Key Takeaways
• Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines will join American Airlines at JFK Terminal 8 by October 2025 for easier passenger connections.
• Alaska Air Group’s acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines is expected to finalize by late 2024, with Hawaiian joining Oneworld by 2026.
• First Class flyers get expanded lounge access; smoother baggage transfers and check-ins are benefits of this terminal consolidation.
Passengers traveling through New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) will soon see some big changes meant to make flying simpler and smoother. As of April 22, 2025, Hawaiian Airlines has completed its move from Terminal 4 to Terminal 8 at JFK, and Alaska Airlines will finish moving from Terminal 7 to Terminal 8 by October 2025. This means that soon, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines will all operate together out of Terminal 8. British Airways will also continue to be a key part of Terminal 8. These moves aim to make air travel easier for millions of people flying in and out of one of the busiest airports in the United States 🇺🇸.
Three Airlines, One Terminal: What’s Happening?
A big change is happening at JFK. Hawaiian Airlines has already completed its move, and Alaska Airlines will be done by later this year. American Airlines is already at Terminal 8. British Airways, which is also part of the Oneworld alliance, will remain in Terminal 8.
Bringing these airlines together under one roof is expected to create a more connected and user-friendly airport experience. Past reports show that splitting airlines between terminals can lead to longer walks, confusing transfers, and extra time spent getting to your next flight. With American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines all at Terminal 8, passengers no longer need to worry about long walks or complicated transfers when changing flights between these carriers.
Terminal 8 is one of JFK’s largest terminals, known for being modern, spacious, and home to many international flights. With this shift, more travelers will pass through Terminal 8, making it a central hub for connecting flights all around the United States 🇺🇸 and beyond.
Why This Move Matters for Passengers
If you are flying with American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, or Hawaiian Airlines, these changes can help you save both time and stress. By grouping these carriers together, passengers will see:
- Shorter walking distances: You don’t have to rush between terminals to catch your next flight if your connection involves one of these three airlines.
- Streamlined check-in: Passengers can check in at one terminal even if they are traveling on a mix of these airlines. This cuts down on confusion and wasted time.
- Better baggage handling: Bags will move more easily between planes, reducing the chance of lost or delayed luggage.
- Simpler, faster transfers: If you need to change planes between these airlines, you’ll now stay in one place. No more running to another terminal or waiting for a shuttle bus.
These improvements are especially important at busy airports like JFK, where delays and missed connections can be common. The decision to move comes after similar shifts at airports in other major cities, including Los Angeles 🇺🇸, San Francisco 🇺🇸, Phoenix 🇺🇸, Sacramento 🇺🇸, Salt Lake City 🇺🇸, and Las Vegas 🇺🇸. Each of these locations now allows for quicker and more reliable connections when flying with these airlines.
Lounge Access Gets Better
Terminal 8 does not just make things easier when it comes to getting to your gate. It also offers more relaxing places to spend your time before a flight. With these changes:
- Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines First Class passengers can now use the American Airlines Admirals Club at JFK Terminal 8.
- Hawaiian Airlines’ First Class guests flying long distances (so-called long-haul guests) will also be welcomed into the American Airlines-operated Greenwich Flagship Lounge.
These lounges offer food, drinks, free Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, and quiet places to rest or work. For many travelers, lounge access is more than just a perk—it can make a long day of flying much easier to handle.
Closer Ties with the Oneworld Alliance
The changes at Terminal 8 are about more than just comfort and convenience. They are part of a bigger plan to bring Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines closer to the Oneworld alliance, which already includes American Airlines and British Airways.
Alaska Airlines is already a member of the Oneworld alliance. By 2026, following its acquisition by Alaska Air Group that is set to finish later this year, Hawaiian Airlines will also become a full member of the Oneworld alliance. This means:
- You’ll be able to earn and use airline miles across these airlines more easily.
- Status perks—like priority boarding or free checked bags—will be honored across all Oneworld airlines.
- Frequent flyers can expect more reliable and friendly service between these carriers.
When airlines work together in an alliance, they can offer more connected flights, shared airport lounges, and better treatment for loyal flyers. Bringing more airlines into the Oneworld family and grouping them together at key airports like JFK helps travelers in the United States 🇺🇸 and around the world.
How Will This Change Air Travel at JFK?
This move is not just about the passengers. There are big advantages behind the scenes, too. When airlines share a terminal, they can:
- Combine their ground staff to serve passengers from all three airlines more smoothly.
- Share baggage handling equipment, check-in spaces, and other resources which cuts costs and improves efficiency.
- Make better use of airport gates and boarding areas.
Amanda Zhang, representing American Airlines, commented that the company continues to spend money on improving JFK Terminal 8. She points to “new shops and restaurant options for customers to enjoy,” showing that changes are about more than just flights—they touch every part of the travel experience.
Alaska Airlines’ Shane Jones also said, “Terminal 8 is home to American Airlines—our long-standing Oneworld partner—and this move demonstrates our shared commitment to delivering seamless connectivity for our guests.” This shared commitment is meant to make air travel at JFK easier and friendlier, both now and in the future.
What Does This Mean for Loyalty Program Members?
If you’re part of a frequent flyer or loyalty program with American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, or Hawaiian Airlines, these changes bring new benefits:
- You can earn and use your airline miles when flying on any of these airlines with less hassle.
- If you have elite status on one airline, you’re more likely to get perks like priority boarding or free checked bags on the others.
- Members will enjoy smoother connections, lounge access, and shared customer service.
Aligning loyalty programs is a major win for regular travelers. When you book a ticket, you won’t have to worry if your airline is part of a different rewards scheme.
Nationwide Impact
This realignment is not just happening in New York 🇺🇸. Airlines are working to bring their operations closer together at big airports all across the United States 🇺🇸. At Los Angeles International Airport, both Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines now fly from Terminal 6, instead of being spread out across multiple locations. This allows for the same smoother connections and better service that travelers will now see at JFK.
Similar improvements are being rolled out at airports in San Francisco 🇺🇸, Phoenix 🇺🇸, Sacramento 🇺🇸, Salt Lake City 🇺🇸, and Las Vegas 🇺🇸. Passengers using these airports can look forward to:
- Consistent service and procedures, no matter which city you’re flying from.
- The ability to book mixed-carrier itineraries more easily.
- Reduced risk of missed connections or lost luggage when flights are on these airlines.
Making these changes across many airports shows that this approach is seen as the way forward, not just a one-time solution for JFK.
Official Process and Timeline
Here are the dates and details that matter most:
- April 22, 2025: Hawaiian Airlines finished moving from Terminal 4 to Terminal 8 at JFK.
- By October 2025: Alaska Airlines will finish its transition from Terminal 7 to Terminal 8, joining Hawaiian Airlines and American Airlines in the same terminal.
- Late 2024: Alaska Air Group’s acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines is expected to be finalized.
- By 2026: Hawaiian Airlines is expected to join the Oneworld alliance as a full member, further deepening cooperation.
By the end of October 2025, all travelers who use these airlines at JFK can expect a smoother, more coordinated experience.
The Broader Economic and Customer Impact
Having major airlines together in one terminal can help JFK and other airports offer more flights, improve customer satisfaction, and even attract business travelers. When travelers know their changing planes at the same terminal is easy and smooth, they are more likely to choose these carriers for future flights.
The airlines themselves also benefit. Combining some staff and facilities means they can save money. They can use those savings to keep ticket prices stable or invest in other areas, like technology or passenger comfort.
These improvements also matter for international travelers. Many who fly on international carriers connect to domestic U.S. flights. Having a more logical, less confusing transfer process makes flying through the United States 🇺🇸 simpler for people coming from around the world.
Response from the Airlines
Leaders at Alaska Airlines and American Airlines have talked about their goals for this move. Shane Jones, Senior Vice President at Alaska Airlines, explained, “This move demonstrates our shared commitment to delivering seamless connectivity for our guests.” Amanda Zhang added, “We continue to invest in JFK… bringing new shops and restaurant options for customers to enjoy.”
These statements show that the airlines are listening to their passengers and are making real changes aimed at making airline travel less stressful and more enjoyable.
What Should Travelers Do?
If you have flights on American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, or Hawaiian Airlines through JFK, you should check your terminal information carefully in advance. Updates on moves, new lounges, and check-in procedures will be shared by the airlines directly and on the JFK Airport website. Planning ahead will make sure your airport experience matches the improvements the airlines promise.
You can stay updated and see current official terminal assignments on the JFK Airport Terminal Guide page.
A New Standard for Airport Convenience
These changes bring together three of the largest U.S. carriers under one roof at New York’s JFK Terminal 8. The main goals: faster, simpler connections, improved lounge experiences, easier check-ins, and smarter use of airport space. All of this is possible because of the close links between these airlines and their drive to put the passenger first.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, these updates are part of a larger trend across the country where airlines are streamlining and combining efforts to help passengers have a better, friendlier flying experience. The results at JFK are likely just the beginning, with improvements expected to continue rolling out at airports nationwide.
Recap: What Passengers Need to Know
- American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines will all operate out of Terminal 8 at JFK by October 2025.
- Transferring between these airlines will be easier and quicker.
- First Class guests will enjoy expanded lounge access in Terminal 8.
- Alaska Airlines is already a member of the Oneworld alliance, and Hawaiian Airlines will join by 2026.
- Airports across the country will see these types of changes, making connections easier for travelers coast-to-coast.
Change can be hard, but the goal behind this move is simple: make flying less stressful and more seamless for everyone, no matter which airline you choose. Passengers who travel often should keep an eye on updates from all three airlines to make sure they’re getting the most from these new enhancements at Terminal 8 and other major airports.
Learn Today
Oneworld alliance → A global partnership of airlines that offers shared benefits like lounge access, earned miles, and coordinated flights.
Terminal consolidation → The process of moving multiple airlines into a single airport terminal to simplify passenger transfers and operations.
Admirals Club → American Airlines’ airport lounge providing amenities like food, Wi-Fi, and comfortable seating for eligible travelers.
Greenwich Flagship Lounge → A premium lounge at JFK Terminal 8 offering upgraded food, quiet spaces, and services for select long-haul First Class passengers.
Alaska Air Group acquisition → Alaska Air Group’s purchase of Hawaiian Airlines, expected to finalize in late 2024, leading to future alliance integration.
This Article in a Nutshell
By October 2025, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines will all operate from Terminal 8 at JFK. This major shift means easier connections, shared lounges, and more streamlined check-ins for passengers. The move boosts efficiency, enhances lounge access, and is part of a nationwide airport improvement trend.
— By VisaVerge.com
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