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Move over, sad airport sandwiches: Qatar Airways is bringing its five-star swagger to New York. The airline, fresh off being crowned World’s Best Airline 2025 by Skytrax, has announced it will open its first-ever dedicated U.S. lounge at John F. Kennedy International Airport. And not just anywhere: inside JFK’s much-hyped New Terminal One, the $19 billion showpiece currently rising on the airport’s south side.
Slated to debut in 2026, the 15,000-square-foot space is promising the kind of amenities that make you wish for a longer layover. Think: VIP check-in so you can breeze past the queues, prayer rooms, relaxation zones, children’s play areas and premium dining that goes far beyond reheated pasta. Oh, and a little duty-free shopping, because nothing says “vacation mode” like buying perfume you didn’t know you needed.
The new lounge will be exclusive to Qatar Airways Business Class passengers, who will also get the luxury of direct access to their gate—no frantic sprinting across terminals required. It’s all part of Qatar’s plan to bring a slice of its Hamad International Airport magic (regularly ranked the world’s best) to New York. With 18 weekly flights from JFK connecting travelers to more than 170 global destinations via Doha, the airline is making a statement in the U.S. market.
For JFK, the move is another feather in the cap of the New Terminal One, which is shaping up to be the crown jewel of the airport’s ongoing glow-up. When fully complete in 2030, the terminal will stretch 2.6 million square feet, boast 23 gates and basically rival LaGuardia’s entire new footprint. Terminal CEO Jennifer Aument calls it “a new standard for international travel,” with light-filled spaces, modern design and enough solar panels to power half the building.
Until then, Qatar Airways passengers can dream of their future spa-like lounge while still schlepping through Terminal 8, the airline’s current JFK home. But come 2026, business-class travelers can expect a ground experience as elevated as what’s waiting in the sky—whether that’s a glass of Champagne, a designer shopping bag or simply a quiet corner away from the chaos of JFK.
One thing’s certain: The world’s “best airline” is betting big on New York. And honestly? About time.