Parts of JFK’s Terminal 8 have been undergoing renovation for some time now. A couple of summers ago, American Airlines and the Port Authority (PANYNJ) announced a $125M investment to redevelop parts of the terminal. A part of this renovation will “bring more than 60 new shopping and restaurant offerings to the terminal,” which is much needed.
Terminal 8 can feel pretty empty. Although many Oneworld airlines have joined the buildings lately, it’s no secret that American hasn’t been able to use the terminal to its full potential.
One area for improvement for this terminal is the food and shopping options. The number of restaurants and stores in the building isn’t many, and they tend not to appeal to a lot of customers.
Part of American and PANYNJ’s investment includes the addition of new food and shopping options, and it’s been nice to see them slowly pop up in recent months. I was at JFK again yesterday, and had some time to explore both the main building and the satellite building.
The first thing I noticed was this new Shake Shack. This is next to gate 12.
The airport map on the American Airlines app has yet to add this Shake Shack, and neither has Google Maps. Don’t worry, they’re open even if you don’t see them online.
Just down past the Shake Shack is a new Starbucks. This is next to gate 10, and it also hasn’t been updated as a new store on the American Airlines app or Google Maps. Both of these stores seem to have opened within the last month or so.
You might be able to see in both of these photos above, but there’s another store under construction between the Shake Shack and Starbucks. A good portion of the terminal is still boarded up like this, especially the satellite building.
These stores have been here for some longer. Most of these are electronics and other duty-free stores.
Many parts of the satellite building are still boarded up and under renovation, but I spotted these new restaurants at the terminal, next to gate 35 and across from gate 34.
These are definitely very new; I estimate they opened within the past month.
I also noticed a Minutes Suites Express and an “I love NYC” gift shop in the same building.
As I said though, most of the satellite building is still boarded up like this.
Terminal 8 is also supposed to “feature a new Great Hall,” which I assume to be the rendering above. Knowing the terminal very well, I don’t really understand how that image is going to come to life. I get their vision, though.
All of that said, the new stores are definitely starting to pop up. This is a needed improvement for the terminal, especially with the Oneworld and other partner airlines coming into the building. Hawaiian recently joined here, and Alaska will fully be moving their operations here later this year or the beginning of next year.
I think Terminal 8 has a lot of potential, and I like the idea of it being a Oneworld-focused building. This makes connections easier for ongoing passengers, and allows Oneworld elite members to use their status to its full potential. If the building can do its job to accommodate that, I’d be happy as a frequent flyer of Terminal 8. These new restaurants and shops are a good start.
All photos taken by the author unless otherwise noted.
