Air India to launch operations at new JFK Terminal 6 starting in 2028

The airline currently operates daily nonstop services from JFK Terminal 4 to Delhi and Mumbai using its flagship Airbus A350 and Boeing 777 aircraft. Its current operations at Terminal 4 will continue normally until the airline’s planned move to T6 in 2028.

JFK Millennium Partners (JMP), the company selected by the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey to build and operate John F. Kennedy International Airport’s new Terminal 6 (JFK T6), and Air India announced that the airline has chosen T6 for its operations beginning in 2028.

The move aligns Air India with other Star Alliance member carriers in the new terminal and marks another major airline commitment to T6, which has now been selected by 16 leading international carriers at JFK. Other airlines that have announced movements to T6 include Star Alliance members Air Canada, All Nippon Airways (ANA), Austrian Airlines, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, SWISS, and TAP Air Portugal — in addition to Aer Lingus, Cathay Pacific, Condor, JetBlue, Kuwait Airways, Icelandair, and Norse Atlantic. 

Building on the recent opening of its signature Maharaja Lounge at San Francisco International Airport, the airline will further expand its premium ground experience in North America with the launch of its first flagship Maharaja Lounge at JFK Terminal 6. 

Terminal 6 will open in two phases, with the first set of gates opening in 2026 and the remaining gates and terminal completion expected by 2028. T6 is a cornerstone of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s USD 19 billion transformation of JFK International Airport, aimed at creating a cohesive, modern, and world-class gateway with the construction of two new terminals, two expanded and modernised terminals, a new ground transportation centre, and an entirely new, simplified roadway network.

Air India currently operates daily nonstop services from JFK Terminal 4 to Delhi and Mumbai using its flagship Airbus A350 and Boeing 777 aircraft. Its current operations at Terminal 4 will continue normally until the airline’s planned move to T6 in 2028.

George Casey, Chair of JMP and Chair and CEO, Vantage Group, said, “Air India’s decision to join Terminal 6 validates the innovative approach we have taken to create and manage a new world-class international terminal at JFK, in partnership with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Air India will be an important partner in helping Terminal 6 deliver an exceptional experience while strengthening JFK's role as a premier international gateway.”

Developed by JFK Millennium Partners, led by Vantage Group, T6 is designed to deliver a boutique, guest‑focused travel experience, featuring short walking distances from the security checkpoint to all gates, modern amenities, intuitive wayfinding and a curated shopping and dining program that reflects New York’s global character.

Steve Thody, JMP’s Chief Executive Officer, added, “Air India is a globally recognised carrier undergoing a bold transformation, and T6 is built to support that vision. From shorter walks and modern design to an environment focused on comfort and efficiency, T6 will offer Air India passengers an entirely new and elevated guest experience.” 

“New York has long been one of India’s most important global gateways; it’s a relationship that spans more than six decades,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India. “Our move to Terminal 6 will complement the deployment of our flagship aircraft offering the “new Air India experience” to our customers. T6’s guest-centric design, operational efficiency and the proximity to fellow Star Alliance members will further elevate our customers’ experience and enable smoother, seamlessly connected journeys through JFK starting in 2028.”

Once complete, T6 will feature over 60 pieces of permanent art, expansive airline lounges, NYC-inspired shopping and dining, sustainability‑driven design elements, and state-of-the-art technologies throughout. Additional features include 10 gates, of which nine will accommodate widebody aircraft; Automated baggage handling system; Seamless connectivity to JFK Terminal 5; New shared customs/border control facility with Terminal 5; One of the longest departures curbs at JFK, with airline-branded passenger drop-off zones; A new ground transportation center; Sustainably sourced building materials, rooftop solar power, and energy-efficient systems and operating practices throughout the terminal; North America’s first airport with common-use, all-electric ground support for aircraft handling, supporting significant emissions reduction; and Sustainability certifications for LEED (silver or gold), Envision, and SITES underway.