Korean Air Signs Agreement With “The New Terminal One” at JFK Airport

In case you missed it, a brand-new terminal is being constructed at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to replace the aging and cramped Terminal 1.

Dubbed “The New Terminal One” for now, this upcoming terminal is being constructed by a group of partners responsible for the mega-project’s labor, operations, and financing.

And today, May 22, 2023, the new terminal got another show of support from its latest partner, Korean Air.

“We are excited to announce this strategic partnership between New Terminal One with one of the top airlines in the world,” said Dr. Gerrard P. Bushell, President and CEO of The New Terminal One at JFK. “At the unparalleled world-class terminal we are building here at JFK, we look forward to working together to connect passengers between the Americas and Asia for years to come.”

Let’s take a look at all the details we have so far.

What We Know About JFK’s Brand-new Terminal

The New Terminal One is currently in its first phase of construction, which is expected to be complete in mid-2026. Meanwhile, the entire New Terminal One project is slated for 2030.

The first phase will cost $9 billion, which includes new departures and arrivals halls and the first 14 gates. It’s part of a larger, $19 billion expansion and renovation of the airport. When completed, the project will transform the termal into a modern, efficient gateway to one of the most important cities worldwide.

Currently, the New Terminal One is being built on the sites of the existing Terminal 1, the recently-closed Terminal 2, and the former Terminal 3. When it opens at the start of the next decade, it will be a staggering 2.4 million square feet. In fact, this single terminal will be larger than LaGuardia Airport’s 2 (also new) terminals combined.

In total, the new terminal will boast 23 gates when completed. It will also “feature expansive, naturally lit public spaces, cutting-edge technology, and an array of amenities, all designed to enhance the customer experience and compete with some of the highest-rated airport terminals in the world.”

Korean Air Joins Other International Airlines at The New Terminal One

Currently, Korean Air operates its 2x daily flights between New York-JFK and Seoul-Incheon (ICN) from Terminal 1. It is also home to several other airlines including Air France, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, and more.

So far, The New Terminal One has commitments from several airlines including Air France, Etihad Airways, LOT-Polish Airlines, and now, Korean Air. This should guarantee that the new terminal will have no problem getting commitments from other international carriers who are likely eager to move into the new, state-of-the-art space, especially considering the condition of the current Terminal 1.

Final Thoughts

Progress continues at The New Terminal One at JFK Airport. Now, Korean Air has joined several other large international airlines in committing its support for the new terminal.

While the first phase won’t open for a few years, it’ll be a massive upgrade for both passengers and airlines.