American Airlines and British Airways Start Construction on Expanded Terminal at JFK

Check-in area at Terminal 8

Eleven months after American Airlines, British Airways, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced a $344 million plan to expand Terminal 8 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, which is operated by American, and relocate BA to Terminal 8 from Terminal 7, its current home, the two airlines announced the start of construction on the project.

The airlines, which have a joint-venture agreement for transatlantic flights, offer the most flights between JFK and London’s Heathrow Airport of any airline or alliance.

The new and improved Terminal 8 program is in addition to a $13 billion expansion project at JFK taking place over several years. American and BA are funding the project. No Port Authority funds are being committed to the refurbishment.

The project will add 70,400 square feet (6,540 square meters) of additional space including 33,000 square feet (3066 square meters) of public space and the refurbishment of 57,000 square feet (5,341 square meters) of existing space. Travelers will see five wide-body gates, four hard standsor coach gates, new lounges, a new state-of-the-art baggage system, new premium check-in areas, and new shops and restaurants.

British Airways, which celebrated its centenary year in 2019, currently operates Terminal 7 at JFK and recently invested $65 million in updates there.  It will continue at Terminal 7 until 2022, at which point it will move to Terminal 8. Terminal 7 will be demolished at that time to make way for JetBlue Airways’ planned new terminal on the north side of the airport.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)