Travelers passing through Terminal 5 at John F. Kennedy International Airport this summer can access a wave of new dining and shopping venues, part of a multimillion-dollar refresh led by JetBlue, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and Fraport USA. When complete, the terminal will feature more than 40 new shops, restaurants, communal spaces, and art installations inspired by New York City and its boroughs.
To date, the Fraport New York team has welcomed nearly a dozen new arrivals. "At Terminal 5, we are creating more than an airport experience. We are creating a place that reflects the spirit of New York," said Jose Cuevas, vice president, Fraport New York, who is leading the concessions development. "The refresh is transforming the terminal, offering exceptional dining and retail experiences, art, entertainment, and thoughtfully designed gathering spaces that come together to foster discovery, comfort, and connection."
In June, the team marked the grand openings of several anticipated venues, including the Italian food destination Eataly and distinctly New York concepts such as Nom Wah and The Halal Guys.
Iconic New York names arrive at T5
Eataly unveiled a 3,800-square-foot restaurant, wine bar, and grab-and-go marketplace celebrating authentic Italian food and wine culture. In partnership with the Metropolitan Opera, the opening featured live performances by distinguished artists, showcasing works by Giacomo Puccini and Giuseppe Verdi. The program also included Leonard Bernstein's "Maria" from West Side Story.
Nom Wah, a 3,500-square-foot restaurant and bar, evokes a vintage 1920s dim sum parlor. The restaurant originally opened in Manhattan's Chinatown in 1920 and is recognized as the city's oldest continuously operating dim sum restaurant, known for its handmade dumplings and classic dishes.
The Halal Guys, a Midtown favorite, began as a street cart and gained fame for its halal chicken and gyro platters served with pita bread and its signature white sauce.
"Congratulations to JetBlue and Fraport USA for providing passengers with an authentic taste of New York as part of the $100 million refresh of JetBlue's flagship terminal," said JFK International Airport General Manager Teresa Rizzuto. "The addition of Eataly, Nom Wah Tea Parlor and The Halal Guys align with the Port Authority's vision for a new JFK with a uniquely New York experience that will become an enjoyable part of the passenger journey."
More openings and retail on the way
Additional NYC brands are slated to debut in the coming months. "Each new opening of our Terminal 5 refresh brings another flavor of our hometown for our customers to explore. We're so proud to celebrate the variety New York offers while giving our customers more choices to love, improving their experience even before takeoff," said Stephanie Evans Greene, senior vice president, marketing and brand at JetBlue.
Travelers in T5 can now find dishes from Leon's Bagels, Jacob's Pickles, Melt Shop, Dunkin', and Shake Shack. New retail offerings include InMotion, Park Emporium, and Gameway, an immersive gaming and relaxation lounge.
The transformation of the central concourse is nearing completion. The redesign aims to create a vibrant space inspired by the city's iconic parks, with dedicated areas for pop-up experiences, interactive events, and live performances that celebrate New York's cultural heritage. The gathering space, called Central Node Park, is expected to be completed in September.
"As new elements continue to come online, Terminal 5 is evolving into one of the most distinctive customer experiences in aviation. It is becoming a destination travelers will want to experience, not simply a place to pass through," Cuevas added.
Fraport USA develops and manages airport concessions programs across North America, including at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, Terminal 5 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, Nashville International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport's Terminal B, Ronald Reagan National Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide.
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