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

Key Takeaways

• John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City has 5 terminals, serving numerous domestic and international flights. Its amenities include dining, shopping, and lounges.
• The airport has 23 lounges, many of which are only open to premium-cabin passengers or frequent flyers. Eight offer day passes, and 11 accept Priority Pass.
• Ground transportation includes the AirTrain, subways, buses, and taxis, ensuring convenient access to Manhattan and other areas.

John F. Kennedy International Airport is the sixth-busiest airport in the U.S., serving nearly 63 million passengers in 2025. Construction of the airport’s new Terminal 1 is nearly complete, with a phased opening scheduled for 2026 to 2030. This state-of-the-art terminal is expected to have 23 gates, indoor green spaces, public art, and many retail concessions.

Quick Info

Airport: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Terminals: 5 terminals 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8
Airport Address: Queens, NY 11430
Distance from Manhattan: Approximately 15 miles (24 kilometers)
Website: jfkairport.com
Phone Number: 718-244-4444
Passengers Served: Over 63 million annually
Flight Information: Departure and arrival information can be viewed online

JFK Terminal Map

Airlines Operating From JFK

Terminal 1

Air China, Air France, Air New Zealand, Air Serbia, Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Azores Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Cayman Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Eastern Airlines, Egyptair, EVA Air, Gulf Air, ITA Airways, Korean Air, LOT Polish, Lufthansa, Neos, Philippine Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, Saudia Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, SWISS, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Viva Aerobus

Terminal 4

Aeromexico, Air Europa, Air India, Arkia Israeli Airlines, Avianca, Caribbean Airlines, China Airlines, Copa Airlines, Delta Air Lines, EL AL, Emirates, Etihad Airways, JetBlue, Kenya Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, LATAM, Singapore Airlines, Uzbekistan Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, WestJet, XiamenAir

Terminal 5

Cape Air, JetBlue, Sun Country Airlines

Terminal 7

Aer Lingus, Air Canada, ANA (All Nippon Airways), Condor, Ethiopian Airlines, Frontier Airlines, HiSky Europe, Icelandair, Kuwait Airways, Norse Atlantic Airways

Terminal 8

Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Southern, Finnair, Hawaiian Airlines, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Level, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian

JFK Airport Terminals

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

Terminals 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8 are situated on the outside of the roadways. None of the terminals are connected by pedestrian walkways, but they are connected by the AirTrain, which operates outside the secure area. After looping around all the terminals, the AirTrain continues onward to the long-term parking lots and train stations for connections to public transportation.

Terminal 1

Terminal 1 has 14 gates, numbered 1 to 4, 5A, 5B, 6, 7A, 7B, and 8 to 12. The terminal has 4 levels: Level 4 has a food court; level 3 has check-in desks, the security checkpoint, and departure gates; level 2 has walkways for international arrivals; and level 1 has baggage claim, immigration, access to ground transportation, and other services.

Terminal 1 was recently redeveloped and is planned to be the largest terminal at JFK once all construction phases are complete.

Terminal 4

Terminal 4 is at the airport’s south side and has 43 gates split across Concourse A and Concourse B. The terminal consists of 4 levels: Level 1 has baggage claim and immigration, level 2 has arrival walkways from the gates, level 3 has the retail hall and departure gates, and level 4 has the check-in desks and security checkpoint.

The terminal has a dedicated Delta One check-in area that leads to a Delta One Lounge, and there’s also a Capital One Lounge in the retail hall on level 3. The central area of Terminal 4 (level 4) is home to the Capital One Lounge JFK, Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club with Etihad Airways, an American Express Centurion Lounge JFK, and a HelloSky lounge.

Terminal 4, Concourse A

Concourse A is on the east side of Terminal 4 and has 16 gates, numbered A2 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 between concourses A and B. On the upper level of Concourse A, there’s the Delta Sky Club, 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 B18, B20, B22 to B39, B41 to B49, and B51. Gates B42 to B51 are 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 on the upper level.

Terminal 5

Terminal 5 has 29 gates and 3 areas. Level 1 has baggage claim, passport control, and a walkway to the TWA Hotel; level 2 has the arrival gates; level 3 has check-in, security checkpoint, and departure gates; and level 4 has the Skywalk connecting the AirTrain to the terminal with moving walkways.

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 6 gates on the west side of the building, numbered 1 to 6. Level 1 has baggage claim, a couple of shops, kiosks, and access to ground transportation; level 2 has check-in desks and the security checkpoint; level 3 has the departure gates, a food court, shops, and the Aer Lingus Lounge; and level 4 has the Horizons T7 Lounge.

Terminal 8

Terminal 8 has 31 gates numbered 1 to 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 31 to 47. Level 1 has immigration, baggage claim, and access to ground transportation outside; level 2 has a walkway to the AirTrain station; level 3 has check-in desks and the security checkpoint leading into Concourse B. Once you’ve cleared security, you’ll arrive in the area for gates 1 to 20, and the British Airways and American Airlines joint lounges are on level 4, named Chelsea, Soho, and Greenwich.

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

Interterminal Transportation

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

AirTrain (Outside the Secure Area)

JFK’s AirTrain has 3 lines: gold, red, and green. The red line starts and finishes at Jamaica Station, stopping at terminals 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8. The green line starts and finishes at Howard Beach Station, stopping at a couple of other stations before stopping at terminals 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8. The gold line runs only between the terminals at JFK, in reverse order: 8, 7, 5, 4, and 1.

The AirTrain is free to ride for all passengers connecting between airport terminals, Federal Circle, and Lefferts Boulevard stations (fees for travel outside 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 should check in at least 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight to allow sufficient time to check in and clear security.

Security wait times are displayed on the airport website’s home page.

Hot Tip:

Travelers flying through JFK Terminal 4 can streamline their airport experience by booking a security checkpoint slot with T4 Reserve. This free service allows passengers to choose a time window in advance, reducing wait times. Passengers can reserve their slot online up to 7 days before their flight.

TSA PreCheck

JFK has dedicated TSA PreCheck lines within each terminal. Eligible passengers must apply online, pay the fee, and complete their application at an enrollment kiosk.

PreCheck enrollment is available through CLEAR+, with kiosks available in Terminal 4 to the right of the security checkpoint. Enrollment is available daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Global Entry Program

For expedited passenger clearance, Global Entry kiosks are available at JFK for approved passengers. 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, next to baggage claim, available Monday to Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday to Sunday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The airport offers 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 Protection clearance.

Eligible participants must submit their details upon arrival at JFK, obtain an instant receipt, and present their passport to a CBP agent.

CLEAR+ lanes are available at:

• Terminal 4 arrivals:
  • Sunday to Friday from 4:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Saturday from 4:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Terminal 4 departures:
  • Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 4:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday from 4:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Enrollment is available at Terminal 4 departures daily from 4:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

CLEAR+

There are CLEAR+ lanes and enrollment kiosks at JFK in Terminal 4. To be eligible for this expedited security clearance, a passenger must enroll and attend an interview for eye and fingerprint scanning, which can be done in just a few minutes before going through security.

JFK Airport Lounges

There are over 25 lounges at JFK, some of which offer 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.

_{Note that hours are subject to change without notice. Lounge access may be restricted at times if they’re over capacity. Lounges with no listed day-pass rate only allow entry for eligible passengers in the airline’s premium cabins, frequent flyer programs, or participating credit card programs.}

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
• Chase Sapphire Lounge by the Club with Etihad Airways (Unlimited visits with a Priority Pass that comes with the Chase Sapphire Reserve^®, J.P. Morgan Reserve Card, or The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card; Priority Pass members without one of those cards get 1 entry per year)
• HelloSky
• KAL Business Class Lounge
• Lufthansa Business Class Lounge
• Minute Suites (terminals 4 and 8)
• Primeclass Lounge (Terminal 1)
• Turkish Airlines Lounge
• VIPOne Lounge
• Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse

Priority Pass members can get complimentary spa services at Be Relax Spa (Terminal 1) and both Xwell locations in Terminal 4. Gameway and Jabrrbox also accept Priority Pass at their locations in terminals 5 and 8.

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

Hot Tip:

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

Dining at JFK Airport

JFK has over 130 restaurants, bars, and cafes, with the number of eateries varying considerably between the terminals and before and after security. All terminals have at least a couple of options presecurity, so if you arrive early and can’t check in, you can grab a snack.

If you want to plan ahead, the airport map shows what restaurants are available in each terminal.

JFK Wi-Fi and Internet

Free Wi-Fi access is available in all public areas at JFK. To connect, select the network “_Free JFK WiFi” and then “Free unlimited Wi-Fi.” Round-the-clock 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 with an airline tag was left in the terminal, at the curbside, or on an airplane, contact the relevant airline’s baggage service.

If you left your property at a security checkpoint, contact TSA lost and found by completing the claim form. For any other items or circumstances within the airport, submit a claim online to the airport’s lost and found department.

For any lost passports, visas, or other government-issued travel documents, contact U.S Customs and Border Protection at 718-487-5164.

Additional Airport Information

Information services: There’s an information desk in Terminal 4’s retail hall and welcome centers in the arrivals halls of all terminals, with information on onward travel, accommodation, and more. Customer care agents, identifiable by their red jackets, are in each terminal.

Travelers aid: A Travelers Aid counter is available in the arrivals hall of Terminal 4.

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 2 to 12 and another in Terminal 8 near the American Airlines Admirals Club.

Check out our study on the most kid-friendly airports in the U.S.

Baby facilities: JFK has 13 nursing suites at:

• Terminal 1 near the Air France-KLM Lounge
• Terminal 4:
  • On level 1, near domestic baggage claim
  • On level 3, near the retail hall
  • Near gate A8
  • Near gate B48
• Terminal 5:
  • Near gate 505
  • Near gate 512
  • Near gate 528
• Terminal 7, at the east and west ends of the departure area
• Terminal 8: Near gate 42

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

• Terminal 1, on the north end of arrivals, outside the terminal
• Terminal 4:
  • Near gate B49
  • Near gate 31
  • East end of the arrivals area
• Terminal 5:
  • At the north end of the arrivals area
  • Near gate 528 (T5 Rooftop and Wooftop Lounge)
• Terminal 7
  • West end of the arrivals area
  • At the east side of departures
• Terminal 8
  • Near gate 38
  • In the middle island of the departures area

Duty-free: Duty-free is available in all terminals.

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 in the departure area of Terminal 4 and near the check-in area of Terminal 1.

Money: Standalone ATMs are available in all terminals, as are currency exchange services.

Luggage: Bags can be stored with Smarte Carte in terminals 1 and 4. Luggage can be dropped off in the arrivals areas of the terminals, or a meet-and-greet service is also available.

JFK Important Phone Numbers

General inquiries: 718-244-4444

Car parking: 347-238-3231

Travel to and From JFK Airport

Transportation

Passengers traveling to and from JFK have access to a wide range of transportation options, most of which are conveniently located outside each terminal.

• Train:
  • AirTrain: In addition to stopping at all terminals, the AirTrain also serves Howard Beach (green line) and Jamaica Station (red line) for onward connections throughout New York City. If you start or finish your AirTrain journey at either of these stations, there’s an $8.75 fee payable by MetroCard at the Jamaica and Howard Beach stations. Travel between all airport stops is free.
  • Subway: You can enter the New York City subway system from the start or end of the AirTrain lines. You can take the A line from Howard Beach, and from Jamaica, the E, J, or Z lines connect to Manhattan. From Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan, the journey to JFK takes around 50 minutes. The fare is $11.75 (a subway fare of $3 plus an AirTrain fare of $8.75).
  • Long Island Rail Road: Pick up the Long Island Rail Road from Jamaica Station to Manhattan, Brooklyn, or various Long Island stations.
• MTA bus:
  • Public buses are among the cheapest ways to get to and from the airport and are available from Lefferts Boulevard (accessible via the free AirTrain). The B15, Q3, and Q10 buses serve the airport from various destinations, such as Brooklyn and Long Island. Buses accept OMNY cards or contactless payments, with a single route costing $3.
• Shuttle
  • Private and shared-ride shuttles are available to and from JFK and various areas of New York, as well as other airports. If you’re arriving at the airport, 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 check before booking alternative transportation. These usually depart from Federal Circle Station on the AirTrain.
• Taxi
  • Taxis are available from the arrivals level outside terminals 1, 4, and 8, and the departures level outside Terminal 7. At Terminal 5, taxis are on the ground level of the yellow parking garage. A flat rate of $70 is charged from the airport to Manhattan. An additional fee of $2.75 to $8.50 may apply depending on the time of day and destination.
• Ride-hailing services
  • Ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft allow you to order a car between JFK and the surrounding areas, including Manhattan. Uber and Lyft pickups are outside the terminal for terminals 1, 4, and 8. For terminals 5 and 7, pickups are from Howard Beach (on the AirTrain line). 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 and use the left 2 lanes to take the Belt Parkway exit towards Brooklyn. Continue on the Belt Parkway until junction 20 to connect with the JFK Expressway, which 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 to the airport.

JFK Car Parking Information

Official Airport Parking

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

Short-Term Terminal Parking

Short-term parking is available in the blue, red, and yellow parking lots, as the green and orange parking lots are currently closed for renovations. Blue parking is adjacent to Terminal 4, Yellow parking to Terminal 5, and red parking to Terminal 8, although passengers can use any parking lot regardless of which terminal they’re flying from.

The red parking lot costs $4 for the first half hour and $8 for each additional 30 minutes or part thereof, up to a maximum of $70 for every 24 hours. Prebooked daily rates are available for $56.

Blue and yellow parking costs $6 for the first half hour, with each additional 30 minutes, or part thereof, costing $12. Blue parking charges a maximum of $80 per 24 hours, with prebooked daily rates available for $64. Yellow parking charges a maximum of $75 per 24 hours, with prebooked daily rates available for $59.

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 $49 per 24 hours without prebooking, and $39 per day when prebooked.

A separate parking lot at Federal Circle on the AirTrain line is available by advance reservation only, with bookings required at least 3 hours in advance. Daily parking is priced at $49.

Pickup and Drop-Off Parking

There’s no parking or waiting permitted outside of the airport terminals, so drivers must use one of the parking lots to wait. To avoid parking costs, you can use one of 2 free cell phone parking lots until you receive a call from a passenger.

One is at Lefferts Boulevard Station, and the other is off the JFK Expressway. Drivers must stay with their vehicles at all times.

Parking for Passengers With Disabilities

All short-term and long-term airport parking lots have several spaces reserved for passengers with restricted mobility. The standard rates apply for the first 4 1/2 hours. After that, rates are $4 per half hour, up to a maximum of $35 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

If you’re willing to travel farther from the airport, off-site parking lots and hotel parking can typically offer the best rates.

Daily parking for JFK starts at $8.50 and includes free shuttle services to and from the airport. Airportparkingreservations.com is a handy website for comparing prices, checking parking locations, and reading customer reviews.

Car Rentals at JFK

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

• Alamo: 888-233-8749
• Avis: 800-230-4898
• Budget: 800-527-0700
• Dollar: 800-800-4000
• Enterprise: 800-736-8222
• Hertz: 800-654-3131
• National: 888-826-6890
• Payless: 800-729-5377
• SIXT: 888-749-8227
• Thrifty: 800-331-3550

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

The area around JFK has a range of 2- to 4-star hotels that suit most budgets, with 1 on-site property and additional hotels 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 save you serious cash!

Here are our top 3 award bookings near John F. Kennedy International Airport:

The Holiday Inn Express Jamaica – JFK AirTrain offers travelers a convenient location with access to the AirTrain at Jamaica Station and a hot breakfast for all guests, a winning 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 either your IHG One Rewards points or an IHG card anniversary night certificate.

The Courtyard by Marriott New York JFK Airport is your best bet if you’re looking for a quality Marriott hotel close to the airport. The hotel is a 5- to 10-minute drive from JFK and offers a complimentary airport shuttle, restaurant, fitness center, Starbucks coffee, and evening cocktails. Redemptions start at 39,000 points per night.

The Hilton Garden Inn Queens/JFK Airport offers convenient access to JFK with a complimentary airport shuttle, comfortable rooms, and on-site dining. Ideal for short stays or layovers, it provides modern amenities, a fitness center, and reliable service for travelers passing through New York. Hilton Honors members can redeem a free night’s stay for 62,000 points.

Final Thoughts

JFK is a large international airport with 5 terminals that are connected by the AirTrain. You can get to and from JFK and the rest of New York City by utilizing the AirTrain connection to the subway or Long Island Rail Road.

The airport is in the midst of a major transformation, with a multibillion-dollar redevelopment program bringing new terminals, upgraded infrastructure, and enhanced passenger facilities. Ongoing construction may cause temporary inconvenience, including detours and limited access in some areas, but these changes are part of a long-term vision to modernize the airport.