atar Airways JFK Terminal One move set for 2026

Published on Aug 19, 2025, 10:36 am CDT

6 min read

Qatar Airways will relocate its New York operations to The New Terminal One at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in 2026, adding a 15,000-square-foot flagship lounge, the carrier's first dedicated lounge in the United States. The move aligns with the Port Authority's multi-year overhaul of JFK, and underscores the airline's premium focus following its ninth Skytrax World's Best Airline title in 2025. The New Terminal One plans phased openings beginning in 2026, bringing more widebody gate capacity, modern architecture, and tech-forward processing that aims to streamline arrivals and departures.

Key Points

Why it matters: New lounge and terminal access raise Qatar Airways' premium ground experience in New York.
Travel impact: Relocation may change check-in, lounge access, and terminal transfer patterns for JFK flyers.
What's next: First phase of The New Terminal One targets a 2026 opening with 14 gates, then continued build-out.
Lounge size and amenities: 15,000 sq ft, VIP check-in, relaxation zones, prayer rooms, family spaces, premium dining.
Network context: 18 weekly JFK flights connecting via Hamad International Airport to 170-plus global destinations.

Snapshot

Qatar Airways will join The New Terminal One's initial airline cohort when the first phase opens in 2026. The carrier will debut a 15,000-square-foot lounge with direct access to boarding, VIP check-in, prayer rooms, children's play areas, premium dining, and duty-free retail for Business Class passengers. The terminal is a centerpiece of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's $19 billion JFK transformation, which adds two new terminals and upgrades to roadways and existing facilities. Qatar Airways, named World's Best Airline 2025 by Skytrax for a record ninth time, currently serves 11 U.S. gateways and carries more than 3 million passengers annually in the market. From JFK, the airline operates 18 weekly flights through Hamad International Airport (DOH).

Background

The New Terminal One will replace legacy facilities on JFK's south side and open in phases starting in 2026, with full completion planned for 2030. The first phase includes the headhouse and an initial bank of widebody gates, part of a 23-gate, 2.6-million-square-foot program sized for long-haul growth. The wider JFK initiative totals about $19 billion, spanning two brand-new terminals, expansions of existing terminals, a new ground transportation center, and a reworked roadway network to ease congestion. For travelers, terminal choice at JFK drives check-in, security, and AirTrain transfers between flights. Qatar Airways' shift from its longstanding presence at Terminal 8 positions the carrier inside a next-generation international facility as its U.S. network restores frequency and connectivity to more than 170 destinations worldwide.

Latest Developments

Qatar Airways JFK Terminal One lounge details

Announced on August 18, 2025, Qatar Airways' first U.S. lounge will measure 15,000 square feet and sit within The New Terminal One's departures zone with direct gate access. The space is designed for premium travelers, featuring VIP check-in, quiet and relaxation zones, prayer rooms, children's play areas, premium dining, and curated duty-free retail. The airline frames the lounge as an on-the-ground extension of its Business Class brand, alongside elevated terminal architecture and technology that aim to speed passenger flow. The airline and terminal teams emphasized a seamless curb-to-gate journey, pairing the lounge with light-filled public spaces and upgraded security and immigration halls intended to cut connection stress for long-haul travelers.

Timeline and program milestones

The New Terminal One will open its first phase in 2026, then continue construction toward a 2030 completion of 23 gates. The project, privately financed with public-sector partnership, forms part of the Port Authority's $19 billion JFK transformation. Build-out includes hundreds of thousands of square feet for dining, retail, and lounges sized for widebody operations. For travelers, the phased approach means Qatar Airways' relocation will track with the terminal's activation schedule. Until then, customers should continue to check itineraries for terminal and gate assignments, and plan sufficient time for terminal-to-terminal transfers on the free AirTrain when making domestic or partner connections elsewhere at the airport.

Awards context and brand positioning

Qatar Airways' move lands as the carrier reinforces its premium positioning. On June 17, 2025, the airline earned Skytrax's World's Best Airline title for a record ninth time, as well as top Business Class honors. The New Terminal One partnership leverages that momentum by pairing the carrier's onboard reputation with a flagship ground product in the United States. For New York, the agreement signals continued airline commitments to the terminal's commercial vision, which targets global carriers seeking modern widebody capacity, hospitality-driven spaces, and technology that supports efficient arrivals and departures at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

Analysis

For Qatar Airways, the relocation delivers two strategic wins. First, the airline gains a purpose-built international terminal with widebody gates sized for DOH-bound departures, and a showcase lounge that extends its Business Class brand to the U.S. Second, positioning inside a new, tech-forward facility can reduce dwell times and bottlenecks that have historically challenged peak-hour JFK operations. The partnership also strengthens the brand in a market where premium ground experience increasingly matters, especially for long-haul corporate and high-yield leisure travelers.

For travelers, the shift will change wayfinding, check-in, and lounge access patterns. Connections to other terminals will continue to rely on the free AirTrain, so flyers linking to domestic partners should budget time for re-clearing security if their itinerary requires a terminal change. The 18 weekly flights from JFK, combined with a 170-plus-destination network via Hamad International Airport (DOH), keep New York well-linked to the Gulf, South Asia, and Africa. As The New Terminal One scales toward 23 gates, expect additional airline signings, expanded retail and dining, and a competitive premium-lounge market that pushes standards higher across the region.

Final Thoughts

Qatar Airways' 2026 move to The New Terminal One, paired with its first U.S. lounge, elevates New York's premium long-haul offering and signals confidence in JFK's redevelopment program. Travelers should watch for terminal-assignment updates as phased openings begin, and plan transfers accordingly when connecting across terminals. With Skytrax's 2025 accolades and a maturing U.S. footprint, the carrier is aligning service, ground experience, and schedule to compete for high-yield customers in the country's busiest international gateway. The relocation cements the importance of New York in the network and amplifies the appeal of the Qatar Airways JFK Terminal One offering.