Japan Airlines (JAL) has announced that it will be relocating its operations at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Terminal 8. This move brings JAL’s operations in New York City under the same roof as American Airlines, a joint business and Oneworld alliance partner, allowing smoother connections for customers and more coordination between the airlines.

Japan Airlines To Move To JFK Terminal 8

Japan Airlines plans to move to Terminal 8 with the move expected to take place in May 2023. This move brings JAL closer to its Pacific Joint Business (PJB) partner American Airlines.

The move will allow customers of both airlines to enjoy smoother, faster, and more convenient connections for passengers while connecting in New York. Previously, passengers connecting between Japan Airlines and American had to make a cumbersome connection between terminals.

“We are pleased to announce plans to move our operations at John F. Kennedy International Airport to Terminal 8, which will allow us to provide our customers with a more seamless travel experience including easier connections to and from American Airlines flights. And customers can look forward to the extensive upgrades and comforts American is planning at the new location.”

Makoto Maezawa, Senior Vice President – The Americas, Japan Airlines

Terminal 8 will be a state-of-the-art facility for customers traveling on JAL and American’s Pacific Joint Business flights. The new Terminal 8 features more than 130,000 square feet of new and refurbished customer and operational spaces, offering an enhanced travel experience for passengers which JAL customers will be able to take advantage of after the move.

JAL is also working to finalize the details of its new facilities in Terminal 8 and will be announcing them this spring. Hopefully, that includes a Japan Airlines lounge or at least more Japanese food options in the new American Airlines/British Airways Terminal 8 lounges 😉

Japan Airlines and American Airlines Pacific Joint Business

JAL offers up to two daily nonstop services from JFK to Tokyo. The new PJB co-location at Terminal 8 will provide customers of both airlines to connect within Terminal 8 for travel to and from Tokyo and beyond on JAL, and throughout the U.S., Central and South America on American.

Together, Japan Airlines and American Airlines operate up to 34 flights a day between North America and Japan. Their combined flight schedules operate from nine gateways throughout North America and three in Japan. The new PJB co-location at Terminal 8 will provide customers of both airlines with an enhanced travel experience in New York City.

“Terminal 8 is set to become a state-of-the-art facility for customers traveling on our Pacific Joint Business flights, with more than 130,000 square feet of new and refurbished customer and operational spaces. From several lounges for our most loyal guests to offering all customers more comfortable facilities, expanded food and retail options, Terminal 8 will be an enhanced experience for those traveling at JFK.”

Scott Laurence, Senior Vice President of Partnership Strategy, American Airlines

JFK Terminal 8 Becomes New York City’s Oneworld Hub

Japan Airlines’ move is the final major piece of consolidating the Oneworld Alliance’s operation in Terminal 8 at JFK. Terminal 8 was already the JFK home to Oneworld member carriers Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Qantas, Qatar Airways, and Royal Jordanian.

British Airways and Iberia will complete a move from Terminal 7 to the terminal by the end of the year. American began a $400 million renovation of Terminal 8 in early 2022 to prepare for the terminal’s increased usage. The moves left Japan Airlines and Royal Air Maroc in Terminal 1 and Alaska Airlines in Terminal 7 as the only Oneworld members without plans to colocate in Terminal 8.

With Japan Airlines announcing its move to Terminal 8, that leaves Royal Air Maroc and Alaska Airlines as the only Oneworld carriers without plans to relocate. There’s no word on whether either or both of them will join the rest of the alliance in Terminal 8.

Whether or not the holdouts join in, having the vast majority of Oneworld under one roof will make for a smoother travel experience for customers connecting to and from international flights in New York.

Bottom line

Japan Airlines (JAL) will colocate its operations at John F. Kennedy International Airport with American Airlines in Terminal 8. The move will allow the Pacific Joint Business (PJB) partners to coordinate more closely and improve the passenger experience. The new facility will feature more than 130,000 square feet of new and refurbished customer and operational spaces, offering an enhanced travel experience for passengers.