Summary Korean Air will open a 16,000-square-foot lounge in New Terminal One at JFK Airport in 2026. The lounge will offer premium amenities, a show kitchen, and a bar for First and Prestige Class passengers. New Terminal One will replace existing terminals, offer 23 gates, and handle 16 million passengers annually.
Passengers flying on Korean Air from New York City will one day experience the SkyTeam carrier's flagship airport lounge service at a 16,000-square-foot facility coming to the New Terminal One at JFK airport. Creating space to grow The carrier announced last year that it will join fellow international carriers at The New Terminal One of John F. Kennedy International Airport ( JFK ) in New York City.
The new lounge will be one of the largest in Korean Air's global network outside its hub in Seoul Incheon and further build on Korean Air's partnership with Delta Air Lines in the US. Delta has established numerous joint ventures across the Atlantic and Pacific, including partnerships with airlines such as Virgin Atlantic in the UK. The space will be located at the end of the New Terminal One's east pier, offering direct boarding access to aircraft.
The Korean Air Lounge will provide passengers departing New York City with an expansive, airy space featuring premium amenities for the airline's First and Prestige Class customers and elite frequent flyers, along with panoramic views of the airfield when it opens in 2026. David Pacey, Executive Vice President & Chief of In-flight Service and Lounges at Korean Air, noted how the space is being developed in conjunction with ongoing renovations: "We are delighted to announce our plans to launch a new lounge at The New Terminal One (NTO) at JFK. This premier facility, with panoramic airfield views, will offer our customers departing from New York an elevated experience, featuring top-notch technology and service.
"We look forward to collaborating closely with NTO as we prepare for the unveiling of this state-of-the-art lounge in 2026." While no pictures of the space have been released, the airline confirmed that the lounge will feature a show kitchen and bar, offering a diverse array of fresh culinary delights crafted in the on-site kitchen. All in on New Terminal One The airline celebrated its 45th year of operations at JFK in April of 2024 with a series of special celebrations and giveaways.
The carrier currently offers 14 weekly flights to JFK from its hub in Seoul's Incheon International Airport (INC). According to the airline, the Korean Air lounge will be among the largest lounges at the New Terminal One. One of the project's leaders shared his thoughts with Simple Flying in an exclusive interview.
The New Terminal One, which will anchor JFK's south side, is being constructed on sites now occupied by Terminal 1 and the former Terminals 2 and 3. The first phase, which includes the Korean Air Lounge, new arrivals and departures halls, and the first set of 14 new gates, is expected to open in 2026. The New Terminal One Chief Executive Officer Jennifer Aument expressed her excitement to be working with Korean Air on the project: “Our team at The New Terminal One is committed to offering a world-class experience for our guests and working closely with our partner airlines is key to that effort.
“We are pleased to expand our agreement with Korean Air, one of the world’s leading airlines, and look forward to working with their team to deliver an unmatched experience for Korean Air’s valued customers flying out of JFK Airport.” Once fully completed in 2030, the 2.6 million-square-foot terminal will replace the existing Terminal 1 and the former Terminals 2 and 3.
It will have 23 gates (22 of which will be equipped for widebody) and the capacity to handle more than 16 million passengers annually. Get the latest aviation news straight to your inbox: Sign up for our newsletters today. The carrier currently has two lounges in the existing Terminal One, First Class Lounge and Prestige Lounge, which are open in the evenings and accept Priority Pass members.
In addition, the New Terminal One at JFK has launched a request for proposals for a 9,100-square-foot lounge after security and another 4,000-square-foot space before security..
