JAX Soars to New Heights: Exciting News About Rankings, New Projects, Dining, and Art at Jacksonville International Airport

At Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), they’re flying high in 2026! Here’s a quick roundup of the latest news and new experiences, covering everything from recent accolades and exciting construction projects to local dining and art.

Photo credit: JAA

Rankings: JAX Takes Off in Customer Satisfaction

They’re thrilled to announce that Jacksonville International Airport ranked Fourth Best Medium Hub Airport for Customer Satisfaction in North America, according to the 2025 J.D. Power North America Airport Satisfaction Study! This recognition is a testament to the hard work and support of our incredible community and travelers who make JAX a top-notch airport.

New Construction Projects: Expanding for a Better Travel Experience

Jacksonville’s travel experience is taking off with transformative upgrades underway at Jacksonville International Airport. At the center of this evolution is the highly anticipated Concourse B expansion, a modern, three-level addition designed to elevate capacity, comfort, and convenience for travelers.

Slated to open in late 2026, the $340+ million project will introduce six new gates, expanded passenger areas, and more than 165,000 square feet of new space to support Jacksonville’s record-breaking growth. Guests can expect an upgraded travel experience with a dynamic mix of dining and retail, family-friendly amenities like a children’s play area, and enhanced services including pet relief spaces.

Beyond the concourse, the airport’s broader expansion includes a new multi-level parking garage with approximately 2,000 additional spaces, along with ongoing improvements to security checkpoints and terminal flow, ensuring a seamless journey from curb to gate.

Together, these enhancements position Jacksonville International Airport as a forward-looking gateway — built to accommodate future demand while delivering a more modern, efficient, and enjoyable passenger experience.

Dining: New Eats to Savor

A new wave of dining is arriving at Jacksonville International Airport, bringing more variety, local flavor, and elevated options for travelers on the go. As part of the highly anticipated Concourse B expansion, the airport is introducing a vibrant food hall concept designed to deliver a modern, curated culinary experience.

Travelers can look forward to a mix of nationally recognized favorites and beloved local brands, including Chick-fil-A, Panda Express, V Pizza, and Willie Jewell’s Old School Bar-B-Q, creating a balance of quick, familiar options and authentic Jacksonville taste. Alongside these additions, new concepts like Salt & Tide—a full-service seafood restaurant—and Pura Bean Coffee Co., a locally rooted café, will further enhance the lineup with fresh, coastal-inspired dining and craft coffee offerings.

Designed to complement the airport’s growth, the expanded dining program emphasizes convenience, quality, and sense of place, giving travelers more reasons to arrive early, relax, and enjoy the journey from the moment they step inside.
Photo credit: JAA

Art & Exhibits: A Visual Feast at JAX

Art and culture are woven throughout the passenger experience at Jacksonville International Airport, transforming everyday travel into an engaging, gallery-like journey. Through the Jacksonville Aviation Authority’s long-standing Arts & Culture Program, the airport showcases a dynamic mix of permanent installations and rotating exhibitions that reflect the spirit, history, and creativity of Northeast Florida.

Travelers can explore multiple gallery spaces throughout the terminal, including pre-security exhibits and post-security display cases featuring work from both emerging and established regional artists. These rotating exhibitions ensure there’s always something new to discover, while permanent pieces, such as large-scale sculptures and installations, add striking visual moments throughout the concourses and central courtyard.

Highlights include curated cultural exhibits in the Sky Gallery, fine art displays in the Haskell Gallery, and an in-terminal museum experience that celebrates Jacksonville’s aviation heritage. From contemporary artwork to historical storytelling, each installation is designed to inspire, educate, and create a meaningful sense of place for visitors arriving in the city.

Together, these thoughtfully curated art experiences position JAX as more than a gateway—it’s a reflection of Jacksonville’s vibrant creative community, offering travelers a unique cultural welcome from the moment they arrive.
Photo credit: JAA

Final Approach

From customer satisfaction awards to exciting new developments in dining, construction, and art, Jacksonville International Airport is constantly evolving to provide travelers with the best possible experience. Whether you’re flying out or picking someone up, there’s always something new to discover at JAX. We look forward to welcoming you on your next trip!

Author

Tess

Local Expert