Delta is spending $1.5 billion to upgrade New York's largest airport — see the improvements so far

Taylor RainsMar 28, 2023, 16:19 IST

Delta is investing $1.5 billion into New York-JFK Terminal 4.Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines is investing $1.5 billion into New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.
The carrier has already opened an upgraded check-in lobby, 10 new gates, and a new cargo building.

In December 2021, Delta Air Lines broke ground on its $1.5 billion upgrade at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. Improvements target the passenger experience and airport infrastructure.

Delta's Terminal 4 expansion broke ground in December 2021.Delta Air Lines

In December 2021, Delta Air Lines broke ground on its $1.5 billion upgrade at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. Improvements target the passenger experience and airport infrastructure.

The carrier previously split its operations between Terminal 2 and Terminal 4, which were not directly connected. Travelers could take a complimentary shuttle bus to reach the other without re-clearing security.

Taylor Rains/Insider

The carrier previously split its operations between Terminal 2 and Terminal 4, which were not directly connected. Travelers could take a complimentary shuttle bus to reach the other without re-clearing security.

But, as of January 14, 2023, Delta has officially consolidated its operations to Terminal 4 to offer passengers a "seamless travel experience."

Delta Air Lines at JFK.Ron Adar/Shutterstock

The project will complement the carrier's $4 billion investment into the neighboring LaGuardia Airport, which got a completely new Terminal C that opened in June 2022.

Delta Air Lines

The overhaul touched every part of the facility, including gates, security, bag claim, and check-in. Delta even added a sensory room and opened a new Sky Club lounge.

The new sensory room at LGA Terminal C.Taylor Rains/Insider

While the JFK project is not as substantial as LaGuardia, it shows Delta's commitment to New York airports, with investments totaling $7 billion since 2010.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Delta still has work to do at JFK, but it has so far opened updated gates, ticket counters, and most recently a new cargo facility — take a look.

A Delta plane at Terminal 4 JFK taken from the Concourse B Sky Club.Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

The first big upgrade is check-in. Delta has added more stations so it can more efficiency accommodate customers.

Delta's new check-in lobby at Terminal 4.Taylor Rains/Insider

The airline has also added more bag drop locations and self-service kiosks…

Taylor Rains/Insider

…a digital wall backdrop, which has information like flight status and Sky Club crowds…

Taylor Rains/Insider

…and a dedicated Sky Priority area, giving premium travelers more space.

Taylor Rains/Insider

On the far right side of the Terminal 4 check-in lobby is the Delta One check-in area.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Only a handful of eligible travelers can use this space, including those in Delta's long-haul or transcontinental business class, Delta 360 members, KLM world business class passengers, Virgin Atlantic Upper Class, and Virgin's flying club gold members.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Only a handful of eligible travelers can use this space, including those in Delta's long-haul or transcontinental business class, Delta 360 members, KLM world business class passengers, Virgin Atlantic Upper Class, and Virgin's flying club gold members.

Eventually, Delta plans to build a separate room for Delta One travelers, as well as a dedicated TSA lane that connects directly to the check-in lobby, Ryan Marzullo, Delta's managing director of design and construction, told The Points Guy.

Taylor Rains/Insider

Eventually, Delta plans to build a separate room for Delta One travelers, as well as a dedicated TSA lane that connects directly to the check-in lobby, Ryan Marzullo, Delta's managing director of design and construction, told The Points Guy.

Customers will also find upgrades past security, including 10 new spacious gates in Concourse A…

One new one was opened in Concourse B, with another 28 to follow.Delta Air Lines

…and a temporary Sky Club Express lounge located on the second level near security. But, the lounge will only remain open until summer 2023, which is when a new 14,000-square-foot Sky Club is slated to open.

Delta new Terminal 4 Sky Club rendering.Delta Air Lines

…and a temporary Sky Club Express lounge located on the second level near security. But, the lounge will only remain open until summer 2023, which is when a new 14,000-square-foot Sky Club is slated to open.

Although Delta already has a Sky Club by the B gates, increased operations in Terminal 4 could contribute to even more overcrowding that already impacts Delta's lounges.

A line outside the new Sky Club at LGA Terminal C.Taylor Rains/Insider

Although Delta already has a Sky Club by the B gates, increased operations in Terminal 4 could contribute to even more overcrowding that already impacts Delta's lounges.

In addition to two Sky Clubs, the carrier also plans to add a one-of-a-kind lounge dedicated to Delta One flyers. The 36,000-square-foot space will feature a "personalized, dedicated level of service that further elevates the lounge experience."

Delta One suite on the 767-400ER.Delta Air Lines

In addition to two Sky Clubs, the carrier also plans to add a one-of-a-kind lounge dedicated to Delta One flyers. The 36,000-square-foot space will feature a "personalized, dedicated level of service that further elevates the lounge experience."

Other future improvements include upgrades to bag claim and arrivals, new artwork and bathrooms, and 28 additional gates in Concourse B.

The restrooms at LGA Terminal C (pictured) have mosaic artwork representing NYC.Taylor Rains/Insider

Delta is also upgrading its cargo operations — a business that allows the airline to generate more revenue by carrying freight in the belly of passenger planes.

Delta Air Lines

Delta's vice president of cargo, Rob Walpole, told Insider it has had to adjust its cargo business through the pandemic, capitalizing on the increased demand for air transport created by bottlenecked shipping ports.

Delta got permission from the FAA to transport cargo in the passenger cabin during the pandemic. (These were cargo-only flights.)Delta Air Lines

Delta's vice president of cargo, Rob Walpole, told Insider it has had to adjust its cargo business through the pandemic, capitalizing on the increased demand for air transport created by bottlenecked shipping ports.

As a result, Delta pocketed $1 billion in cargo revenue in both 2022 and 2021. That is compared to $753 million in 2019.

Taylor Rains/Insider

To further increase capacity, the airline recently opened a 15,000-square-foot cooler, which is essentially a giant refrigerator that will handle things like produce and pharmaceuticals.

Taylor Rains/Insider

To further increase capacity, the airline recently opened a 15,000-square-foot cooler, which is essentially a giant refrigerator that will handle things like produce and pharmaceuticals.

The building has four chambers and direct ramp access, meaning workers can quickly get the temperature-controlled products from the cooler to the aircraft in line with healthy safety guidelines.

Taylor Rains/Insider

The building has four chambers and direct ramp access, meaning workers can quickly get the temperature-controlled products from the cooler to the aircraft in line with healthy safety guidelines.

Walpole said New York-JFK's location allows the carrier to efficiently transport freight to places like Europe, Latin America, and the Midwest. The airline currently has 35 flights a day to Europe, which is a large pharmaceutical manufacturing market.

Inside the cooler at Delta's Atlanta hub.Delta Air Lines

Walpole said New York-JFK's location allows the carrier to efficiently transport freight to places like Europe, Latin America, and the Midwest. The airline currently has 35 flights a day to Europe, which is a large pharmaceutical manufacturing market.

With the new facility, Walpole told Insider that the carrier expects to increase revenue by 300%.

Inside the cooler at Delta's Atlanta hub.Delta Air Lines

He further explained the cooler will help Delta continue to grow the lucrative revenue stream post-COVID, despite the recent downtick in cargo demand due to economic uncertainties, like inflation and the war in Ukraine.

Delta shipping vaccines during the pandemic.Delta Air Lines

He further explained the cooler will help Delta continue to grow the lucrative revenue stream post-COVID, despite the recent downtick in cargo demand due to economic uncertainties, like inflation and the war in Ukraine.

"Revenue may go down because cargo is a cyclical business," he said. "We look to increase our share of premium products, which will enable us to increase our yield per unit."

Delta Air Lines

"Revenue may go down because cargo is a cyclical business," he said. "We look to increase our share of premium products, which will enable us to increase our yield per unit."

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Delta is spending $1.5 billion to upgrade New York's largest airport &mdash; see the improvements so far

In December 2021, Delta Air Lines broke ground on its $1.5 billion upgrade at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. Improvements target the passenger experience and airport infrastructure.

The carrier previously split its operations between Terminal 2 and Terminal 4, which were not directly connected. Travelers could take a complimentary shuttle bus to reach the other without re-clearing security.

But, as of January 14, 2023, Delta has officially consolidated its operations to Terminal 4 to offer passengers a "seamless travel experience."

The project will complement the carrier's $4 billion investment into the neighboring LaGuardia Airport, which got a completely new Terminal C that opened in June 2022.

The overhaul touched every part of the facility, including gates, security, bag claim, and check-in. Delta even added a sensory room and opened a new Sky Club lounge.

While the JFK project is not as substantial as LaGuardia, it shows Delta's commitment to New York airports, with investments totaling $7 billion since 2010.

Delta still has work to do at JFK, but it has so far opened updated gates, ticket counters, and most recently a new cargo facility — take a look.

The first big upgrade is check-in. Delta has added more stations so it can more efficiency accommodate customers.

The airline has also added more bag drop locations and self-service kiosks…

…a digital wall backdrop, which has information like flight status and Sky Club crowds…

…and a dedicated Sky Priority area, giving premium travelers more space.

On the far right side of the Terminal 4 check-in lobby is the Delta One check-in area.

Only a handful of eligible travelers can use this space, including those in Delta's long-haul or transcontinental business class, Delta 360 members, KLM world business class passengers, Virgin Atlantic Upper Class, and Virgin's flying club gold members.

Eventually, Delta plans to build a separate room for Delta One travelers, as well as a dedicated TSA lane that connects directly to the check-in lobby, Ryan Marzullo, Delta's managing director of design and construction, told The Points Guy.

Customers will also find upgrades past security, including 10 new spacious gates in Concourse A…

…and a temporary Sky Club Express lounge located on the second level near security. But, the lounge will only remain open until summer 2023, which is when a new 14,000-square-foot Sky Club is slated to open.

Although Delta already has a Sky Club by the B gates, increased operations in Terminal 4 could contribute to even more overcrowding that already impacts Delta's lounges.

In addition to two Sky Clubs, the carrier also plans to add a one-of-a-kind lounge dedicated to Delta One flyers. The 36,000-square-foot space will feature a "personalized, dedicated level of service that further elevates the lounge experience."

Other future improvements include upgrades to bag claim and arrivals, new artwork and bathrooms, and 28 additional gates in Concourse B.

Delta is also upgrading its cargo operations — a business that allows the airline to generate more revenue by carrying freight in the belly of passenger planes.

Delta's vice president of cargo, Rob Walpole, told Insider it has had to adjust its cargo business through the pandemic, capitalizing on the increased demand for air transport created by bottlenecked shipping ports.

As a result, Delta pocketed $1 billion in cargo revenue in both 2022 and 2021. That is compared to $753 million in 2019.

To further increase capacity, the airline recently opened a 15,000-square-foot cooler, which is essentially a giant refrigerator that will handle things like produce and pharmaceuticals.

The building has four chambers and direct ramp access, meaning workers can quickly get the temperature-controlled products from the cooler to the aircraft in line with healthy safety guidelines.

Walpole said New York-JFK's location allows the carrier to efficiently transport freight to places like Europe, Latin America, and the Midwest. The airline currently has 35 flights a day to Europe, which is a large pharmaceutical manufacturing market.

With the new facility, Walpole told Insider that the carrier expects to increase revenue by 300%.

He further explained the cooler will help Delta continue to grow the lucrative revenue stream post-COVID, despite the recent downtick in cargo demand due to economic uncertainties, like inflation and the war in Ukraine.

"Revenue may go down because cargo is a cyclical business," he said. "We look to increase our share of premium products, which will enable us to increase our yield per unit."

Delta is spending $1.5 billion to upgrade New York's largest airport — see the improvements so far