Air India to move JFK operations to Terminal 6 and open flagship Maharaja Lounge in 2028
Air India will shift from JFK Terminal 4 to Terminal 6 in 2028, alongside the opening of its first North American flagship Maharaja Lounge. The 9,100-square-foot lounge and terminal move are designed to strengthen the Tata-owned carrier’s premium experience and Star Alliance connectivity.
What happened
Air India will move JFK operations from Terminal 4 to Terminal 6 in 2028 and open its first North American flagship Maharaja Lounge. The move supports Star
Key facts
- 2028
- 9,100 square feet
- 16 international airlines
- $19 billion
- 2026
- daily non-stop flights
- 600 aircraft
- 2022
Why this matters
Air India’s Terminal 6 integration strengthens its strategic position within the JFK ecosystem, potentially expanding partnership and alliance-led traffic opportunities.
What to watch
- Terminal 6 construction milestones, opening phases, and confirmed Air India move date.
- JFK slot allocations and any announced Air India route, frequency, or aircraft upgrades.
- Details of lounge access policy, capacity, food-and-beverage program, and Star Alliance participation.
- Air India premium-cabin load factors, corporate account wins, Net Promoter Score, and loyalty enrollment in the New York catchment.
- Competitive lounge, schedule, and fare actions from Gulf carriers, United, and other India-US operators.
- Add or retime JFK frequencies to create more viable onward Star Alliance connections after the Terminal 6 transition.
- Use the lounge opening to expand premium corporate sales, loyalty-tier benefits, and co-branded credit-card acquisition in the New York market.
- Standardize upgraded ground and onboard service around the Maharaja Lounge proposition, including dedicated premium check-in, transfer support, and irregular-operations recovery.
- Assess additional North American lounge or premium-ground investments at gateways such as Newark, Chicago, San Francisco, or Toronto.