Spring travel season is here — and if you’re flying out of or into any of New York’s three major airports, there’s a lot happening right now that could affect your trip. Here’s the full rundown for April 2026.

JFK: Terminal 6 Phase One Opening in 2026

The most significant airport infrastructure news in New York right now is the opening of the new Terminal 6 at JFK International Airport. The first six gates are opening in the first half of 2026 as part of a $4+ billion redevelopment, and the terminal is already attracting a long list of airlines eager to move in.

Which Airlines Are Moving to Terminal 6?

The list of carriers confirmed for Terminal 6 includes: JetBlue, Air Canada, Aer Lingus, ANA, Avianca, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Condor, Frontier, Icelandair, Kuwait Airways, Lufthansa, Norse, SWISS, and TAP Air Portugal. If you’re flying any of these carriers, your departure terminal at JFK may have changed or may change soon.

What T6 Offers Passengers

• A digital-first, boutique experience — think less Port Authority circa 1985, more modern airport lounge
• Less than a 5-minute walk from TSA security exit to any gate
• 100,000 square feet of NYC-inspired shops, restaurants, and lounges
• Nine gates that can accommodate widebody aircraft
• Direct indoor walkway connection to Terminal 5 (JetBlue’s current home) — no re-clearing security

Action item: If you’re flying one of the airlines listed above in the coming months, double-check your terminal before leaving home. JFK’s terminal transition is phased, meaning some airlines may still operate from Terminal 7 while others have already moved. The fastest way to confirm: check your airline’s app the day before your flight.

💡 Commuter Tip: Terminal 6 is on JFK’s north side — same side as Terminals 4 and 5. If you’re taking the AirTrain from the Jamaica or Howard Beach stations, it’s a quick ride. Budget at least 45 minutes from the AirTrain station to clearing security in a new terminal you haven’t navigated before.

Newark (EWR): AirTrain Is Down — Here’s How to Get There

If you’re flying from Newark Liberty International Airport, the most important thing to know right now is this: the AirTrain Newark is not operating between the Airport Train Station and the terminals during weekday morning hours.

Effective January 15, 2026, AirTrain service between the Airport Train Station and all terminals has been suspended Monday through Friday from 5:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. as part of construction on the new $3.5 billion AirTrain Newark replacement system. This first phase of closure is expected to run through approximately Memorial Day weekend (May 22, 2026), when service is expected to briefly reopen.

What Replaces the AirTrain?

ADA-compliant shuttle buses are serving all terminals (A, B, and C), rental car facilities, and parking areas during the closure window. Shuttles run approximately every 4–5 minutes. If you’re arriving via NJ Transit or Amtrak at the Airport Train Station, catch the shuttle bus outside to reach your terminal.

Additional changes to note:

• Pick-up zones at Terminal A have changed as of February 13, 2026 due to construction activity
• Off-airport hotel/motel/rental car shuttles have moved from P4 Station to P3 Station — access P3 via AirTrain, then head to the lobby for shuttle pickup

If you’re flying out of EWR this spring and taking NJ Transit, budget an extra 15–20 minutes to account for the shuttle bus leg and any construction-related slowdowns around the terminal curbs.

LaGuardia (LGA): Post-Easter Delays Lingering

LaGuardia had a rough stretch in early April — on Tuesday, April 7 alone, the airport logged over 270 total disruptions, a mix of delays and cancellations. As a slot-controlled airport, LGA has no buffer to absorb network-wide cascades, meaning one weather system or major delay hub anywhere in the country can ripple badly into LaGuardia.

The good news: these were operational disruptions, not structural problems. But if you’re booking flights to or from LGA in April, a few practical strategies apply:

• Fly early: The first flight of the day is the least likely to face a cascading delay
• Build in buffer time: Don’t book a tight connection at another airport after a LGA departure this month
• Check real-time FAA status: The FAA’s flight delay information site (fly.faa.gov) gives ground delay programs in real-time

Getting to the Airports: Quick Reference

JFK: AirTrain from Jamaica (E, J, Z, LIRR) or Howard Beach (A train) — both operating normally. Ride-share and taxi curbside pickup at each terminal. Check your specific terminal before going given the T6 transition.

EWR: NJ Transit from Penn Station (Newark Airport stop) + shuttle bus to terminals during AirTrain downtime. Express buses from Port Authority Bus Terminal also serve EWR. Taxi/ride-share pickup is on the lower level curbs at each terminal.

LGA: M60 SBS bus connects to the 2/3/4/5/6 at 125th St and the N/W at Astoria–Ditmars Blvd. No direct subway service — plan for 30–45 minutes from Midtown by transit. Ride-share pickup is in designated zones at each terminal.