Qatar Airways to Debut First US Lounge at JFK’s New Terminal One in 2026
The move will bring a Doha-style premium experience to New York in 2026.
Photo: Courtesy of Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways has confirmed it will relocate operations at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to the New Terminal One in 2026, unveiling its first dedicated lounge in the U.S. as part of the move. The announcement marks another stage in the carrier’s investment in New York, its most important American gateway.
The 15,000-square-foot lounge will feature direct boarding access, a rare convenience at JFK, along with VIP check-in, relaxation zones, prayer rooms, children’s play areas, premium dining, and duty-free retail. The design aims to replicate the experience of Doha’s Hamad International Airport—consistently ranked among the world’s best—bringing that level of service to a U.S. context. The result: shorter transfers for international connections and a ground experience that mirrors the airline’s award-winning Business Class in the air.
The move coincides with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s $19 billion redevelopment of JFK. The New Terminal One, opening in phases between 2026 and 2030, will ultimately span 2.6 million square feet, making it the airport’s largest terminal. For international carriers, the consolidation into NTO is expected to resolve long-standing congestion and the fragmented layout that has complicated premium journeys through JFK.
For Qatar Airways, the lounge debut is as much about network positioning as passenger comfort. With 18 weekly flights between New York and Doha and onward connections to more than 170 destinations worldwide, New York is both a high-demand origin point and a fiercely competitive market. The lounge, which is accessible exclusively to Qatar Airways Business Class passengers, adds a significant ground-level differentiator.
“Our move demonstrates the evolution of Qatar Airways’ long-standing commitment to connecting global travellers to New York and expanding our services in the destination integral to our network in the U.S.,” said Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, Qatar Airways Group CEO.
By 2026, a Business Class ticket on Qatar Airways from JFK will offer not just a seat but an enhanced value proposition, aligning one of the Middle East’s leading carriers with the next phase of New York’s aviation future.
