Plans for Refresh of John F. Kennedy International Airport’s Terminal 5 to Transform the Customer Experience

Credit: JetBlue

New Concessions, Art Installations, and a Redesigned Center Concourse Inspired by New York City’s Iconic Parks will Create a Distinct Sense of Place at JetBlue’s Flagship Terminal

Unique Businesses with New York Flavors, Such as Eataly, The Halal Guys, Serafina, Gotham Burger, Nom Wah, DiFara Pizza, and Neir’s Tavern, Alongside Global Brands, Will Elevate Air Travel Experience

First of More Than 40 New Concessions Will Open by End of 2025 with Completion of Terminal 5 Improvements Expected in 2026

Substantial Improvements to Terminal 5 Align with the Port Authority’s $19 Billion Overhaul of JFK Airport

Renderings and Photos are Available Here

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, JetBlue and Fraport USA, manager of John F. Kennedy International Airport’s Terminal 5, today announced a major refresh of the airline’s flagship terminal. More than 40 new concessions that reflect the spirit and flavors of New York and new amenities, such as art installations and a redesigned center concourse inspired by New York’s iconic parks, will create a unique New York sense of place and an elevated customer experience. The first new concessions are expected to open throughout 2025, with the terminal improvements completed by the end of 2026.

JetBlue’s Terminal 5 improvements, which align with the Port Authority’s $19 billion overhaul of JFK Airport, will spotlight many locally owned businesses, featuring beloved brands recognized by both New Yorkers and visitors worldwide. Through more than 40 new concessions and customer experiences, including more than 18 new local food and beverage options, customers will have more options to enhance their experience at JFK.

At the heart of Terminal 5, the center concourse will transform into a space inspired by the city’s famous parks. Lush greenery, park benches, concrete chess tables, and warm lighting provide city park charm for customers to relax before their next flight. The redesigned center concourse will also feature a dedicated space for pop-up experiences, interactive events, and live performances to highlight New York’s world-renowned culture.

Additionally, an art collection featuring more than 30 works by New York-based artists displayed throughout the terminal will transform Terminal 5 into a vibrant cultural destination. As a dynamic showcase of the city’s creativity, Terminal 5 will become a must-visit artistic experience of its own.

A Flavor and Feel of New York City
A mix of globally recognized and locally rooted operators will debut an exceptional array of offerings to the terminal, bringing in brands such as Eataly, The Halal Guys and Shake Shack alongside NYC hot spots such as Jacob’s Pickles, Tiki Chick, Serafina, Benetari’s, Gotham Burger, Birch Coffee, Nom Wah, Devoción, Mister Paradise, the Blind Barber, Leon’s Bagels, DiFara Pizza, Neir’s Tavern and much more. These chosen prime operators are dedicated to service and include HMSHost, Hudson Group, SSP America, OTG Management, M&R Concessions, WHSmith, Paradies Lagardere and Half Moon Empanadas.

As part of the federal airport concessions disadvantaged business enterprise (ACDBE) program, joint-venture partnerships between prime operators and ACDBEs allow for local and small businesses new to airport concessions to be paired with experienced prime operators. These ACDBEs are selected after demonstrating they have the financial capacity and business acumen for the rigorous airport environment. As joint-venture partners, ACDBE firms will learn how to operate concessions at an airport while also strengthening their position in the business community.

Local and ACDBE Businesses Selected as Joint-Venture Partners: 

• Neir’s Tavern (Queens, N.Y.)
• Brooklyn Tea Seller (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
• Sugar Hill Creamery (Manhattan, N.Y.)
• Nana’s Love (Queens, N.Y.)
• Ranchito Salvadoreno (Queens, N.Y.)
• Neat Rules Hospitality (Manhattan, N.Y.)
• Byrd Retail Group (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
• The Nourish Spot (Queens, N.Y.)
• Sullivan Hernandez Group (Nassau County, N.Y.)
• M&R Concessions (Queens, N.Y.)

The Terminal 5 project represents an investment in the local community and in New York City. From construction to business partnerships, the project will create jobs, contributing to economic growth and supporting small businesses. JetBlue, Fraport USA, and the Port Authority are actively collaborating with the JFK Redevelopment Community Advisory Council to ensure that the investment in Terminal 5 enhances economic growth and opportunities in the communities surrounding the airport. The partnership is committed to fostering local business engagement, job creation, and long-term economic vitality that extends beyond the terminal walls.

Since its opening in 2008 and expansion in 2014, the terminal has been recognized for its customer-focused design and amenities. Today, it serves 165 JetBlue flights and more than 35,000 customers per day.

As JetBlue continues its investment at JFK — including growth through the new Terminal 6, which will seamlessly connect with Terminal 5 and a forthcoming customer lounge — these improvements ensure that the airline’s flagship terminal remains a premier destination worthy of the incredible city it is inspired by.

Transforming JFK Into a World-Class Global Gateway
In January 2017, the JFK Vision Plan was announced to transform JFK into the world-class airport that New Yorkers deserve. The vision plan provides a strategic framework for the Port Authority and its partners to completely redevelop, modify and expand existing facilities and infrastructure. The $9.5 billion development of a state-of-the-art New Terminal One that will anchor the airport’s south side broke ground in September 2022. A new $4.2 billion Terminal 6, which will connect seamlessly with Terminal 5 to create an anchor terminal on the airport’s north side, broke ground in February 2023. The $1.5 billion expansion of Terminal 4, led by Delta Air Lines and JFK International Air Terminal (JFKIAT), is substantially complete. Additionally, the $400 million expansion of Terminal 8, led by American Airlines, which operates the terminal, was completed in November 2022.

All of the privately financed terminal projects combined with the Port Authority’s roadway, parking and infrastructure projects represent a $19 billion transformation of JFK and an extraordinary series of public-private partnerships. The Port Authority’s capital investment of $3.9 billion is leveraging private investment at a rate of nearly four to one when taking into account the full private investment of more than $15 billion that has been committed to the four projects comprising the full redevelopment of JFK. 

About JetBlue 
JetBlue is New York’s Hometown Airline^®, and a leading carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, Los Angeles, Orlando and San Juan. JetBlue carries customers to more than 100 destinations throughout the United States, Latin America, Caribbean, Canada and Europe. For more information and the best fares, visit jetblue.com.

About Fraport USA
Fraport USA is the developer and/or manager of the retail, food, and beverage programs at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, Terminal 5 at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, Nashville International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal B, Ronald Reagan National Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport. Fraport USA’s projects rank among the highest for passenger spending and consistently receive accolades for innovation and customer service. Fraport USA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide. Based in Frankfurt, Germany, Fraport AG is active at some 30 airports on four continents around the globe. For more information, visit fraport-usa.com. 

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is a bi-state agency that builds, operates, and maintains many of the most important transportation and trade infrastructure assets in the country. For over a century, the agency’s network of major airports; critical bridges, tunnels and bus terminals; a commuter rail line; and the busiest seaport on the East Coast has been among the most vital in the country – transporting hundreds of millions of people and moving essential goods into and out of the region. The Port Authority also owns and manages the 16-acre World Trade Center campus, which today welcomes tens of thousands of office workers and millions of annual visitors. The agency’s historic $37 billion 10-year capital plan includes unprecedented transformation of the region’s three major airports – LaGuardia, Newark Liberty and JFK – as well as an array of other new and upgraded assets, including the $2 billion renovation of the 93-year-old George Washington Bridge. The Port Authority’s annual budget of $9.4 billion includes no tax revenue from either the states of New York or New Jersey or from the City of New York. The agency raises the necessary funds for the improvement, construction or acquisition of its facilities primarily on its own credit. For more information, visit www.panynj.gov or check out the Now Arriving blog.