BA & AA JFK T8 joint operations to begin Dec 2022
 

Excerpts from the BA official press release

• Preview of plans follows 2019 announcement to redevelop and expand Terminal 8
• Newly released designs showcase an enhanced premium guest experience
• American Airlines and British Airways to launch joint operations under one roof beginning December 2022

American Airlines and British Airways announced more details regarding plans to co-locate operations at John F. Kennedy International Airport’s (JFK) Terminal 8 beginning Dec. 1, 2022.

British Airways will remain in Terminal 7 until Dec. 1, 2022, and we have continued to invest in the experience for our customers, including our check-in area, concessions and lounges.”

As customers arrive at Terminal 8, a co-branded premium check-in area providing personalized, concierge-style service for top-tier guests will replace American’s former Flagship First Check-In space.

Once through security, three distinctive custom lounges combining the best of both brands will provide a refined, welcoming preflight experience for select guests based on cabin of travel and loyalty program status. The expanded premium lounge offerings will incorporate seating for approximately 1,000 of American and British Airways’ most loyal customers. Each lounge has been designed with original high-end finishes — evoking a unique sense of space while elevating the experience and service offered to every guest.

• The most exclusive lounge will have an all-new champagne bar, fireside lounge and a la carte dining room, which reimagines American’s Flagship First Dining into a fully immersive experience.
• Adjacent, another premium lounge — with sweeping airside views, a wine bar, cocktail lounge, library and buffet — will offer an elevated, lively experience.
• American’s Flagship Lounge and Concourse B Admirals Club will be repurposed into a contiguous lounge for eligible business class customers.

While disruptions to the customer journey remain limited, American’s Flagship First Check-in at JFK is expected to close beginning Feb. 1 for construction. Premium customers traveling on eligible itineraries will be directed to temporary check-in counters located nearby. All lounge spaces will remain open and operational through the duration of the redevelopment project. Following completion, the Concourse B Admirals Club will close. The Concourse C Admirals Club will continue to serve members, qualifying elite customers and those traveling on eligible itineraries.

Until operations are fully transitioned to Terminal 8 in December, British Airways will continue to provide a world-class experience for their customers at JFK’s Terminal 7.

Now then, does this mean the end of Concorde Room JFK after 1st December 2022...? :-o

BA relocates to JFK T8 on 1 Dec 2022
 

So, it's official and they've set the date. More details in the BA press release

AMERICAN AIRLINES AND BRITISH AIRWAYS UNVEIL PLANS FOR ENHANCEMENTS TO THE WORLD-CLASS CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE AT JFK’S TERMINAL 8When complete later this year, premium customers traveling on both airlines and other oneworld partners will have access to a reimagined journey through JFK depicted by newly released artist illustrations.

As customers arrive at Terminal 8, a co-branded premium check-in area providing personalized, concierge-style service for top-tier guests will replace American’s former Flagship First Check-In space. Thoughtfully designed architectural elements will also define an exclusive new check-in space for eligible business customers.

Once through security, three distinctive custom lounges combining the best of both brands will provide a refined, welcoming preflight experience for select guests based on cabin of travel and loyalty program status. The expanded premium lounge offerings will incorporate seating for approximately 1,000 of American and British Airways’ most loyal customers. Each lounge has been designed with original high-end finishes — evoking a unique sense of space while elevating the experience and service offered to every guest.

• The most exclusive lounge will have an all-new champagne bar, fireside lounge and a la carte dining room, which reimagines American’s Flagship First Dining into a fully immersive experience.
• Adjacent, another premium lounge — with sweeping airside views, a wine bar, cocktail lounge, library and buffet — will offer an elevated, lively experience.
• American’s Flagship Lounge and Concourse B Admirals Club will be repurposed into a contiguous lounge for eligible business class customers.

While disruptions to the customer journey remain limited, American’s Flagship First Check-in at JFK is expected to close beginning Feb. 1 for construction. Premium customers traveling on eligible itineraries will be directed to temporary check-in counters located nearby. All lounge spaces will remain open and operational through the duration of the redevelopment project. Following completion, the Concourse B Admirals Club will close. The Concourse C Admirals Club will continue to serve members, qualifying elite customers and those traveling on eligible itineraries.

Some images from the press release
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...885433d38c.jpg
Check-in

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b909de1ed0.jpg
Premium Lounge

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...3c0dd0f04c.jpg
Most exclusive lounge

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b91f9ea209.jpg
Expanded terminal/new gates

Images already uploaded :p

One thing which I won't miss from T7 is arriving close to the stand and then having to be towed to the gate, but I think the CCR will be a big loss at JFK.

Link to the Press Release:

Newsroom - American Airlines and British Airways Unveil Exciting Plans for Enhancements to the World-Class Customer Experience at JFK’s Terminal 8 - American Airlines Group, Inc. (aa.com)

Pilot37

Looks a bit like a section of Cathay F HKG

^ but this is still my biggest question, as otherwise that'd be a big devaluation of JFK departures IMO

...and like the bar in the BA First Class lounge that was in T1.

Doc Copper

I assume Flagship dining will be shared between BA and AA first etc.

I would imagine that the "most exclusive lounge" will be a merger of the BA CCR and AA FFD, so only for those flying First plus GGL/CK.

If so, is the "another premium lounge" akin to the AA Flagship Lounge + BA First - Silvers/Business have access to AA FF, but not BA First.

Twitter reporting no specific BA lounge at T7, so no CCR!

Pilot37

Hardly surprising given AA and BA are co-locating ……..

Where is this new CCR / F lounge supposed to be going? Where the lounge is on the opposite side of the reception desks to the Flagship lounge?

So things will be like CCR, GF and GC - bit of a walk if the GC type lounge is at the B gates.

My understanding is the ‘most exclusive lounge’ will be the equivalent of the CCR, the ‘premium lounge’ will be the equivalent of the First lounge, and the ‘contiguous lounge’ will be the equivalent of the Club lounge.

There will still be three classes of lounge, albeit shared by AA equivalents.

Whilst the lounge situation will undoubtedly be a pain to those travelling in first. This will have benefits in terms of ease of connections especially for TP Runs. Also easier in terms of IRROPS with more replacements available.

I wonder if the next announcement will be that this will be reciprocated in T5 along with have the Customs/Immigration Pre Clearance done there. That would be a massive bonus for going to the states

It could also mean more BA European flights going from T3........ (Thinks wistfully about the CX Lounge)

Flagship lounge access was a big bonus for OW Sapphires. I hope the new ‘Club’ lounge is a significant step up from your average Admirals Club (AC)

I did see reference to AA retaining an AC in T8. So perhaps that will remain for AA domestic pax, and the new ‘Club’ lounge will be a genuine international J lounge.

One other thing, I hope this doesn't affect OW Sapphires getting Flagship Lounge access across the AA network.

Massive difference to any Admirals Clubs out there.

Does the First Experience mean immersive as in seeming to surround the audience, player, so that one feel completely involved in? How does one feel completely involved in a La-Di-Da (as my old Mum would put it) Lounge? It sounds slightly sensual.

The second description could indeed fit that which I have heard about the Mile High Club.

Igenue I may be but this cannot be just hyperbolic blather surely?

Immersive because you’ll only be surrounded by F pax and GGLs/CKs? No longer having to wade through the mass of J pax to get to FFD 😁

Maybe we get proper TSA Pre benefits at T8. At T7(at least in 2019, we still had to remove laptops etc. given how they handled TSA Pre and the small priority security line didn't have it at all)

Enhancements!
 

BA seem to be planning to take “enhancements” to the next level by “enhancing” away dedicated British Airways lounges and a uniquely British experience in their most important overseas destination/departure airport.

Co-location at LHR T3 has never meant AA removing their American offering and, while being co-terminus with AA in T8 makes perfect sense, I really feel let down by BA with this planned implementation.

To allude to Robert Brooke - that corner of a foreign airport that is forever England and attributes a unique USP BA offering being lost on this most important route is a sad loss and retrograde step.

Oh Thank You Sugar. I was afraid that I might have to surmount a writhing mass of men. Well, I wasn't really afraid as I quite like challenges. Now you put at rest my mind that I shall be among equals rather than the Great Unwashed outside. Next you will doubtless tell me why they do not eat cake.

Considering a lot of the "British" experience with BA these days is nothing to be proud of, I'm looking forward to this.
I've been flying AA from JFK recently as I prefer the T8 experience.
Hopefully I'll be GGL later this year, so will get to experience everything during a pre-Xmas trip.

Is the terminal actually big enough to add BA planes on top of AA's own? What of any partners? Would mention CX, but not sure of their situation.

That is so true. Recent experience in Admirals Club in Tampa - the only complimentary beer was Coors Light on tap. All other drinks were charged. Food was just about non-existent; just a tapas selection.

In contrast, the Flagship Lounge in Miami was pretty good.

I don't think that's going to happen.

rb211.

There will be 2 new contact stands added at the end of the current terminal, plus 3 remote stands for BA to bus passengers to.

well this is certainly exciting. and i am surprised how the renderings are very much in the BA style language more than the AA style language.

all this lounge language does make it seem we will have three options with the highest being similar to CCR with a standard flagship style lounge and of course then normal AC left alone in terminal C -- and i gather they will use all the lounge space upstairs in the area with the current flagship lounge?

what im stressed by is the temporary closure of flagship first check in as the exit door is direct to the TSA pre check agents which is the best feature of that checkin!

I wonder if the "most exclusive" lounge will be called the Premier Lounge? Just a thought from this thread: Flagship Business Plus??? - FlyerTalk Forums

Can T8 accommodate A380s?

Travelling next December is certainly going to be exciting. I for one am going to watch from a distance to see what BA have learnt from their opening of T5.

No.

Ah, BA's favourite premium experience of cramming as many status passengers onto a bus to take them to a remote gate......

I'm half expecting this not to be completed on schedule. As with other building work, they may partially open a section whilst work continues.

I think moving to T8 from T7 vs T4 & T1 to T5 at Heathrow are 2 completely different scenario's. T8 is a fully operational terminal, and has been for many years with tried and tested systems and staff who know how it operates. If BA and AA staff co-locate, then job training can easily be arranged. The move to T8 is not in the same league as the move to T5.

Pilot37

Not for me. I’m want my seven plus hours of being able to eat British fruit I bring with on the plane! If there’s preclearance they’ll take away all such fresh food items before boarding

given my very negative experiences flying BA and being denied family access to the CCR at JFK, I hope AA dopes the same to BA elites if they have family with them at JFK. I complained to BA and AA and AA gave me some sympathy miles, but the BACCR lounge lizards told me to (politely) stuff it as it was me and 1 for entry not me and 3 (wife and two kids who were teen and preteen). AA always lets me in with my family. And at LHR, BA is equally discriminatory to OW Emeralds like me, so I detest this co location in behalf of all AA elites.

Well that's very mature of you. Hoping to make friends on this forum, are you?

I think for AA to move at Heathrow to T5 from T3 would need the T5 "D gates" satellite to be built...

Yes, TSA Pre is available at T8. T7's TSA Pre experience has improved the last year or two.

Shouldn't be a problem. Keep in mind, T8 has been operating under capacity even prior to Covid. AA has had a few rounds of schedule reductions in recent years at JFK while beefing up PHL.

But BA gives the same treatment to it's own BAEC Gold (OWE) - 1 guest only, not the entire family, so OWE are not being disadvantaged.

But you do raise a point about co-location - and how some of the nuances around the rules will be smoothed out.

This was and still is my only concern.

I have used flagship check-in a lot and the AA escort to the front of the regular security right up to the them checking your hand baggage has help save numerous connections.(never needed tsa pre before, maybe now).

Apart from that I pleased and about time too. I dislike T7 for lots of reasons.

But I will avoid connecting at jfk in December 😬