American Airlines opens new terminal at New York JFK

Nicole Mezzasalma

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New terminal expands concessions and duty-free space by 80%

American Airlines (AA) has opened its new $1.3bn terminal at New York John F Kennedy airport this week, which will offer 42 concessions spaces covering nearly 53,000sq ft (4,924sq m) - an increase of 80% compared to the airline's previous terminal facilities. Brands operating at the new terminal include Tumi, Hugo Boss, Estee Lauder, Lacoste and Oakley.

AA's dedicated 1,583,493sq ft (147,111sq m) terminal has 36 gates, 19 of which are capable of handling international arrivals. The airline, owned by AMR Corp, serves about 8.5m passengers a year at JFK, but the new terminal is capable of handling about 13m. American flies from JFK to 38 destinations, 23 of them international, with 92 flights a day.

The company hopes the new terminal will help it to increase its customer focus on premium international travellers. AA senior vice-president global sales David Cush said: 'The business-class ticket on international flights is the most profitable product we sell."

AMR CEO Gerard Arpey said: "New York is an enormously important city for us. We have lots of opportunity for growth. I think we're just getting started." He added that AA plans new services to London, Barcelona and Milan from the facility.