JFK Offers Sneak Peek Of Terminal 6 On 1st Anniversary Of Groundbreaking

Summary

Terminal 6 at New York–JFK airport is a $4 billion facility expected to open in 2026.
The project will create 4,000 jobs and feature unique New York-inspired artwork.
Key elements include 10 gates, and a new baggage system and US customs facility.

One year after the groundbreaking of Terminal 6 at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), officials are giving a sneak peek of the more-than-$4-billion terminal. The facility, which is expected to initially open in two years, is part of a multi-billion dollar transformation project at JFK.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), which owns and operates the airport, says the new terminal will accommodate up to five airlines with a state-of-the-art automated baggage handling system. There will also be New York-inspired artwork and retail and dining spaces throughout the facility.

Animated rendering

PANYNJ chose JFK Millennium Partners (JMP) to build and operate the new terminal. To commemorate one year since its groundbreaking, the two parties shared a new animated rendering on Tuesday, showcasing what passengers will experience from the curb to the gate.

Rick Cotton, PANYNJ’s Executive Director, spoke about the terminal’s development.

“Watching the steel frame of a new Terminal 6 taking shape is a tangible sign that JFK’s transformation into a world-class global gateway is well underway. This magnificent new international terminal is a key component of the Port Authority’s $19 billion reimagining of John F. Kennedy International Airport, and it will bring unprecedented economic opportunities to the communities near the airport.”

“A world-class terminal”

At a price tag of $4.2 billion, Terminal 6 is expected to create over 4,000 jobs, including nearly 2,000 union construction jobs and direct wages of $1.9 billion, according to the authority. The facility will be developed in two phases, with the first five gates set to open in early 2026. The rest of the 1.2 million square feet terminal is expected to open in 2028. So far, Lufthansa is planning to operate its flights out of the terminal while “advanced discussions with other air carriers are underway,” PANYNJ said.

Photo: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

JMP interim CEO Steve Thody commented on the success of the terminal’s first year of construction.

“We’ve had a busy, truly successful first year building T6. In partnership with our design-build team at AECOM Hunt and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, we’ve assembled a strong, local workforce that is committed to achieving our 2024 milestones and building with the highest levels of quality and safety. We look forward to continued progress as we build a world-class terminal that international travelers will love, and all New Yorkers can soon call home.”

A facility for tomorrow

Retail and dining spaces will take up nearly 100,000 square feet of the terminal and will “create a unique New York sense of place.” Officials are working on selecting the concession and retail brands that will be in the facility, and an announcement will be made once they are chosen.

China Airlines Cargo Boeing 747-400F taking off from John F. Kennedy International Airport.

New Construction Facility Opens At JFK As Part Of $19 Billion Transformation

Operations at the facility are estimated to save over a million miles of truck travel to and from the airport.

Other features of the terminal include:

A total of 10 gates, with nine capable of handling widebody aircraft
A new automated baggage system, US customs facility, and the latest security screening technology
A lengthened departures curb – the longest at JFK – with passenger drop-off zones
As many as five airline lounges, including a new lounge for arrivals
Digital concierge services
New York City-inspired artwork featuring pieces by local and international artists

“To see our hard-working, talented team and partners develop the new JFK Terminal 6 from the ground up is tremendously exciting,” said George Casey, JMP chairman. “With each construction milestone and this one-year mark, we’re closer to welcoming passengers to an extraordinary new airport facility that will provide tremendous benefits to the local community, city, and state that Terminal 6 will proudly serve.”