Close on the heels of LaGuardia Airport unveiling its gleaming new Terminal B project earlier in 2022, New York City is getting another revamped airport terminal: A renovated Terminal 8 building opened on December 1 at John F. Kennedy International airport. The spacious new building adds 7,000 square feet of space to the old facility and features upgrades like a redesigned premium check-in area and three stylish new airline lounges.
The new facility is home to American Airlines and British Airways, both of which spent $400 million on the construction project that included relocating British Airways from Terminal 7 to Terminal 8 to be closer to its Oneworld Alliance partner airlines (one of which is American). Additional partner carriers Iberia and Japan Airlines will be moving into the new terminal as well.
“The completion of Terminal 8 is the latest milestone in our historic efforts to build a whole new JFK worthy of New York,” New York Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement. “I congratulate American Airlines, British Airways, and the Port Authority for the first of what will be many milestones to come.”
While all travelers passing through the expanded terminal will appreciate renovations like five new gates built to accommodate more spacious planes and an upgraded baggage handling system, the crown jewels of the building are the new American Airlines and British Airways’ premium lounges. In a nod to popular neighborhoods in both New York City and London, the lounges are named the Chelsea Lounge, the Soho Lounge, and the Greenwich Lounge.
Here’s what premium passengers can expect from the redeveloped terminal.
An exclusive check-in area
The first thing travelers in premium cabins will notice in the new terminal is a redesigned check-in area, “which will provide personalized, concierge-style service,” says a release from American. The secluded space features seated check-in desks along with wood and metal design accents. Once checked in, any larger luggage will be swept away by baggage handlers, and passengers are whisked to a dedicated fast-track security area that allows them to “breeze through to departures.”
The check-in area is open to British Airways passengers in first class or with Executive Club Gold status; travelers with Oneworld Emerald status; American Airlines passengers flying in Flagship First, Flagship Business Plus, and ConciergeKey members, as well as AAdvantage Executive Platinum and Platinum Pro members if they’re flying on Flagship long-haul itineraries.
Chelsea lounge
The most elegant—and exclusive—of the lounges, the Chelsea lounge, has a calming gray and beige color palette and Italian marble floors. Its centerpiece is the chic circular Champagne bar, which serves 25 different types of Champagne, including popular brands like Moët & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot. Above the bar hangs 150 shimmering glass leaves, sourced from the Czech Republic and created from molds of real botanical samples. In addition to bubbly, lounge visitors can also order from a menu of hand-crafted cocktails, featuring tipples like “Perfect Lady,” a mix of gin, peach liqueur, demerara syrup, and fresh lemon juice, and “Tourist Season,” which features Clairin rum, Amaro Montenegro, passionfruit syrup, fresh lime juice, and honey syrup.
Elsewhere in the premium space, there's a fireside lounge, luxury shower suites, and a dining area for a la carte meals designed by chef Ayesha Nurdjaja, a 2022 James Beard Finalist. Among Nurdjaja's dishes are a lamb tagine with ras al hanout, prunes, almonds, herbed couscous, and a honey-roasted beet salad with horseradish yogurt, pistachio, orange, and tarragon.
The lounge is open to American Airlines: passengers in Flagship Business Plus or those traveling in Flagship First or ConciergeKey on Flagship itineraries, and British Airways customers with Concorde Room access.
Soho lounge
The second new elite lounge is the Soho lounge—open to American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum or Platinum Pro members on eligible Flagship itineraries and British Airways passengers with access to the First lounge. Amenities here are nearly as rarefied as those in the Chelsea lounge, with floor-to-ceiling windows showing airside views, a cocktail bar, library space, and shower suites featuring rain showers.
Food is served buffet-style, with some of the same menu items as the Chelsea lounge designed by Nurdjaja. What's more: Every seat in the Soho lounge was designed to have easy access to a power source.
Greenwich lounge
American’s former Flagship lounge in JFK Terminal 8 has been rebranded as the Greenwich lounge. It's open to American's business class fliers and AAdvantage Platinum members on Flagship itineraries, as well as British Airways passengers who have access to the Club lounge. Inside, travelers will find amenities like a premium wine selection, a terrace bar, plenty of seating, and airside views.
