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Air India has confirmed that it will move its New York operations to JFK’s new Terminal 6 beginning in 2028. The airline will join many of its Star Alliance partners and introduce its first flagship Maharaja Lounge, which will significantly enhance the experience for passengers connecting through JFK.
Air India to Move JFK Operations to Terminal 6 in 2028
Air India currently operates its daily nonstop flights from JFK to Delhi (DEL) and Mumbai (BOM) from Terminal 4 using a mix of Airbus A350 and Boeing 777 aircraft featuring the airline’s new and upgraded cabin products. Those operations will remain at Terminal 4 until the planned move to Terminal 6 in 2028.
Rendition of Air India at JFK T6
Once the relocation is complete, Air India will join a growing list of international airlines that have committed to the new terminal, allowing travellers to remain within the same terminal for many connecting itineraries. Terminal 6 has already been selected by 16 international airlines, including:
- Air Canada
- All Nippon Airways (ANA)
- Austrian Airlines
- Avianca
- Brussels Airlines
- Lufthansa
- SWISS
- TAP Air Portugal
- Aer Lingus
- Cathay Pacific
- Condor
- Icelandair
- JetBlue
- Kuwait Airways
- Norse Atlantic
- Air India
For Star Alliance members, having multiple partner airlines operating from the same terminal will reduce much of the inconvenience of changing terminals during international connections.
This is particularly relevant for Canadian travellers connecting through JFK, as both Air Canada and Air India will operate from the same terminal, making itineraries between Canada and India via New York much easier to navigate.
Air India will open its first flagship Maharaja Lounge at JFK
Alongside the terminal move, Air India has also announced plans to open its first flagship Maharaja Lounge at JFK. The new lounge will occupy approximately 9,100 square feet in a post-security location. This follows the recent opening of Air India’s signature Maharaja Lounge at SFO, expanding the airline’s premium ground experience across North America.
Air India Maharaja Lounge SFO
While detailed lounge amenities have not yet been released, Air India indicates that the lounge will reflect its renewed premium strategy by combining Indian hospitality with modern facilities for eligible premium cabin passengers and Star Alliance travellers.
Terminal 6 will open in two phases: the first gates are scheduled to begin operating in 2026, with the remaining gates and the full terminal expected to be completed by 2028. Once complete, Terminal 6 will feature ten gates, nine of which can accommodate widebody aircraft commonly used on long-haul international routes.
Takeaway
While Air India’s move to JFK Terminal 6 will not take place until 2028, the relocation will bring Air India together with a large group of Star Alliance partners under one roof, making connections through New York significantly more convenient for many travellers. At the same time, the opening of the airline’s first flagship Maharaja Lounge at JFK adds another premium facility for eligible passengers travelling between North America and India. Terminal 6 will gradually open over the next two years, with full completion in 2028.
