JFK Terminal 6: Opening Status, Airlines & Travel Guide

JFK Terminal 6 is the new international terminal being developed on the north side of John F. Kennedy International Airport. The project will create a modern terminal connected with Terminal 5 and will eventually replace the existing Terminal 7 site as the redevelopment progresses.

Terminal 6 is opening in phases rather than all at once. As of September 11, 2026, the terminal should be treated as a developing airport project rather than assuming that every announced airline or facility is already operating there.

JFK Terminal 6 at a Glance

Last verified: September 11, 2026. Terminal operations, airline assignments and access arrangements can change during the phased redevelopment.

Is JFK Terminal 6 Open?

The new JFK Terminal 6 is being developed in phases, with initial gates planned to open during 2026 and the complete terminal project expected by 2028.

However, travelers should distinguish between an announced future Terminal 6 operation and an airline that is currently operating from Terminal 6. Airline announcements about future moves do not automatically mean that those airlines have already transferred their JFK flights.

For this reason, the safest approach is to verify the terminal shown for your specific flight before traveling. JFK's live airline directory should be treated as the primary reference for current terminal assignments.

JFK Terminal 6 Airlines

A number of international airlines have announced plans to make Terminal 6 their future home at JFK. These announcements should not be confused with current operating-terminal assignments.

Important: The table above lists airlines that have announced future Terminal 6 plans. It is not a replacement for the live JFK airline directory. An airline may remain at its existing JFK terminal until its actual move takes place.

Which Airlines Are Expected to Use Terminal 6 First?

The airlines moving to Terminal 6 are expected to do so in stages as the terminal opens and additional facilities become available.

Some airline announcements have specifically referred to the initial or Phase 1 opening, while others only announce Terminal 6 as their future JFK home. Because the construction and airline transition schedule can change, it is safer to use the term announced future Terminal 6 airline rather than assigning every carrier to the first phase.

Air India is a clear example of a later move: the airline has announced that its Terminal 6 operations will begin in 2028. Until then, Air India's JFK operations remain at Terminal 4.

Terminal 6 and Terminal 5

Terminal 6 is being developed immediately alongside JFK Terminal 5. The completed project is designed to connect with Terminal 5 and create a larger north-side terminal complex.

This relationship is particularly important for JetBlue and its partner airlines. JetBlue is one of the partners behind the Terminal 6 project, and the new terminal is intended to expand the airline's footprint at JFK while improving connectivity with partner carriers.

Passengers should still follow the terminal shown for their specific flight. A planned physical connection between terminals does not by itself determine where a particular flight checks in, passes through security or boards.

What Happens to JFK Terminal 7?

Terminal 7 remains part of the current JFK terminal system while the Terminal 6 redevelopment progresses.

The new Terminal 6 project will eventually occupy the former Terminal 6 and Terminal 7 area. Terminal 7 is expected to continue operating during the transition before its site is used for later phases of the Terminal 6 development.

For current Terminal 7 information, see our JFK Terminal 7 guide.

JFK Terminal 6 Location

Terminal 6 is being built on the north side of JFK Airport, using the former Terminal 6 area and the Terminal 7 site as the redevelopment progresses.

Its location places the new terminal next to Terminal 5 and gives JetBlue and its partner airlines a new north-side airport complex.

For a complete overview of JFK's terminal layout, see our JFK Airport terminals guide.

How to Get to JFK Terminal 6

AirTrain JFK

The JFK AirTrain connects the airport's passenger terminals with airport parking, the rental car center and public transportation.

Because Terminal 6 is being introduced as part of the JFK redevelopment, travelers should check the current airport map and AirTrain instructions before traveling rather than relying on older Terminal 6 directions.

Once the terminal is fully integrated into the operating airport system, official JFK passenger directions will provide the definitive routing for Terminal 6.

Driving and Drop-Off

The Terminal 6 project includes a new departures curb and airline-branded passenger drop-off areas as part of the terminal's planned ground-transportation facilities.

Road access around JFK can change because of ongoing construction. For current airport driving information, see our JFK driving directions guide and JFK pickup and drop-off guide.

Taxi and Ground Transportation

Passengers arriving at JFK should use the current airport transportation instructions for taxi, rideshare and pickup locations. Terminal-specific transportation arrangements can change during construction and the phased opening of Terminal 6.

See our JFK taxi guide for airport-wide taxi information.

Parking

Terminal-specific parking directions should be checked before traveling because JFK's roadway and terminal infrastructure is undergoing major redevelopment.

See our JFK Airport parking guide for current parking information and options.

Terminal 6 Gates and Capacity

When the project is complete, Terminal 6 is planned to have 10 gates. Nine of those gates are designed to accommodate widebody aircraft.

The terminal is being developed in phases, so the final 10-gate configuration should not be interpreted as the number of gates available during the initial opening phase.

Gate numbering and individual airline gate assignments should be treated as operational information and verified through current JFK or airline information once the relevant gates are in service.

Terminal 6 Security, Customs and Baggage

The new terminal is designed with modern passenger-processing facilities, including:

• A centralized TSA security screening facility
• An automated baggage handling system
• International arrivals and customs facilities
• Modern passenger wayfinding and terminal technology
• Passenger accessibility and reduced-mobility services

Operational details such as TSA lane numbers, security hours, airline check-in locations, baggage claim belts and customs routing should only be added once they are published as current passenger information.

Terminal 6 Lounges, Restaurants and Shopping

The completed Terminal 6 is planned to include airline lounges, restaurants, shopping and other passenger amenities designed around a New York theme.

Announced plans include airline lounges, New York-inspired food and beverage concepts, retail and duty-free shopping, and a public-art program.

These announcements describe the planned terminal program and should not be interpreted as a live directory of restaurants, shops or lounges until each facility is confirmed as open.

Terminal 6 Accessibility

Accessibility is part of the Terminal 6 passenger-service plan. Guest-service and passenger-assistance providers have been selected to support wayfinding, passenger assistance and passengers with reduced mobility.

Travelers who need special assistance should also contact their airline before traveling. Specific service locations and procedures may change as Terminal 6 moves from construction into full passenger operations.

JFK Terminal 6 Development Timeline

Frequently Asked Questions About JFK Terminal 6

JFK Airport Terminal Guides