Quick answer: JFK's brand-new Terminal 6 opened its first gates in the first half of 2026 on the airport's north side, directly connected to JetBlue's Terminal 5. Phase one brings the first five of an eventual 10 gates (nine widebody-capable), a new arrivals and departures hall and a centralized TSA checkpoint; the full 1.2 million sq ft, $4.2 billion terminal is due to be complete by 2028. Sixteen airlines — led by JetBlue, the Lufthansa Group, Cathay Pacific and Air Canada — have committed to T6.
This guide covers Terminal 6 as it stands in 2026: which airlines fly from it now and which arrive next, how to get there, the Terminal 5 connection, lounges, food and what phase two will add. For the airport-wide picture, see our JFK terminals guide; if you're landing here, the JFK arrivals guide walks you through the flow.
JFK Terminal 6 at a glance
| Fact | Terminal 6 (2026) |
|---|---|
| Status | Phase 1 open (first gates since the first half of 2026); full completion expected 2028 |
| Gates | 10 when complete — 9 of them widebody-capable; the first 5 opened in phase 1 |
| Size | 1.2 million sq ft when complete |
| Cost | $4.2 billion (part of JFK's $19 billion transformation) |
| Airlines | 16 carriers committed; about a dozen already operating in mid-2026 |
| Location | North side of JFK, on the former Terminal 6/7 site, next to Terminal 5 |
| Terminal 5 link | Connected both before and after security; shared ground transportation center |
| Operator | JFK Millennium Partners — a consortium that includes Vantage Airport Group and JetBlue |
What the new Terminal 6 is
Terminal 6 is JFK's first all-new terminal in decades, built by JFK Millennium Partners — a private consortium that includes Vantage Airport Group and JetBlue — on the airport's north side, where the original Terminal 6 (demolished in 2011) and Terminal 7 stand. It is one of the two anchor projects of the Port Authority's $19 billion JFK transformation, alongside the New Terminal One rising on the south side.
The terminal is being delivered in two phases. Phase one — the first five gates, the full check-in hall with its circular skylight, the Grand Hall departures area, a centralized TSA checkpoint and the arrivals level — opened to passengers in the first half of 2026. Phase two takes over once neighboring Terminal 7 closes and is demolished: the remaining gates are built on that land, bringing Terminal 6 to its full 10 gates and 1.2 million square feet by 2028.
Airlines at Terminal 6 in 2026
Sixteen carriers have committed to Terminal 6. As of mid-2026, roughly a dozen already operate from it, with the rest arriving as more gates open. Check our JFK airlines directory for the airport-wide list, and always confirm your terminal on your boarding pass or the airline app on the day you fly — assignments keep shifting while JFK rebuilds.
| Airline | Moved from | Status at Terminal 6 |
|---|---|---|
| JetBlue (anchor, co-developer) | Terminal 5 (still its main base) | Operating select flights |
| Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, Brussels Airlines (Lufthansa Group) | Terminal 1 | Relocated in early 2026 |
| Air Canada | Terminal 7 | Operating |
| ANA (All Nippon Airways) | Terminal 7 | Operating |
| Cathay Pacific | — | Operating; lounge to follow |
| Icelandair | Terminal 7 | Operating |
| Avianca | — | Operating |
| TAP Air Portugal | — | Operating |
| Norse Atlantic Airways | — | Operating |
| Condor | — | Operating |
| Kuwait Airways | — | Operating |
| Frontier Airlines | — | Operating in 2026 |
| Aer Lingus | Terminal 7 | Confirmed for T6 |
| Air India | Terminal 4 | Arriving 2028, with a 9,100 sq ft Maharaja Lounge |
Industry reporting also expects United Airlines to begin flying from Terminal 6 around 2027 as its partnership with JetBlue develops — not yet confirmed by the airport, so treat that as an expectation rather than a promise.
Where Terminal 6 is and how to get there
Terminal 6 sits on JFK's north side, right next to JetBlue's Terminal 5. Getting there works exactly like the rest of the airport:
- AirTrain: the free 24/7 AirTrain loop links every JFK terminal with the subway and LIRR at Jamaica and Howard Beach. For Terminal 6, use the Terminal 5 station and follow the signed connector; the Terminal 7 station also serves the site while that building remains. Full details in our JFK AirTrain and train guide.
- Car, taxi and rideshare: Terminal 6 shares a ground transportation center and taxi stand with Terminal 5, and its departures curb — the longest at JFK, under translucent canopies — handles drop-offs. Compare door-to-door options in our JFK to Manhattan guide.
- Connecting within JFK: from any other terminal, take the AirTrain; from Terminal 5 you can simply walk across, without leaving the secure area if you're already through screening.
The Terminal 5 connection
Terminal 6 is physically connected to Terminal 5 both before and after security — a first for JFK, where changing terminals normally means the AirTrain and a fresh security check. JetBlue keeps Terminal 5 as its main JFK home while operating select flights from T6, so a JetBlue connection between the two buildings is a short indoor walk. For everyone else, the airside link means arriving at one and departing from the other is far less painful than any other JFK terminal change.
Lounges at Terminal 6
The terminal is designed for up to five airline lounges plus an arrivals lounge — a lineup that will fill in through phase two:
- Cathay Pacific is building a nearly 10,000 sq ft lounge — its first in New York and only its second in the US after San Francisco.
- Lufthansa Group has confirmed a lounge for its four airlines.
- Aer Lingus plans a lounge alongside its move.
- A common-use lounge run by the terminal and an arrivals lounge for inbound long-haul passengers are also planned.
- Air India's 9,100 sq ft flagship Maharaja Lounge follows with its 2028 move.
Until the full lineup opens, many T6 passengers still use the lounges next door in Terminal 5 or elsewhere at the airport — our JFK lounges guide covers every current option, including day passes and card access.
Food, shops and art
Terminal 6's dining is deliberately New York-first. Announced names include David Chang's Fuku, Manhattan institution P.J. Clarke's, Brooklyn pizza legend Di Fara Pizzeria, NYC-founded For Five Coffee and Brooklyn Brewery, with the full retail and duty-free lineup still being announced in stages. The building doubles as a gallery: more than 60 permanent artworks by New York artists are installed through the terminal, under a design that centers on the circular skylight over check-in and the Grand Hall departures space.
Security, baggage and technology
Terminal 6 was designed digital-first: a single centralized TSA checkpoint with the latest screening technology, an automated baggage handling system, and self-service kiosks throughout. The roof carries roughly 4,000 solar panels as part of the terminal's sustainability program. Screening rules are the same as everywhere at JFK — our JFK security guide covers what you can bring and how early to arrive, and the departures guide walks through the full check-in flow.
How Terminal 6 fits the JFK rebuild
| Terminal | What is happening |
|---|---|
| Terminal 6 | Phase 1 open since 2026; full 10 gates by 2028 |
| Terminal 7 | Winding down — tenants have moved (Alaska to T8 in late 2025; Air Canada, ANA, Icelandair to T6); to be demolished for T6 phase 2 |
| New Terminal One | $9.5 billion, 2.6 million sq ft project on the south side; first gates expected from late 2026, completion by 2030 |
| Terminal 2 | Closed in 2023 and demolished |
| Terminals 4, 5, 8 | Operating normally through the rebuild |
The practical takeaway while construction continues: allow extra time on the roads, double-check your terminal the day you fly, and if you have a long connection, our JFK layover guide shows how to spend it well.
Frequently asked questions
Which airlines fly from Terminal 6 at JFK?
As of mid-2026: JetBlue (select flights), Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, Brussels Airlines, Air Canada, ANA, Cathay Pacific, Avianca, TAP Air Portugal, Norse Atlantic, Icelandair, Kuwait Airways, Condor and Frontier. Aer Lingus is confirmed to follow, Air India arrives in 2028, and United is expected around 2027. Always verify your terminal on your boarding pass.
Is Terminal 6 connected to Terminal 5?
Yes — both before and after security. If you're already through screening, you can walk between T5 and T6 airside without re-clearing security, which makes JetBlue and partner connections between the two buildings unusually easy for JFK.
How do I get to Terminal 6 by AirTrain?
Take the free 24/7 AirTrain and get off at the Terminal 5 station, then follow the signed walkway; the Terminal 7 station also serves the area while that building remains. From Jamaica station the AirTrain connects to the E train and LIRR; from Howard Beach, to the A train.
Does Terminal 6 have lounges?
The building is designed for up to five airline lounges plus an arrivals lounge. Cathay Pacific (nearly 10,000 sq ft), the Lufthansa Group and Aer Lingus have all confirmed lounges, with a common-use lounge planned and Air India's Maharaja Lounge following in 2028. Until they open, most premium passengers use lounges in Terminal 5 and elsewhere at JFK.
When will Terminal 6 be fully finished?
By 2028. Phase 1 (the first five gates and the main halls) opened in 2026; phase 2 adds the remaining gates on the site of Terminal 7 after its demolition, for a total of 10 gates, nine of them widebody-capable.
Is Terminal 7 still open at JFK?
Terminal 7 is in its final stretch. Its long-time tenants have moved out — Alaska Airlines to Terminal 8 in late 2025, and Air Canada, ANA and Icelandair into Terminal 6 — and the building will be demolished to make room for Terminal 6's phase 2 gates. Check your airline's current terminal before heading to the airport.
Does JetBlue use Terminal 5 or Terminal 6?
Both. Terminal 5 remains JetBlue's main JFK base, while select JetBlue flights use the new Terminal 6 next door. The two are connected before and after security, so a JetBlue itinerary touching both is a short indoor walk. Check your boarding pass for the terminal on your specific flight.
Sources
- Terminal 6 project, phasing, gates and sustainability — Port Authority of NY & NJ: portauthoritybuilds.com
- Live terminal, airline and AirTrain information — JFK Airport (PANYNJ): jfkairport.com
- Air India's 2028 move, 16 committed carriers and terminal amenities — PR Newswire (July 21, 2026): prnewswire.com
- Cathay Pacific's Terminal 6 move and New York lounge — Cathay Pacific newsroom: news.cathaypacific.com
- TAP Air Portugal selects Terminal 6 — PR Newswire: prnewswire.com
- Terminal 6 preview: gates, lounges, dining and T5 connection — AirlineReporter (Oct 2025): airlinereporter.com
This guide is general information for travelers, current as of 2026, and is not affiliated with the Port Authority of NY & NJ or JFK Millennium Partners. Terminal assignments, opening phases, lounge plans and construction timelines change as the JFK redevelopment progresses — always confirm your terminal with your airline and check official airport channels before you travel.
