Cathay Pacific to Open First-Ever New York Lounge at JFK Terminal 6

Cathay Pacific has confirmed it will open its first-ever airport lounge in New York once it moves its operations to the all-new John F. Kennedy International Airport’s (JFK) Terminal 6.

Last week, Cathay Pacific reached an agreement with JFK Millennium Partners—the firm that has been tasked to build and operate the new Terminal 6 by the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ)—to move its flight operations to the new state-of-the-art location once it opens its doors to passengers in early 2026.

Photo: © The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

The $4.2 billion redevelopment of Terminal 6, part of a wider $19 billion modernization project at New York JFK, began in 2023 and is on schedule to open its first five gates less than two years from now.

Cathay Pacific currently operates out of Terminal 8 along with its oneworld partner airlines, including American Airlines, British Airways, and Qatar Airways.

The Hong Kong flag carrier operates three daily flights from JFK to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) using its Airbus A350 and Boeing 777. It also recently reintroduced its award-winning First Class offering on the route, strengthening its commitment to North America as one of its key markets.

Photo: First Class meal service. Courtesy of Cathay Pacific

But following its agreement with JFK Millennium Partners, Cathay Pacific customers can look forward to using the brand-new terminal’s cutting-edge facilities, which promise to be ’boutique-style’ and ‘digital-first,’ with automated baggage systems, the latest TSA screening technologies, sustainably sourced building materials, and NYC-inspired retail outlets and dining options.

“We are thrilled to partner with a world-renowned carrier like Cathay Pacific, who shares our vision and commitment to an outstanding guest experience,” said Steve Thody, CEO of JFK Millennium Partners. “We can’t wait to welcome Cathay Pacific’s passengers to our world-class T6 facility, and we look forward to a long and successful partnership.”

Cathay Pacific’s move to Terminal 6 will also allow the airline to open a 10,000-square-foot lounge—its first-ever lounge in the New York area and its second-largest in the U.S. after San Francisco (SFO). However, with the construction of the new space still in its early stages, details of the new lounge remain thin.

Cathay Pacific and its flagship lounge, The Pier, in Hong Kong clinched the title of Best Airline Lounge in the world at the Business Traveler Awards last year. Given this accolade, it’s safe to anticipate that the lounge at JFK will be a top-tier addition to the airport’s lounge offerings.

Photo: The Pier. Courtesy of Cathay Pacific

“New York JFK is among the top locations in our global lounge strategy,” said Vivian Lo, General Manager of Customer Experience and Design at Cathay Pacific. “We are truly excited by this opportunity to bring the signature Cathay Pacific lounge experience to our premium customers at this important point in our network.

“This new lounge will feature a number of exciting developments that will put it at the forefront of our lounge proposition, and we look forward to sharing more details with our customers at the appropriate time.”