John F. Kennedy International Airport [JFK] – Ultimate Terminal Guide

John F. Kennedy International Airport is the fifth-busiest airport in the U.S., serving 61 million passengers annually pre-pandemic.

Although it recently dropped off the world’s 20 busiest airports list, recent developments to Terminal 4’s Concourse A are expected to increase capacity, especially for Delta Air Lines.

Construction of the airport’s new international terminal is now underway and is being built on the site that currently accommodates Terminals 1 and 2. With a phased opening between 2026 and 2030, this state-of-the-art terminal will have a total of 23 gates, indoor green spaces, public art, and lots of retail concessions.

Quick Info

Airport: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Terminals: 6 — Terminals 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8
Airport Address: Queens, NY 11430
Distance from Manhattan: Approximately 15 miles (24 km)
Website: jfkairport.com
Phone Number: 718-244-4444
Passengers Served: Over 61 million annually
Flight Information: Departures and arrival information can be viewed online

JFK Terminal Map

Airlines Operating From JFK

Terminal 1
Aeroflot, Air China, Air France, Air New Zealand, Air Serbia, Air Senegal, Asiana, Austrian Airlines, Azerbaijan Airlines, Azores Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Cayman Airlines, China Eastern, Condor, Eastern Airlines, Egypt Air, Eva Air, Flair Airlines, Interjet, ITA Airways, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Neos, Norse Atlantic Airways, Philippine Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Swiss Airlines, Swoop, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Viva Aerobus, Volaris

Terminal 4
Aeromexico, Air Europa, Air India, Avianca Brasil, Caribbean Airlines, China Airlines, China Southern, Copa Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Egypt Air, EL AL, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Kuwait Airways, LATAM, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, Uzbekistan Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, WestJet, XiamenAir

Terminal 5
Air Lingus, Cape Air, JetBlue

Terminal 7
Aerolineas Argentinas, Alaska Airlines, ANA (All Nippon,) Eurowings, Icelandair, LOT, Qatar Airways (AM flights), Ukraine International Airlines

Terminal 8
American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Ethiopian Airlines, Finnair, Iberia, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian

Hot Tip: JFK is one of only 5 airports in the U.S. that offers direct routes on China Airlines. 

JFK Airport Terminals

JFK is a rectangular shape with a spaghetti junction of roads on the inside of the airport, connecting I-678 and JFK Expressway to the 5 terminals.

Terminals 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8 are still active, with Terminals 3 and 6 having been demolished years ago to make way for expansion projects. The upcoming JFK renovation project will create a new Terminal 1, which will combine the current and former sites of Terminal 1, 2, and 3.

Terminal 1

Terminal 1 has 14 gates numbered 1 to 4, 5A, 5B, 6, 7A, 7B, 8, 9, and 8 to 12. The terminal has 4 areas: the departure level has check-in desks; the mezzanine level has a food court; the concourse level has the security checkpoint, airline lounges, shops, restaurants, and departure gates; the arrivals level has baggage claim, immigration, access to ground transportation, and an array of other services.

Terminal 4

Level 4 – Check-in

Terminal 4 is located at the south side of the airport and has 43 gates split across 2 concourses — Concourse A and Concourse B. The terminal consists of 4 areas: the departure level has check-in desks and airline lounges; the concourse level has a security checkpoint, a pet relief area, shops, bars, restaurants, and most departure gates; the arrivals level has baggage claim, a restaurant, and a takeaway food stall. A temporary Delta Sky Club Express is located to the right of the TSA security checkpoint.

Terminal 4 – Concourse A

Concourse A is located on the east side of Terminal 4 and has 16 gates numbered A2 to A7, A9 to A12, A14 to A17, A19, and A21. Gates A9 to A21 are at the end of the concourse on the lower level. There’s a small selection of shops and restaurants with many more located in between Concourses A and B. On the upper level of Concourse A, there’s the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, Air India Maharaja Lounge, and Emirates Lounge.

Terminal 4 – Concourse B

Concourse B is on the west side of Terminal 4 and has 27 gates numbered B20, B22 to B39, B41 to B49, and B51. Gates B42 to B51 are located at the end of the concourse on the lower level. Moving walkways run most of the way down Concourse B and a Delta Sky Club is located on the upper level.

Terminal 5

Terminal 5 has 28 gates and 3 areas. The Skywalk connects the AirTrain to the terminal and has moving walkways. The departure level has the security checkpoint, shops, a food court, an outdoor garden, and departure gates. The arrivals level has baggage claim, a couple of takeaway food stalls, access to ground transportation, and a walkway to the Saarinen Terminal — home to the TWA Hotel.

Hot Tip: The new 10-gate, 1.2 million square foot Terminal 6 is scheduled to partially open in 2026, with full completion scheduled for 2028.

Terminal 7

Terminal 7 has 10 gates and 3 areas. The departure level has check-in desks and the security checkpoint; the concourse level has a food court, shops, the Alaska Lounge, pet relief areas, and departure gates; the arrivals level has baggage claim, a couple of shops and kiosks, and access to ground transportation.

Terminal 8

Terminal 8 has 31 gates numbered 1 to 10, 12, 14, 16, 31A, 31B, 31C, 31D, and 35 to 37. The departure level has check-in desks and the security checkpoint that leads into Concourse B. Once you’ve cleared security, you’ll find the British Airways and American Airlines joint lounges on the upper level, named Chelsea, Soho, and Greenwich.

Concourse C is accessible via an underground tunnel with moving walkways. An Admirals Club lounge is located on the upper level and both concourses have shops, bars, and restaurants.

Inter-terminal Transport

Traveling between terminals at JFK is quick and easy by riding the AirTrain.

AirTrain (Outside the Secure Area)

Previously, JFK’s AirTrain had 3 different lines, but due to the construction work taking place at Terminal 1, this station is currently shut. In place, a shuttle bus is running between Terminals 1 and 8 and Terminals 1 and 4 for passenger connections.

During the closures, only the Red and Green lines are operational. The Red line starts and finishes at Jamaica Station, stopping at Terminals 4, 5, 7, and 8. The Green line starts and finishes at Howard Beach Station, stopping at a couple of other stations before Terminals 4, 5, 7, and 8.

The AirTrain is free to ride for all passengers connecting between airport terminals, Federal Circle, or Lefferts Boulevard stations (fees for travel outside of this area are detailed in the transport section below).

Security and Customs at JFK

JFK has separate security checkpoints for all 5 terminals, and passengers are recommended to check in 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight to allow suitable time to check in and clear security.

Security wait times are shown on the home page of the airport website.

TSA PreCheck

JFK has dedicated TSA PreCheck lines within each terminal. Eligible passengers are those who have applied online, paid the fee, and have attended an appointment at an enrollment center.

JFK has a TSA PreCheck Enrollment Center in Terminal 4 on level 4, so if you’re traveling through the airport, you can arrange your enrollment meeting.

Global Entry Program

For expedited clearance of passengers, there are Global Entry kiosks at JFK for passengers who have been approved. Applicants must apply online and arrange an interview at an enrollment center or participating airports with Enrollment on Arrival.

JFK has a Global Entry enrollment center in Terminal 4 arrivals next to baggage claim and participates in Enrollment on Arrival at Terminals 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8.

Mobile Passport

JFK has dedicated Mobile Passport Control lines for speedier U.S. Customs and Border clearance.

Eligible participants must submit their details on arrival at JFK and obtain an instant receipt that can be presented to a CBP agent, along with a passport.

CLEAR

There are CLEAR lanes and enrollment centers at JFK in Terminals 4 and 7 (although 7 is temporarily closed). To be eligible for this expedited security clearance, a passenger must enroll and attend an interview for eye and fingertip scanning, which can be done in just a few minutes before you go through security.

JFK Airport Lounges

There are 18+ lounges at JFK, with some offering day passes (for a fee) to all passengers, regardless of travel class.

Most airline lounges are open exclusively to their premium cabin passengers or frequent flyers, although some are also part of the Priority Pass lounge network.

* Hours are subject to change without notice. Lounge access may be restricted at times due to capacity.
** Day Pass for any passenger. Lounges marked as n/a only allow entry for eligible passengers in their premium cabins, frequent flyer programs, or participating credit card programs.

Hot Tip: Find out how to avoid lounge entry fees by reading our article on the best credit cards for lounge access.

Priority Pass Access

You can gain entry into the following lounges with Priority Pass, subject to capacity allowances:

• Air France-KLM Lounge
• Air India Maharaja Lounge
• Alaska Lounge
• KAL Business Class Lounge
• Lufthansa Business Class Lounge
• Minute Suites (Terminal 4)
• Primeclass Lounge

Priority Pass members can also receive money off their restaurant bill using their membership at Bobby Van’s Steakhouse (in Terminal 8) and get complimentary spa services at Be Relax Spa (in Terminals 1 and 5).

Find out more information on becoming a Priority Pass member by reading our dedicated Priority Pass article, as well as a guide to credit cards with Priority Pass.

Dining and Drinks at JFK Airport

JFK has over 135 restaurants, bars, and cafes with the number of eateries varying considerably between the terminals, as well as pre- or post-security. Terminal 7 has very few options pre-security, so if you arrive early and can’t check in, you’ll need to head to another terminal.

If you want to plan ahead, you can see what restaurants are available in each terminal on the airport website.

JFK Wi-Fi and Internet

There’s free Wi-Fi access in all public areas at JFK. To connect, select the network “_Free JFK WiFi,” and then “Free unlimited wifi.” 24/7 customer support is available by calling 800-880-4117.

JFK Airport Lost and Found

JFK’s lost and found process depends on where you lost your property. If a luggage item had an airline tag and was left in the terminal, at curbside, or on an airplane, then you need to contact the relevant airline’s baggage service.

If you left your property at a security checkpoint, you can contact TSA lost and found at 718-917-3999. For any other items or circumstances within the airport, you’ll need to submit a report on the lost and found custodian website.

For any lost items outside of the terminal areas, these are handled by the Port Authority Police, contactable at the JFK Police Desk located in Building 269 or at 718-244-4225. Terminal 4 is the only terminal that has a dedicated lost and found service — you can reach them at 561-408-0101.

Additional Airport Information

Information Services: There’s an information desk in the retail hall of Terminal 4 and a welcome center in the arrivals hall of all terminals, with information for onward travel, accommodation, and more. There are also customer care agents located in each terminal identifiable by their red jackets.

Travelers Aid: Travelers aid desks can be found in all terminals of JFK. These are located in the welcome center on the arrivals level. There’s also a desk in the retail hall of Terminal 4 and on the departures level of Terminal 8.

Children’s Play Areas: There’s a designated children’s play area in Terminal 5 with a pirate-themed playground near gate 12. There’s also a JetBlue aviation-themed play area near gate 26 for children ages 2 to 12 and another play area in Terminal 8, near the American Airlines Admirals Club.

JFK ranks one of the top on our list of the most kid-friendly airports in the U.S.

Baby Facilities: JFK has 13 nursing suites that are located at:

• Terminal 1 near the Air France-KLM Lounge
• Terminal 4:
  • On level 3 near the retail hall
  • Near gate A3
  • Near gate B31
• Terminal 5:
  • Near gate 1
  • Near gate 12
  • Near gate 27
• Terminal 7 adjacent to gate 10
• Terminal 8:
  • Near gate 14
  • Near gate 42
  • Third-floor interior hallway

Pet Relief Areas: There are many pet relief areas inside JFK airport. You can find these at:

• Terminal 1 on the east side of the arrivals area
• Terminal 4:
  • Near gate 31
  • East end of the arrivals area
• Terminal 5:
  • At the north end of the arrivals area
  • Near gate 28 (T5 Rooftop and Wooftop Lounge)
• Terminal 7
  • West end of the arrivals area
  • Near gates 9 and 10
• Terminal 8
  • Near gate 38
  • At the middle island of the departures area

Duty-Free: Duty-free shops can be found in Terminals 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8.

Smoking Areas: There are no indoor smoking areas at JFK (this includes electronic cigarettes). There are designated smoking areas outside of the terminals.

Prayer: An interfaith chapel is located in the departure area of Terminal 4 and near the check-in area of Terminal 1.

Money: Standalone ATMs are located in Terminals 1, 4, 5, and 7. Other terminals have Travelex foreign currency ATMs. All terminals offer currency exchange services.

Luggage: Bags can be stored with Accommodations Plus International in the arrivals hall of Terminals 1 and 4. Terminal 5 offers luggage wrapping services on the departure level, and Terminal 8 offers bag storage with Meegan Services in the arrivals area.

JFK Important Phone Numbers

General Inquiries: 718-244-4444

Car Parking: 347-238-3231

Travel to and From JFK Airport

Transport Options

There is a wide range of transportation options available for passengers traveling to and from JFK airport, with most transportation available outside of each terminal.

• Train:
  • AirTrain: As well as stopping at all terminals, the AirTrain also serves Howard Beach (Green line) and Jamaica Station (Red line) for onward connections to New York and beyond. If starting or finishing your AirTrain journey at either of these stations, there’s an $8 fee payable by MetroCard. Travel between all stops is free of charge.
  • Subway (MTA): From the start/end of the AirTrain lines you can pick up the NYC subway system. From Howard Beach you can take the A line and from Jamaica the E, J, or Z lines, all connecting to Manhattan. From Penn Station (Midtown Manhattan) the journey to JFK takes around 50 minutes. The fare is $10.75 (subway fee of $2.75 plus the AirTrain fee of $8).
  • Long Island Rail Road (LIRR): Pick up the Long Island Rail Road from Jamaica station to Manhattan, Brooklyn, or various Long Island stations.
• MTA Bus:
  • Public buses are one of the cheapest ways of getting to and from the airport and are available from outside Terminal 5. The B15, Q3, and Q10 buses serve the airport from various destinations such as Brooklyn and Long Island. Buses accept MetroCard payment or cash, with a single route costing $2.75.
• Shuttle
  • Private ride and shared-ride shuttles are available to and from JFK to various areas of New York and other airports. If arriving at the airport, then reservations can be made at the Welcome Center of each terminal. Shuttles may also be available from your airport hotel or car parking lot, so be sure to check before booking alternative transportation. These usually depart from the Federal Circle Station on the AirTrain.
• Taxi
  • Taxis are available outside of each terminal and charge a flat rate of $52 from the airport to Manhattan. There is also a surcharge of $4.50 for journeys between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on weekdays
• Rideshare apps
  • Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft allow you to order a car between JFK and surrounding areas, including Manhattan. Uber and Lyft pickups are located outside of each terminal. Rates vary depending on destination and demand.

Directions by Car

Arriving From Manhattan

From Manhattan, take the Queens Midtown Tunnel to I-495 and exit at junction 22A-E onto the Grand Central Parkway. Continue onto I-678/Van Wyck Expressway until you reach the ring roads for airport access.

Arriving From Long Island

Take the Southern State Parkway west until Junction 20 to connect with the JFK Expressway that takes you to the airport ring roads.

Arriving From Upstate New York

Take the I-95 and exit at Junction 14 onto the Hutchinson River Parkway. Continue onto I-678 and cross the Bronx Whitestone Bridge, continuing straight onto the Van Wyck Expressway all the way to the airport.

JFK Car Parking Information

Official Airport Parking

JFK currently has 5 open parking lots with 4 located outside of the terminals which are best suited for short-term trips or those passengers with a bigger budget. The Long Term Parking Lot is located 4 miles away from the terminals, connected via the AirTrain. Passengers can view parking lot capacities on the airport website.

Short-term Terminal Parking

Short-term parking is in the Blue, Red, Orange, and Yellow parking lots as the Green parking lot is currently closed due to the Terminal 1 renovations. Blue parking is adjacent to Terminal 4, Yellow parking to Terminal 5, Orange parking to Terminal 7, and Red parking to Terminal 8, although passengers can use any parking lot, regardless of which terminal they’re flying from.

Parking lots Orange and Red cost $4 for the first half hour, or $8 for the first hour, with each additional 30 minutes or part thereof costing $4 up to a maximum of $65 for every 24 hours. Pre-booked daily rates are available for $36.

Blue and Yellow parking costs $6 for the first half hour, or $12 for the first hour, with each additional 30 minutes or part thereof costing $6 up to a maximum of $70 for every 24 hours. Pre-booked daily rates are available for $42.

Long-term Parking Lot

Long-term parking is available at Lefferts Boulevard, around 4 miles from the airport, and has its own AirTrain station for easy transportation to and from the airport. Fees are $29 for the first 24 hours with each additional 8 hours or part thereof costing $14.50. Pre-booked daily rates are available for $20.

Pick-up or Drop-off Parking

There’s no parking or waiting permitted outside of the airport terminals, so drivers must use one of the short-term parking lots. To avoid parking costs, there are 2 free cell phone parking lots that drivers can use until they receive a call from the passenger.

One is located off the Van Wyck Expressway and the other from the JFK Expressway — drivers must stay with their vehicles at all times.

Kiss and Fly

Avoid getting stuck in airport traffic by dropping off or picking up at the Kiss & Fly area located at the Long Term Parking Lot 9. Passengers can then ride the AirTrain for free to their terminal from Lefferts Boulevard Station.

Parking for Passengers With Disabilities

All short-term and long-term airport parking lots have several spaces reserved for passengers with restricted mobility. Rates are $4 for the first half-hour, or $8 for the first hour, with each additional 30 minutes or part thereof costing $4, up to a maximum of $29 for every 24 hours.

The AirTrain is accessible for wheelchair users with elevators at each station and 2 designated wheelchair areas on each train.

Off-site and Hotel Parking

Off-site parking lots and hotel parking can typically offer the best rates if you’re happy to travel a little further out from the airport.

Daily parking for JFK starts from $10.99 with free shuttle services to and from the airport. Airportparkingreservations.com is a handy website to compare prices, check parking locations, and customer reviews.

Car Rentals at JFK

To rent a car at JFK you can visit one of the car rental desks in the arrivals level of each terminal or use one of the courtesy telephones available. The rental cars are situated at the Federal Circle Station on the free AirTrain.

Hot Tip: Check out our guide to finding cheap car rentals in New York City to save some money on your next trip!

JFK Airport Hotels

JFK has a range of 2- to 4-star hotels that suit most budgets, with 1 on-site property and additional hotels located starting from 1.4 miles away from the terminals. We’ve included contact details for each hotel, distance from the airport, and star rating to help you choose where to stay.

Airport Hotels

Top 3 Hotel Stays Using Points

Hotels in New York City can easily be some of the most expensive in the world, and travelers looking to stay close to the airport often pay a premium for doing so. Using your points for a free night can really save you some serious cash!

Here are our top 3 award booking options near the John F. Kennedy International Airport:

The Hilton New York JFK Airport hotel is easily one of the nicer airport hotel options in the area. Situated just a 5-minute drive from JFK, the hotel features a pool and a complimentary airport shuttle, with free breakfast for Hilton Honors Gold members and Executive Lounge access for Diamond members. 48,000 Hilton Honors points for a free night may seem steep, but we’ve got you covered on how to earn lots of Hilton Honors points.

The Holiday Inn Express New York JFK Airport offers travelers a convenient location, a hot breakfast for all guests, and a complimentary airport shuttle — the perfect combination for travelers with an early morning flight out of JFK. Starting at 35,000 IHG One Rewards points per night, the hotel is a solid value for both your IHG One Rewards points or an IHG card anniversary night certificate.

If you’re looking for a quality Marriott hotel close to the airport, the Courtyard New York JFK is your best option. The hotel offers a convenient location, coupled with a complimentary airport shuttle and an on-site restaurant offering fresh food, Starbucks coffee, and evening cocktails. Redemptions range from 30,000 to 40,000 points per night.

Final Thoughts

JFK is a large international airport with 6 terminals that are mostly connected by the AirTrain. You can get to and from JFK and the rest of New York City by utilizing the AirTrain’s connection to the subway or Long Island Rail Road.

The existing terminals are currently being renovated, but on different schedules, so passengers will experience different levels of modernization and facilities. And with the redevelopment of Terminal 1, services such as the AirTrain stations will be closed for some time.