The old adage “Rome wasn’t built in a day” serves as a reminder that it takes time to create something truly great. And that is certainly the case with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s ongoing $19 billion transformation of JFK International Airport into a world-class gateway, which will include two new terminals, the modernization and expansion of two existing terminals, a new ground transportation center, and a completely new, simplified roadway network.
With its two major new terminals set to open in 2026, travelers into and out of JFK International Airport are only a year away from enjoying the upgrades and modernization of Kennedy Airport that are designed to enhance every traveler’s experience at the largest international gateway in the USA.
The New Terminal One (NTO) is a key component of the massive transformation at JFK. The construction of the NTO is taking place in phases, on sites now occupied by Terminal 1 and the former Terminals 2 and 3, where it will anchor the south side of the airport.
At the completion of its first phase (Phase A), opening in June 2026, the NTO’s 3-level facility will encompass over 95 acres, 1.8 million sq. ft, 14 wide-body gates, a 14 million annual passenger capacity, and more than 120,000 sq. ft. of concession space. Upon its full completion in 2030, the New Terminal One will be the largest international terminal at JFK, a 2.6 million-square-foot facility featuring a total of 23 wide-body gates and over 300,000 sq. ft. of dining, retail, lounges, and recreational space.
At a June event announcing China Airlines as a tenant in the NTO, Jennifer Aument, CEO of the New Terminal One said that the NTO will be the new home for at least 15 of the world’s leading airlines, including, Air France, KLM, Etihad, LOT, Korean Air, EVA Air, AirSerbia, SAS, Neos, Phillippine Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Air New Zealand, Air China, and Royal Air Morac when the first phase of the NTO opens.
After the China Airlines announcement, which took place at the TWA Hotel, Jennifer Aument led one of the last hardhat tours of the NTO before it opens in June 2026, less than a year away.
The New Terminal One: An International Only Terminal
Upon arrival at the construction site of the NTO for a behind-the-scenes, safety-first tour, one’s initial impression of it comes with the ‘Wow! Factor’ for its spectacular size, its expansive glass curtain wall and a sloping roof that meets at the building’s center; a structure whose design is said to be inspired by a butterfly.
As Aument led the tour, she emphasized that the New Terminal One at JFK will be an exclusively international terminal. While solely serving international flights, the many extraordinary guest experiences to come at the NTO will facilitate a seamless guest journey from curb to gate. Part of the journey will involve the use of cutting-edge technology, including biometric scanning, a centralized security checkpoint, and airside technology, to enhance operational efficiency and minimize flight delays.
Partnerships with federal government partners deliver a best-in-class experience at security and customs. There will be amenities for passengers requiring assistance, including dedicated lounges, drop-off, and pick-up areas.
An Extraordinary Guest Experience Awaits
The terminal is designed to offer a seamless and enjoyable passenger experience, featuring expansive, naturally lit public spaces, bright and airy check-in halls, indoor green spaces, and welcoming arrival areas. There will be a diverse array of retail and dining options, including international brands and locally owned concessions that showcase the diversity of New York, as well as locally inspired public art displayed throughout the passenger journey, providing a powerful sense of place that is distinctly New York.
The NTO’s future baggage claim area, located in the basement, will be accessible from the arrivals hall and will be equipped with donut-shaped lighting fixtures to enhance the space’s ambiance.
The New Terminal One will integrate with the existing AirTrain system at JFK via a climate-controlled bridge that will connect the station to the NTO.
Sustainability’s Positive Impact
Through construction and state-of-the-art operational capabilities, there is a commitment to resiliency and sustainability at the NTO, with features that include rainwater capture for landscape irrigation and an integrated microgrid infrastructure that will deliver sustainable and locally generated energy with the largest rooftop solar array in New York City and on any airport terminal in the nation. This will enable full resiliency and maintenance of 100% airport operations in the event of power disruptions. Additionally, all-electric Ground Support Equipment (eGSE) will allow the NTO to become the first airport terminal in the world to operate a centralized fleet of all-electric eGSE.
A Positive for the Community
In addition to creating an ultra-modern, exceptional experience for travelers at JFK, the NTO is expected to create over 10,000 total jobs, including approximately 6,000 union construction jobs, as well as opportunities for local residents, local firms, and businesses in Queens.
Upon the completion and opening of Phase A of the New Terminal One in June 2026, work will begin on the demolition of the existing, currently operational Terminal 1. Phase B, the NTO’s next phase, will bring an additional nine gates, scheduled to open in 2030.
With the groundbreaking of the New Terminal One in September 2022, the steel erection of the headhouse started in July 2023 and topped off in March 2024, its East pier topped off the following August, the beginning of microgrid construction in September, a watertight headhouse in December, and the delivery of its first space to tenant in April 2025, it is truly awe-inspiring that in the course of three years, the opening of the first phase of the NTO is less than a year away. And while the adage “Rome wasn’t built in a day” still holds true in giving perspective to the incredible build of what will be a brand new ‘WOW! Terminal’, remember what the great mayor, Fiorello La Guardia, of New York City once said when he nicknamed the two lions in front of the New York Public Library, ‘Patience’ and Fortitude’…a reminder that these qualities were essential for New Yorkers to endure during the hardships and the inconvenience that often may come with the creation of something great.
