JFK's Highly Anticipated New Terminal 1 Opening Delayed Until Early 2027

Published Sep 15, 2026, 2:45 PM EDT Experienced ICAO English Language Proficiency Instructor for pilots and ATCOs and conference interpreter who is passionate about facilitating effective communication within aviation-related businesses. Possess a deep understanding of the aviation industry, including aviation regulations, terminology, and industry-specific communication protocols. Has been working at numerous airshows across Europe since 2014. Being an ultralight pilot in her free time, she also promotes safety and efficiency in aviation operations. Based in Italy and Malta New York travelers will have to wait a little longer for one of New York John F. Kennedy International Airport’s biggest transformations. The highly anticipated New Terminal One (NTO) is now expected to open in the first quarter of 2027, after previously targeting an opening sometime in 2026. The $9.5 billion project is replacing JFK’s existing Terminal 1 and former Terminals 2 and 3 with a substantially larger international gateway. The delay means passengers will spend several more months using JFK’s existing facilities while construction and operational preparations continue. The terminal operator says it is finalizing construction and preparing its airline and concession partners, with extensive testing needed before passengers can be welcomed. Despite the setback, the project remains a central component of JFK’s broader modernization program and will eventually add 23 gates and 2.6 million square feet of space. New Terminal One Faces Another Delay The New Terminal One at JFK will not open until early 2027, and the operator now expects to begin welcoming passengers in the first quarter of next year. According to The Points Guy's report, the facility had previously been expected to open during 2026, with hopes at one point centered on the summer. The latest change represents another adjustment to the schedule for one of the largest individual projects within JFK’s ongoing redevelopment. The first phase scheduled to open in 2027 will feature 13 gates plus one temporary gate, allowing the terminal to begin handling passengers before the entire complex is completed. Once the initial facility becomes operational, JFK’s existing Terminal 1 is expected to be demolished, clearing the way for the project's second phase. That subsequent phase will add another nine gates, bringing the completed terminal to 23 gates. A spokesperson for New Terminal One told TPG: "We want to ensure that all systems and processes are well-tested and prepared to deliver on our commitment to set a new standard in customer experience, from day one." A Major JFK Transformation The New Terminal One is considerably more than a replacement for JFK’s aging Terminal 1. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's project page describes the $9.5 billion development as a 2.6-million-square-foot facility that will become the largest terminal at JFK upon completion. It is being constructed on land occupied by the existing Terminal 1 and the former Terminals 2 and 3, anchoring the airport's international south side. The scale of the project is reflected in its planned infrastructure. The completed terminal will have 23 gates, including 22 widebody gates, making it particularly important for international airlines operating long-haul services from New York. The Port Authority also says the building will include more than 300,000 square feet of retail, dining and lounge space, while 13,000 solar panels will form New York City’s largest solar array. The project is also designed around a substantial collection of international carriers. The New Terminal One lists airlines including Air France, KLM, Etihad Airways, LOT Polish Airlines, EVA Air, Turkish Airlines, Air New Zealand, Air China and Philippine Airlines among its airline partners. TPG additionally notes that the facility is expected to contain six lounges, including a major new Air France lounge. What Happens Next? The opening of the New Terminal One is only one part of a much larger transformation underway at JFK. The airport is also developing a new Terminal 6, while other terminals undergo major expansions and renovations. Terminal 6 is expected to accommodate JetBlue, United Airlines, and several Star Alliance carriers, adding another major piece to JFK’s future international infrastructure. The New Terminal One itself represents a major public-private investment in the airport, with the Port Authority describing the $9.5 billion development as the largest public-private partnership in the United States. The project is also expected to create approximately 10,000 jobs, including 6,000 union construction positions. Once fully operational, the terminal should provide substantially more modern facilities for international travelers while giving airlines additional widebody capacity at one of the world's most important aviation markets. However, the long-awaited replacement for JFK Terminal 1 will not open in 2026 as many hoped. Instead, travelers should expect the first phase of the New Terminal One to begin operations in Q1 2027, assuming the remaining construction, testing, and operational preparations proceed as planned.