BA unveils its planned redevelopment of New York JFK Terminal 7

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Late last year, British Airways unveiled a planned $60million revamp of its home at New York JFK Terminal 7.

Today, the airline has provided further information of what, and what isn’t, happening with the planned development of the terminal which is to be completed over the next two years.

BA has confirmed that the development will include redeveloped general check-in areas, a new premium check-in area, a new food court post security, redeveloped First and Club World lounges and pre-flight dining facilities, and refurbished gate areas.

Passengers of other airlines which also use JFK Terminal 7, such as ANA, Icelandair, and Qantas, will also benefit from many of these improvements.

The Concorde Room which is for use by passengers travelling in First Class and Concorde Room Cardholders will receive, to use BA lexicon, a “refresh” after being refurbished a few years ago.

The airline has today issued images of the planned check-in and post security areas, but not the new lounges. A cynic might wonder whether BA has rushed out this announcement in order to maintain momentum after a recent PR event for its new London Gatwick lounges and First Wing at London Heathrow Terminal 5.

There is also no mention of redeveloping the immigration hall which can become extremely congested and is ill-suited to manage queues for both self-service kiosks and manned immigration desks.

It is also has to be said that the development is less ambitious in some respects than what was originally planned for JFK Terminal 7 before the 2008 financial crisis. Gone are proposals to create a “drive through” check-in for First Class and Gold Executive Club cardholders.

The refurbishment programme will begin on Wednesday 3 May 2017 with the closure and refurbishment of the First Class / Gold Executive Club check-in area.

Update January 2018: The First lounge has now closed for refurbishment. In the interim, Gold Executive Club cardholders are invited to use the Club World lounge. Passengers travelling First Class can continue to use the Concorde Room as normal.

Update June 2018: The Elemis travel spa and showers are closed for refurbishment from Saturday 7 July to Monday 30 July 2018.

In terms of other related news, BA is due to debut new Club World catering on the London Heathrow – New York JFK route later this year. The airline should also shortly switch on WiFi on the Boeing 747s that regularly ply the London Heathrow – New York JFK route.

In terms of other lounge developments, other planned lounge refurbishments Chicago, Miami, San Francisco, Aberdeen, Manchester, Geneva, Rome and Johannesburg.