Airline joins Star Alliance partners Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and ANA in new state-of-the-art Terminal
NEW YORK and MONTREAL, Jan. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — JFK Millennium Partners (JMP), the company selected by the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey to build and operate John F. Kennedy International Airport’s new world-class Terminal 6 (T6), and Air Canada, Canada’s largest airline and a Skytrax Four-Star rated carrier, today announced that Air Canada will operate from T6 when it opens to passengers in 2026, joining fellow Star Alliance partners Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and ANA as future T6 airlines.
Terminal 6 is a key component of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s $19 billion transformation of JFK International Airport into a world-class gateway, with two new terminals, two expanded and modernized terminals, a new ground transportation center, and an entirely new, simplified roadway network.
Air Canada passengers can look forward to T6’s digital-first, boutique guest experience, with a less than 5-minute average walk from the TSA security checkpoint exit to all gates,100,000 square feet of NYC-inspired shopping, dining, lounges and amenities, curated public art, sustainable operating features, and a premium guest experience throughout the terminal.
Air Canada Express-Jazz currently operates two daily flights from Toronto and one daily flight from Montreal to JFK Terminal 7 using its highly-rated Embraer E175 aircraft, with all flights pre-cleared for U.S. customs and immigration in Canada. The JFK service, which has been in place since March 2023, complements Air Canada’s existing operations at New York’s LaGuardia and Newark Airport, offering passengers a combined total of 36 daily flights between the New York market and Canada.
Together with Lufthansa, Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network. It is also the only international network carrier in North America to receive a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax.
“We are thrilled that Air Canada has selected T6 as its future home at JFK, where passengers can expect a boutique, premium experience,” said Steve Thody, CEO, JFK Millennium Partners. “This decision is also a testament to the close partnership we’ve built with Air Canada at T7, and we can’t wait to strengthen that partnership even further as we welcome Air Canada passengers to our new, state-of-the-art T6 facility,” Thody added.
“New York is extremely popular for business, leisure and family travel for Canadians, and we are pleased to serve all the city’s major airports. Moving our operation to T6 will improve the airport experience for our customers and facilitate connections with our partners. Through our connections at our Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver hubs, travelers from New York can easily reach anywhere in Canada or onward on our international network,” said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President of Revenue and Network Planning at Air Canada.
About JFK Terminal 6
Currently under construction at John F. Kennedy International Airport, Terminal 6 is being developed in two phases, with the first six gates opening in 2026 and construction completion expected by 2028. Terminal 6 features include:
- 10 gates, of which nine will accommodate widebody aircraft
- State-of-the-art automated baggage system, customs/border control facilities, and the latest TSA screening technologies
- One of the longest departures curbs at JFK, with airline-branded passenger drop-off zones
- Multiple airline lounges, in addition to a new arrivals lounge
- A new ground transportation center
- A curated collection of New York City-inspired artwork featuring local and international artists, curated by the Public Art Fund in partnership with JMP and the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey
- Sustainably-sourced building materials, rooftop solar power, and energy efficient systems and operating practices throughout the terminal
- Sustainability certifications for LEED (silver or gold), Envision and SITES underway
About JFK Millennium Partners
Terminal 6 is an award-winning public-private partnership between the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey and JFK Millennium Partners – a consortium that includes Vantage Group, an industry leading investor, developer and manager of award-winning global airport projects, including LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B; American Triple I, a certified minority-owned investor, owner, developer and manager of infrastructure assets; RXR, an innovative New York real estate investor and developer; and JetBlue Airways, New York’s hometown airline. When complete, Terminal 6 will connect seamlessly with Terminal 5 to create an anchor terminal on JFK International Airport’s north side. For more information, visit https://www.anewjfk.com/jmp-terminal6/
About Air Canada
Air Canada is Canada’s largest airline, the country’s flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network. Air Canada provides scheduled service directly to more than 180 airports in Canada, the United States and Internationally on six continents. It holds a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax. Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is Canada’s premier travel loyalty program, where members can earn or redeem points on the world’s largest airline partner network of 45 airlines, plus through an extensive range of merchandise, hotel and car rental partners. Through Air Canada Vacations, it offers more travel choices than any other Canadian tour operator to hundreds of destinations worldwide, with a wide selection of hotels, flights, cruises, day tours, and car rentals. Its freight division, Air Canada Cargo, provides air freight lift and connectivity to hundreds of destinations across six continents using Air Canada’s passenger and freighter aircraft. Air Canada’s climate ambition includes a long-term aspirational goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. For additional information, please see Air Canada’s TCFD disclosure. Air Canada shares are publicly traded on the TSX in Canada and the OTCQX in the US.
SOURCE JFK Millennium Partners