JFK's New Terminal One Opens First Phase as Part of $19 Billion Overhaul

JFK International Airport's New Terminal One, a 2.6-million-square-foot international arrivals and departures hall, began welcoming flights this year as its first phase opened, part of what the Port Authority describes as a $19 billion transformation of the airport. The completed terminal is planned to include 22 widebody gates, giving international carriers significant room to expand long-haul service at one of the country's busiest global gateways.

The redevelopment also includes Terminal 6, a boutique international terminal designed to be sustainable, digital-first, and outfitted with modern passenger amenities, with its first gates opening this year as well. The broader JFK overhaul additionally covers upgrades to Terminal 4 and work on Terminal 8, alongside major roadway and infrastructure improvements across the airport campus.

On the West Coast, Hollywood Burbank Airport in Southern California is preparing to open its own $1.3 billion replacement terminal in October, expanding from 232,000 to 335,000 square feet while keeping the same 14-gate count, replacing a facility that first opened in 1930.

The wave of terminal investment across major and mid-sized US airports reflects a broader industry bet that passenger volumes will keep climbing well past pre-pandemic levels, requiring infrastructure that was largely designed for a smaller, less international flying public.