EGYPTAIR to join JFK's New Terminal One in 2026
The New Terminal One at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and EGYPTAIR have formed a strategic partnership that will shift the airline's New York operations to the new facility starting in 2026. The move supports EGYPTAIR's plan to grow its U.S. footprint while giving travelers a more modern, streamlined experience at the international-only terminal now rising on JFK's south side.
Key Points
- Why it matters: New Terminal One concentrates more long-haul carriers in a purpose-built complex, improving connections and service quality.
- Travel impact: EGYPTAIR's nonstop daily link between New York and Egypt will gain access to new halls, lounges, and 14 initial widebody gates from 2026.
- What's next: Phase A opens in 2026, then additional gates and amenities arrive through 2030 as the terminal scales to full size.
- Construction is part of a $19 billion JFK transformation that also adds a ground transportation center and simplified roadways.
- EGYPTAIR becomes the sixth Star Alliance carrier committed to the terminal, joining a roster of global airlines.
Snapshot
EGYPTAIR will relocate its JFK operation to New Terminal One in 2026, aligning with the Port Authority's $19 billion redevelopment of the airport. Phase A will debut a new headhouse and the first set of gates, with later phases expanding to 23 total gates by 2030, making New Terminal One the largest terminal at JFK by footprint. The project is being built on the sites of the current Terminal 1 and the former Terminals 2 and 3, and will feature extensive retail, dining, and lounges, plus accessibility upgrades and modern passenger-flow design. EGYPTAIR, a Star Alliance member, underscores the terminal's role as an international hub by adding a daily New York to Egypt connection that complements an expanding tenant list of long-haul carriers.
Background
New Terminal One is a private-public redevelopment led by a consortium of infrastructure investors and operators under the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. It is envisioned as an all-international terminal, opening in phases beginning in 2026 and continuing to full completion in 2030. At the finish line, the facility will span about 2.6 million square feet with 23 gates, rivaling the total footprint of LaGuardia's two rebuilt terminals. The first phase brings new arrivals and departures halls and 14 widebody gates designed to improve check-in, security, and boarding efficiency. The airline roster already includes European, Middle Eastern, and Asia-Pacific brands. EGYPTAIR's commitment supports a broader strategy to position JFK as the premier U.S. gateway for transatlantic and transcontinental service, while aligning with the carrier's ambition to expand stateside and deepen connectivity via Cairo International Airport (CAI).
Latest Developments
EGYPTAIR's move aligns with terminal timeline and scale
Beginning in 2026, EGYPTAIR passengers will use New Terminal One's new headhouse, larger check-in halls, and the first tranche of 14 widebody gates. Subsequent phases will bring the gate total to 23 and expand commercial space to more than 300,000 square feet by 2030. The terminal's location on JFK's south side, replacing legacy facilities, is intended to reduce pinch points, simplify wayfinding, and centralize long-haul operations. For EGYPTAIR, the shift pairs its daily New York service with upgraded lounges and a traveler-centric layout, improving dwell time and connection quality for premium and economy travelers alike.
Carrier roster and alliance context strengthen the hub
New Terminal One's airline lineup includes Air France, KLM, Etihad, LOT Polish Airlines, Korean Air, EVA Air, Air Serbia, SAS, Neos, Philippine Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Air New Zealand, Royal Air Maroc, Air China, China Airlines, Gulf Air, and Qatar Airways. EGYPTAIR becomes the sixth Star Alliance member to commit, which supports lounge reciprocity, smoother interline handling, and broader network coverage. As more tenants sign on, shared ground systems and standardized passenger flows are expected to deliver measurable time savings at security, boarding, and baggage claim, reinforcing JFK's mission to be a top-tier global gateway.
Analysis
For travelers, the headline benefit is predictability. New Terminal One is designed around international-only operations, so processes from check-in to immigration should be less fragmented than today's split-terminal experience. That matters on long-haul schedules where small ground delays cascade into missed connections. EGYPTAIR's daily schedule can leverage the new headhouse and early-phase gate bank in 2026, then scale with the terminal as additional gates, retail, and lounges come online through 2030. The net effect should be shorter queues, better seating and power availability, and more consistent lounge access.
For the airport, adding EGYPTAIR diversifies the tenant mix while deepening alliance breadth. A stronger Star Alliance presence helps align ground handling, lounge sharing, and irregular-operations recovery. The move also signals continued airline confidence in the project's timeline, which is crucial for construction staging and lease-driven financing. The Port Authority's modernization plan hinges on moving carriers into new capacity as it opens, then backfilling work on older assets without overloading the airfield or roadways.
There are risks. Any slippage between construction milestones and airline moves can create operational friction or split operations by season. Capacity will also ramp in phases, so peak-hour demand must be managed carefully until the 23-gate footprint is complete. Even so, the combination of daily U.S.-Egypt service, alliance synergies, and a purpose-built international layout makes EGYPTAIR's shift to New Terminal One a logical, traveler-friendly step.
Final Thoughts
EGYPTAIR's commitment to New Terminal One pairs a daily U.S.-Egypt bridge with JFK's largest-ever terminal project. Travelers should see tangible improvements beginning in 2026 as the terminal's first gates and new headhouse open, then steady gains through 2030 as capacity and amenities expand. By concentrating long-haul operations, the project aims to simplify journeys, improve lounge and retail access, and enhance on-time performance. With EGYPTAIR onboard, the international roster becomes even more compelling, reinforcing JFK's status as a premier global gateway and advancing the promise of a seamless experience at New Terminal One.