American and British Airways to expand JFK’s Terminal 8

Joint venture partners American and British Airways have begun renovation and expansion efforts on Terminal 8 at New York’s JFK International Airport. The project will add 70,400 square feet of additional space while also enhancing existing space. Once complete, passengers will find nine new gates, including five designated for wide-body aircraft, a new high-tech baggage system, premium check-in areas along with new lounges, restaurants, and shops. The new space will also allow British Airways to move from its current location in Terminal 7 over to Terminal 8, allowing for an improved experience for customers connecting to/from American Airlines flights.

Atlanta closes airport smoking lounges

In order to comply with a new city-wide smoke-free ordinance, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson airport has shuttered all of its indoor smoking lounges. The new laws also prohibit smoking or vaping in the three restaurants at the airport that used to still allow smoking. Passengers who want to smoke will have to exit the secure areas of the airport and go outside in order to light up.

New premium escapes for travelers in 2020

Travelers will find more opportunities to escape the hustle and bustle of busy departure terminals as a host of new lounges are slated to open in 2020. A new Centurion lounge and American Express Escape lounge opened this week at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. KLM passengers will find a renovated non-Schengen Crowne Lounge located between piers E and F at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. Priority Pass recently opened eight new lounges in four different countries. New additions include two locations at New York’s JFK and one in Miami. A new lounge is available in both Cancun and San Cristobal Airport on the Galapagos Islands. In Russia, a new facility is now open at Pobedilovo Airport and in an industry first, Priority Pass has partnered with Russian Railways to add two lounges at train stations in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Meanwhile, the Plaza Premium Group said it will open its first U.S. lounge at Dallas Fort Worth airport in 2020. It will follow that with new lounges in Denver, Jakarta, Sydney, and Toronto in 2020-21.

PreCheck benefits coming to smaller airports

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been quietly extending some PreCheck benefits to smaller airports that don’t have enough volume to justify separate screening lines. At these airports, the TSA is operating what they are calling “blended lanes,” where eligible members of PreCheck will receive a special designator when going through the regular security screening line that will allow them to keep on their shoes, light jackets and belts while also keeping their laptops and travel-sized liquids in their carry-on bags. Travelers are urged to enter their unique Known Traveler Number in all airline reservations so that they may be eligible for PreCheck screening benefits where and when applicable.

The latest on Status Match programs

United Airlines announced a new Status Match challenge that will allow Delta Medallion gold members to try MileagePlus Premier Gold. American Airlines Platinum Pro members are being invited to try MileagePlus Premier Platinum through the promotional program. However, the challenge is only available for 90 days and restrictions apply.

Delta offers an ongoing status match program that new customers can take advantage of as long as they can complete the designated challenge requirements. Then, while American does not have a formal status match program, it does offer a fast path to elite status. The carrier does not publish specifics on its program as status challenges vary, but interested travelers are invited to call AAdvantage customer service at 888-697-5636 for details.