Internationally Renowned Italian Marketplace and Retail Concept Supports Port Authority’ and ASUR Airports Goal of Creating a World-Class Passenger Experience with Iconic Dining and Shopping
Photos of Eataly at JFK’s Terminal 8 Available Here
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and global restaurateur HMSHost, part of Avolta AG and a world leader in creating dining for travel venues, celebrated today’s debut of Eataly at John F. Kennedy International Airport’s (JFK) Terminal 8, marking the culmination of a strategic collaboration led by ASUR Airports and HMSHost to introduce the renowned Italian marketplace and retail concept to the North American airport environment . The new 5,526-square-foot full-service restaurant, 1,353-square-foot wine bar, and retail shop is the first Eataly in an airport in North America and will soon be followed by locations in terminals 4 and 5 at JFK.
With more than 60 locations worldwide, including 20 across North America, Eataly brings a taste of the Italian lifestyle to JFK. The new Terminal 8 experience offers travellers a wide range of iconic Italian dishes — from traditional pizza and artisanal pasta to regional specialties. The restaurant seats over 130 guests and includes a dedicated wine bar with seating 45 guests, serving a variety of Italian wines from the north to south of Italy and a café offering grab & go options, coffee, soft drinks, and curated retail items.
“Beloved by New Yorkers and world-renowned, the opening of Eataly at Terminal 8 advances the Port Authority’s goal of creating a world class passenger experience and a unique sense of place at a new JFK International Airport,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton.“We are thrilled that Eataly has chosen JFK for its North American airport debut as we work with our private partners, including American Airlines, HMS Host and ASUR Airports, at Terminal 8 to make our terminals an enjoyable part of the passenger journey.”
“The addition of a new Eataly at JFK’s Terminal 8 is exactly what passengers have come to expect when they arrive in a region that is known around the world for extraordinarily diverse and outstanding dining,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “Iconic global brands like Eataly, operating alongside locally inspired concessions, will create a unique sense of place at JFK that will be nothing short of world class.”
“The opening of Eataly marks several significant milestones and the beginning of an exciting partnership between HMSHost and Eataly,” said Steve Johnson, president and CEO of Avolta, North America. “Eataly is a globally recognized and beloved brand with deep roots in New York, and we’re proud to bring its world-class Italian cuisine to travellers looking for a superior dining experience. This collaboration underscores our commitment to reimagining the airport journey — making it as memorable and rewarding as the destination itself.”
“Eataly’s mission is to champion Italian food and wine culture across the globe, transporting our guests to Italy through each of our touchpoints, whether they dine in one of our flagship stores or in new outlets such as the airports,” said Andrea Cipolloni, group CEO of Eataly. “Our partnership with HMSHost marks a monumental step for our brand in North America as we expand into major transportation hubs, allowing us to connect with our audience during their travel journey.”
“From the outset, our goal was to fundamentally elevate what airport dining could be,” said Ian Carter, vice president, JFK at ASUR Airports. “We were intentional about bringing a brand like Eataly into the airport conversation — one that resonates deeply with New Yorkers while carrying global recognition. Working closely with our partners, we helped shape an airport-ready expression of Eataly that delivers authenticity, quality, and a true sense of place. Opening the first Eataly in a North American airport is a milestone, and it reflects the broader vision we have for transforming the passenger experience at JFK.”
At the Terminal 8’s Eataly, HMSHost partnered with four small and local businesses as joint venture equity partners, including Queens-based Neir’s Tavern, Ranchito Salvadoreno, both graduates of the Port Authority’s Institute of Concessions, and The Nourish Spot, as well as Charlotte, NC-based FDY Inc. Together, they designed and will operate a seamless dining experience through in-store technology, including state-of-the-art self-order kiosks, an intuitive QR code order-and-pay system, and streamlined self-checkout solutions that work together to deliver a fully digital, frictionless guest experience, enhancing convenience, speed, and satisfaction at every touchpoint. Travelers are also able to enjoy all the benefits of the Club Avolta loyalty program, gaining access to exclusive offers, rewards, and cross-promotions.
Senior leadership and team members from HMSHost, Eataly, joint-venture equity partners, ASUR Airports, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and American Airlines celebrated Eataly’s opening with a ribbon cutting and special reception. The event also featured Eataly’s best-selling menu items, live music, and the ceremonial cracking of a Parmigiano Reggiano DOP cheese wheel.
Eataly at Terminal 8 is part of a $125 million commercial redevelopment of the terminal in partnership with terminal commercial operator ASUR Airports and American Airlines. More than 60 new concessions will be featured at Terminal 8 when the commercial program is completed in 2026. The commercial redevelopment follows a $400 million expansion and modernization of the terminal, completed in 2022 and led by American Airlines, as part of the Port Authority’s $19 billion transformation of JFK.
Transforming JFK Into a World-Class Global Gateway
In January 2017, the JFK Vision Plan was announced to transform JFK into the world-class airport that New Yorkers deserve. The vision plan provides a strategic framework for the Port Authority and its partners to completely redevelop, modify and expand existing facilities and infrastructure. The $400 million expansion of Terminal 8, led by American Airlines, which operates the terminal, was completed in November 2022. An additional $125 million investment in the redevelopment of Terminal 8’s commercial program is currently underway. The $9.5 billion New Terminal One broke ground in September 2022. A new $4.2 billion Terminal 6, which will connect seamlessly with Terminal 5 to create an anchor terminal on the airport’s north side, broke ground in February 2023. The $1.5 billion expansion of Terminal 4, led by Delta Air Lines and JFK International Air Terminal (JFKIAT), was completed in 2024.
The transformation of JFK involves four new public private partnerships entered into by the Port Authority. The Port Authority’s $3.9 billion public investment in JFK Infrastructure, including a new and simplified roadway network, a new ground transportation center, utility upgrades and airside improvements has leveraged $15 billion in private investment by the private partners for new and modernized terminals.
