JFK Terminal 8 Gets New Lounges As American & British Airways Co-Locate

JFK Airport in New York is undergoing a major redevelopment, and includes American Airlines' Terminal 8. British Airways would move to Terminal 8 as of 2022.

We now have more information about the British Airways move, as well as what this means for the premium passenger experience.

The basics of JFK Terminal 8 changes

$400 million is being invested in JFK Terminal 8. There will be five new wide body gates, four new wide body hardstand parking positions, an enhanced baggage handling system, and 130,000 square feet of new and renovated terminal space.

The stands will only be used to park planes that are on the ground for an extended period of time, rather than for boarding or deplaning.

British Airways moving to JFK Terminal 8

British Airways will be moving to Terminal 8 on December 1, 2022. It is great news that American and British Airways have a joint venture, it will make connections between the two airlines much more seamless.

I think this is a positive move because Terminal 7 isn't very nice and American has been under utilizing Terminal 8. British Airways needs to move because Terminal 7 will be demolished as part of the airport's redevelopment.

JFK Terminal 8 new premium check-in facility

There will be a new premium check-in area at Terminal 8 with American and British Airways co-locating.

There will be separate lines for different levels of service in this space, and it is believed that it will be for most premium customers.

JFK Terminal 8 new premium lounges

The lounges will be the biggest change. Terminal 8 will feature three distinctive custom lounges combining the best of both brands, and seating for roughly 1,000 customers.

The three lounges have what we can expect.

• The most exclusive lounge will have an all-new champagne bar, fireside lounge, and a la carte dining room; this will replace American’s Flagship First Dining facility, though will be in a different location
• Another adjacent premium lounge will feature sweeping airside views, a wine bar, cocktail lounge, library, and buffet
• American’s Flagship Lounge and Concourse B Admirals Club will be repurposed into a single lounge for eligible business class passengers (the Concourse C Admirals Club will be the only lounge for Admirals Club members)

If I had to guess, the access requirements for these lounges haven't been revealed.

• The most exclusive lounge will probably be for oneworld first class passengers
• Maybe the next most exclusive lounge will be for oneworld Emerald members, since historically British Airways has separate oneworld Emerald lounges
• The last lounge will likely continue to have the same entry requirements as the Flagship Lounge, so will be available to oneworld business class passengers and oneworld Sapphire members

The lounges will remain open during the project. The Flagship Lounge is in a new space, so we shouldn't expect a lot of changes.

Bottom line

British Airways will be moving to Terminal 8 at JFK on December 1, 2022. It will make connections between the two airlines more seamless, and this should be great news for passengers.

New lounges and a new check-in facility are some of the things we're seeing with the two airlines moving in together. I'm curious to learn more about the lounges and their amenities.

What do you think about the changes to JFK Terminal 8?