terminal 8.

Representative Gregory W. Meeks said, "The JFK Airport Terminal 8 expansion details the significance of international travel and infrastructure development in New York. JFK Airport is our country's door to the world. This project encourages global travel along with supporting New York's changing economy by providing people with real career opportunities, while still investing in sustainable aviation practices. The continued investment in JFK redevelopment certainly makes it a premier global gateway."

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. said, "The successful redesigning and reimagining of Terminal 8 is just one of the ways we have been making real progress toward making JFK the single greatest airport in the world. Along with new gates, new amenities, and new lounges, the upgrading of Terminal 8 has also brought new employment and contracting opportunities for Queens residents and businesses. I offer my deepest thanks to Governor Hochul and the Port Authority, to American Airlines and British Airways, to the workers who completed these upgrades, and to my JFK Redevelopment Council Co-Chair Greg Meeks and everyone else who made this project happen."

Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York President Gary LaBarbera said, "This expansion of Terminal 8 at JFK International Airport represents the completion of a portion of this critical, large-scale redevelopment plan that continues to play a crucial role in revitalizing New York's economic recovery and creating good paying, middle class careers with benefits. Completing these projects will open a gateway to a new era in New York and we celebrate being a step closer in fully modernizing JFK International Airport into the exemplary, world-class transportation hub that New Yorkers, and our visitors, truly deserve."

Transforming JFK Into a World-Class Global Gateway

In January 2017, the JFK Vision Plan was announced to transform John F. Kennedy International Airport into the world-class airport that New Yorkers deserve. The Vision Plan provides a strategic framework for the Port Authority and its partners to completely redevelop, modify and expand existing facilities and infrastructure. The newly expanded Terminal 8 builds on the momentum of the other three major components of the airport's transformation now underway.

• The $9.5 billion development of a state-of-the-art New Terminal One that will anchor the airport's south side broke ground in September 2022.
• The $1.5 billion expansion of Terminal 4, led by Delta Air Lines and JFK International Air Terminal, was approved in the spring of 2021, broke ground in the fall of 2021 and is now under construction with completion expected in the fall of next year.

The $4.2 billion development of a new Terminal 6, which will connect seamlessly to Terminal 5 to anchor the airport's north side, achieved financial close earlier this month, securing full private financing for the project, and will begin construction in the next 90 days.

All of the privately financed terminal projects combined with the Port Authority's roadway, parking and infrastructure projects represent an $18 billion transformation of JFK International and an extraordinary series of public-private partnerships. The Port Authority capital investment of $2.9 billion is leveraging private investment at a rate of more than five to one when taking into account the full private investment of more than $15 billion that has been committed to the four projects comprising the full JFK redevelopment program.

Redeveloping JFK Airport in Lockstep with the Local Community

In 2018, the JFK Redevelopment Community Advisory Council was formed. It is co-chaired by U.S. Representative Gregory Meeks and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, and is composed of 42 elected officials, community boards, business and nonprofit organizations, civic organizations, and clergy leaders from the targeted local communities of Southeast Queens, Southwest Queens, the Rockaways, and western portions of Nassau County.

Since its inception, the Council has been working with the Port Authority to expand community outreach efforts and develop community-focused programs, ensuring that this ambitious project solicits ongoing feedback from local stakeholders and provides meaningful opportunities for the community surrounding the airport, including local businesses, MWBEs, students, and jobseekers.

This includes programming to advance the Port Authority's commitment to a 30 percent MWBE contracting goal in all categories of work, and a special focus on opportunities for local businesses across all aspects of the JFK Redevelopment program, including the Terminal 8 project, which was built by union labor under a full project-labor agreement. Other community development initiatives prioritized by the Council focus on job opportunities and workforce development programs for local residents, small business outreach and development, and educational programming for local students.