Air India’s JFK Terminal 6 Move Could Improve Canada Connections

July 22, 2026 Team Contributor

Air India will relocate its New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) operations to the new Terminal 6 (T6) in 2028, a move that could improve connections for passengers travelling between Canada and India. The transition marks another step in the airline’s ongoing transformation and broader North American expansion strategy.

Air India currently operates daily nonstop flights from New York to Delhi and Mumbai, making JFK a key gateway on the India-US corridor. With the shift from Terminal 4 to Terminal 6, travellers could benefit from a smoother airport experience, particularly through closer proximity to Air Canada and other Star Alliance partner airlines.

How JFK Terminal Strengthens India-US-Canada Travel 

Air India’s move to New JFK Terminal 6 is primarily aimed at enhancing the India-US travel experience, but the benefits could extend beyond the United States. By joining Air Canada and several other Star Alliance carriers in the same terminal, Air India will be positioned to offer smoother onward connections across North America through existing codeshare and interline partnerships.  

For Canadian travellers, the development could improve access to one-stop journeys between Canada and India via New York. Same-terminal transfers, shorter connection times and closer alignment with partner airlines may create a more seamless travel experience once Terminal 6 becomes fully operational in 2028.  

Why Terminal 6 is an Important Travel Gateway? 

The shift places Air India alongside 7 Star Alliance partners, including Air Canada, Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, ANA, Avianca and TAP Air Portugal. The shared location will improve onward connections across the Americas through existing codeshare and interline partnerships.  

Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Air India, said, “New York has long been one of India’s most important global gateways; it’s a relationship that spans more than six decades.”   

“Our move to Terminal 6 will complement the deployment of our flagship aircraft offering the “new Air India experience” to our customers. T6’s guest-centric design, operational efficiency and the proximity to fellow Star Alliance members will further elevate our customers’ experience and enable smoother, seamlessly connected journeys through JFK starting in 2028.” 

Top benefits for travellers include: 

• Same-terminal connections with multiple partner airlines.  

• Shorter walking distances from security to departure gates.  

• Modern wayfinding, upgraded facilities and a curated dining programme. 

• Direct connectivity with neighbouring Terminal 5.  

JFK Terminal 6 At a Glance 

Feature	Details
Opening timeline	First gates open in 2026; full completion expected in 2028.
Investment	Part of JFK Airport’s US$19 billion redevelopment; Terminal 6 itself represents a US$4.2 billion project.
Gates	10 gates, including 9 capable of handling widebody aircraft.
Sustainability	Rooftop solar panels, energy-efficient systems and all-electric ground support equipment.
Technology	Automated baggage handling and a new customs and border-control facility.

Air India’s New Lounge Plans 

A key feature of Air India’s move to JFK Terminal 6 is the opening of the first flagship Maharaja Lounge. The 9,100-square-foot facility will be located post-security and overlook the terminal’s commercial concourse, expanding Air India’s premium ground offering in North America. 

The announcement also comes at a time, a few months after Air India scaled down parts of its Canada network, amid higher operating costs. While the JFK move does not replace those services, it could strengthen alternative routing options through Air Canada’s network and other Star Alliance partners serving Terminal 6. 

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