British Airways has announced more details of its move from New York-JFK Terminal 7 to Terminal 8, where it will move in with fellow oneworld airline American Airlines.
There is a big date for the calendar – and it is the 1st December 2022, when the airline will move in.
The move has been enabled by a $400 million investment to redevelop, expand and enhance the terminal, the move will bring the Atlantic Joint Business partners closer together, whilst the Port Authority can get hold of Terminal7, in preparation to demolish it.
Jointly, the terminal investments and co-location will offer a more seamless customer experience while supporting the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s ambitious plan to transform JFK into a leading global airport.
The work has been ongoing since January 2020, with the work on five new wide-bodied aircraft gates that connect to the terminal and four new “hardstands” for bus handling of passengers. In addition, an enhanced baggage handling system, new customer amenities and expanded premium guest offerings — including approximately 130,000 square feet of new and renovated terminal space is in progress
For those Premium Passengers
With premium traffic flows being so important on the London-New York route, there will be an updated experience. Straight from the copy:
As customers arrive at Terminal 8, a co-branded premium check-in area providing personalized, concierge-style service for top-tier guests will replace American’s former Flagship First Check-In space. Thoughtfully designed architectural elements will also define an exclusive new check-in space for eligible business customers.
Once through security, three distinctive custom lounges combining the best of both brands will provide a refined, welcoming preflight experience for select guests based on cabin of travel and loyalty program status. The expanded premium lounge offerings will incorporate seating for approximately 1,000 of American and British Airways’ most loyal customers. Each lounge has been designed with original high-end finishes — evoking a unique sense of space while elevating the experience and service offered to every guest.
The three lounges are:
- The most exclusive lounge will have an all-new champagne bar, fireside lounge and a la carte dining room, which reimagines American’s Flagship First Dining into a fully immersive experience.
- Adjacent, another premium lounge — with sweeping airside views, a wine bar, cocktail lounge, library and buffet — will offer an elevated, lively experience.
- American’s Flagship Lounge and Concourse B Admirals Club will be repurposed into a contiguous lounge for eligible business class customers.
Expect disruption at Terminal 8
Of course, all this doesn’t appear overnight – rather, a series of works will take place.
American’s Flagship First Check-in at JFK is expected to close beginning Feb. 1 for construction. Premium customers travelling on eligible itineraries will be directed to temporary check-in counters located nearby.
All lounge spaces will remain open and operational throughout the duration of the redevelopment project. Following completion, the Concourse B Admirals Club will close. The Concourse C Admirals Club will continue to serve members, qualifying elite customers and those travelling on eligible itineraries
In Quotes
American’s Chief Customer Officer Alison Taylor said
“American is eager to welcome British Airways to their new home at JFK,”
“Their move to Terminal 8 further deepens our longstanding partnership and makes it easier than ever for customers traveling between New York and London or onward across our global networks.”
Tom Stevens, British Airways’ Director of Brand and Customer Experience said:
“New York holds a special place in our heart as one of our most well-loved and important destinations. Our move to the redeveloped and expanded Terminal 8 will bring a range of benefits for our customers, including a better transfer experience, enabling them to travel to more than 30 destinations across the U.S., Caribbean and Latin America with American Airlines.
British Airways will remain in Terminal 7 until Dec. 1, 2022, and we have continued to invest in the experience for our customers, including our check-in area, concessions and lounges.”
Getting close to exiting Terminal7
With Terminal 7 going out of the window, so does the recent investments in the premium facilities (which have been substantially beefed up pre-pandemic). These works have been bubbling since 2017 when the latest reconstruction was announced, along with the new Terminal 6 that will sit where Terminal 7 currently sits
But with the continual redevelopment of JFK, Terminal 7’s time is ending soon. That time will be until the 1st December when British Airways moves out.
For those who have a sentimental attachment, it’s time to pay your last visits soon.
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No sentimental attachment here, although I don’t mind T7 it’s nothing spectacular…unless you got to experience Concorde here, which I didn’t – the single biggest missing checkmark on my “planes I got to fly on” list.
But T7 was a decent experience, unlike the annoying T1 or the dumps of T2 and the now-gone T3. I wish I’d been able to see T3 back in the day, I only saw it after 9/11 when it was filled to the limit with security checkpoints and sniffer booths. Can’t wait for T2 to meet the wrecking ball.