JFK’s New Terminal One Opens This Year. Here Is Which Airlines Are Moving and What to Check

John F. Kennedy International Airport is in the middle of its largest makeover in a generation, and the centerpiece is almost ready. The New Terminal One, a 2.6 million square foot international hall rising on the south side of the airport, is scheduled to open its first phase in 2026, and a long list of overseas airlines will shift there from older terminals in the months that follow. If you are flying internationally through JFK this summer or fall, the terminal printed on a ticket you bought months ago may not be the terminal you actually use.

JFK is the busiest gateway for international travel in the United States, so a change on this scale touches a lot of trips. The long term payoff is real, with more space, a modern security hall, and lounges built for long haul flying. The short term catch is the transition itself, when gates move in phases and the terminal on your boarding pass becomes the single most important detail to confirm before you leave home.

What the New Terminal One actually is

The New Terminal One is a ground up replacement for JFK’s aging international facilities, rising on the south side of the airport where older terminals are being cleared away. According to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the project is valued at about $9.5 billion and sits inside a broader redevelopment program the agency puts near $19 billion, which also covers the new Terminal 6, upgrades at Terminal 4, work at Terminal 8, and rebuilt roadways. When the full terminal is finished, it will be the largest at JFK at about 2.6 million square feet.

The opening arrives in phases. The first phase brings a new headhouse, an arrivals and departures hall, and the terminal’s first widebody gates, about 14 of them, with later phases continuing through the end of the decade toward a total near 23 gates. Industry coverage from Simple Flying describes a hall built around wide spaces, natural light, and a large central security checkpoint, while a recent walkthrough by The Points Guy highlights interiors trimmed with public art and local design touches. That phased approach is why the move will feel gradual rather than overnight, with airlines arriving over time instead of all at once.

Which airlines are moving, and which are not

More than 20 international airlines have committed to the New Terminal One, and the roster reads like a who’s who of long haul flying. Confirmed movers include Air France, KLM, Korean Air, Turkish Airlines, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, China Airlines, EVA Air, Air China, China Eastern, Philippine Airlines, SAS, LOT Polish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Royal Air Maroc, Gulf Air, and Air New Zealand, among others. The Mexican low cost carrier Viva Aerobus has also signed on, a sign the terminal is reaching beyond traditional full service brands. Many of these carriers rank among the best airlines for long flights, and the new building is designed around that premium, long haul experience.

These airlines are scattered across JFK today, with many in the existing Terminal 1 and others spread elsewhere on the field. The point of the New Terminal One is to pull them together under one roof with shared gates, a larger security checkpoint, and flagship lounges from Korean Air, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines. It is worth being clear about what is not changing. This relocation is concentrated among international carriers, so most domestic flying at JFK, including JetBlue at Terminal 5, is not part of the move.

What a terminal change means for your trip

A new terminal is good news in the long run and a small project to manage in the short run. Plan to arrive earlier than usual during the transition. Newly opened terminals take time to find their rhythm, and the first weeks tend to bring longer lines at unfamiliar check in desks while staff and signage settle in. For an overseas departure, where airlines already advise a longer check in window, building in extra buffer is the safe habit.

Connections deserve special attention. If your itinerary has you changing planes at JFK, confirm whether both flights use the same terminal. Because the airport’s terminals are linked by the AirTrain on the public side of security, a terminal change usually means leaving the secure area, riding the AirTrain, and clearing security again, which can eat into a tight layover. Trips that pair an international arrival with a domestic connection, which already involve immigration and a bag recheck, are the ones to plan most carefully.

How to check your terminal before you go

The simplest safeguard is to confirm your departure terminal in the days before your flight and again on the morning you travel. Your airline app and your booking confirmation are the most reliable sources, because they update when a flight moves. The airport’s own flight information and the Port Authority’s JFK pages make good backups. If you booked through a third party, check directly with the operating airline, since terminal data on some booking sites lags real changes.

It also helps to keep an eye on the bigger picture at JFK this year. The New Terminal One is one piece of a busy construction season that is reshaping roadways and gates across the airport, and the wider New York region has its own summer pressures, from flight limits at the regional airports to holiday travel waivers that can change plans on short notice. A few minutes spent confirming details goes a long way during a summer like this one.

For all the short term juggling, the New Terminal One is the kind of upgrade international travelers have wanted at JFK for years. The smartest way to enjoy it is to treat the transition with a little extra care. Confirm your terminal, leave early, and give connections room to breathe, and the move from JFK’s older halls to its newest one becomes something to look forward to rather than worry about.