5 Reasons To Avoid JFK Airport During the Winter if You Can — And How To Prepare if You Can’t

While I consider myself a seasoned traveler, I find it a considerable challenge to navigate a flight disruption at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) effectively.

The weather certainly hinders operations in this international travel hub. Moreover, the sheer volume of travelers and flights, combined with the demand for its limited resources to address the situation, and airport logistics, all contribute to the chaos.

If you’ve ever experienced a delayed or canceled flight at JFK, you may be more aware and prepared than most of us. If not, let this article serve as a warning to reroute during bad weather or to prepare in advance to mitigate disruption.

Here are some reasons to avoid traveling through JFK in winter (or bad weather in general), as well as some suggestions if travel there is unavoidable.

1. The Weather

Let’s first address the most obvious reason to avoid JFK during winter: the weather.

Ever heard of a nor’easter? This weather pattern sweeping across the Northeast brings heavy winds, rain, and snow, creating hazardous flying conditions. However, even a moderate localized storm can disrupt air traffic at JFK.

The resulting conditions, combined with the volume of flights, quickly slow airport operations to a crawl.

Air traffic controller staffing issues also affect congestion at JFK. During inclement weather, the FAA may implement ground stops or delays if minimum staffing is unavailable. This issue can be more profound at an airport as busy as JFK.

What You Can Do To Prepare

• Check the airline’s website for any weather advisories and offers to change your flight at no charge.
• If inclement weather has been forecast but the airline has not issued a waiver, you may still be able to change your flight at no charge.
• Allow plenty of extra time to reach the airport due to potential traffic congestion, and plan to arrive at least 3 hours before your flight.
• Opt for longer connections between flights, giving you buffer time in case your inbound flight is delayed.

2. The Sheer Number of Travelers and Flights

Each day, JFK handles more than 170,000 travelers. During flight disruptions, the number of travelers at the airport can swell far beyond this level. Imagine when flights are still arriving but not departing.

The airport also averages more than 1,100 flights each day. When rough weather hits, the domino effect of delays and cancellations can cause backups that drag out for days. Additionally, when weather hits JFK, other airports must hold flights bound for JFK while ground stops remain in place. These holds contribute to future backups.

While all airports experience disruption, the large number of passengers and flights at JFK compounds the resulting problems.

Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do about how busy JFK is, but knowledge (and preparation) may help improve your experience.

3. Airport Logistics

With more than 70 airlines operating from the airport, terminal occupancy is a complex situation. Having terminals separated from one another also complicates navigating connections at JFK.

Since terminals are not connected airside, you may need to clear security when changing terminals, even for a domestic-to-domestic connection. While you can transit between terminals on the AirTrain, the train is not within the airside secure zone. That means you’ll go through security again when arriving at a different terminal — adding obstacles and time.

Weather can affect the number of travelers at the airport and, in turn, increase security wait times.

What You Can Do To Prepare

• Having TSA PreCheck and/or CLEAR Plus (not available at all terminals) can help you clear security faster. Be sure TSA PreCheck is displayed on your boarding pass before you enter the security lanes. If not, check the accuracy of your Known Traveler Number in your reservation.
• Check in advance which terminals your flights will operate from.

4. The Demand for Airport Resources Surges

When things go wrong at JFK, there are plenty of resources available to help with flight disruptions. Whether you can access those resources promptly is another factor. Physical help desk lines at JFK during my recent flight disruption reached 3-hour waits.

Prompt access to resources quickly evaporates when demand is high.

The same holds for hotel availability. Airlines typically do not provide a complimentary hotel stay for weather-related disruptions. This situation means you’ll need to find your own lodging. During my recent experience, flights were delayed and canceled all afternoon, yet mine was canceled in the evening.

By then, there wasn’t a hotel room within a 45-minute $100 Uber ride. Also, the logistics of returning in the morning from a remote hotel for a possible 7 a.m. flight seemed daunting. The on-site TWA Hotel, which was $550 per night earlier that evening, was sold out by this point.

In addition to accommodations, demand for ground transportation surges during weather events, resulting in longer wait times and higher fares for taxis and rideshares.

What You Can Do To Prepare

• Download your airline’s app before departure. When my flight was canceled, I was able to select an alternate flight in the app (even though it was for the following day) instead of waiting for assistance.
• Prepare a list of possible airport hotels.
• Research airport transportation in advance (AirTrain, Long Island Railroad, and New York Subway System) and download ride-share apps if you haven’t already. Add any cards with ride-share credit benefits to the apps.

5. Lounge Availability

Airport lounges can provide a sanctuary and assistance during flight disruptions. While JFK offers numerous airline lounges, it may be difficult to access them if your flight is delayed or canceled. Take, for example, my recent experience with canceled flights.

I was able to access the Delta Sky Club with my same-day boarding pass, but when the lounge closed, the still-open Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse (where I typically qualify for access) wouldn’t grant me access because my rebooked Delta Air Lines flight was more than 3 hours later. The same issue can occur with Priority Pass membership access, due to capacity constraints or the 3-hour time limit.

The Centurion Lounge was at capacity earlier that evening, as was the Capital One Lounge. I’m reflecting on my experience in Terminal 4, but the same can apply to the other terminals.

What You Can Do To Prepare

• Research the available lounges, their operating hours, locations, and entry requirements. Bring any membership or credit cards you may need for access.
• If you do not have lounge access through membership or a credit card perk, research lounges that offer day passes for purchase.

Check Your Card’s Travel Insurance Benefits

If you incur expenses due to weather-related flight disruptions, your credit card’s travel insurance may offer some financial reimbursement.

Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Insurance

Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance can cover expenses for a flight disruption due to weather. Here are excerpts from the guide to benefits on covered losses for 2 of the best cards with travel insurance benefits. You must have paid for your trip with your card to receive the associated benefits, and additional terms apply.

Platinum Card^® from American Express

• “Inclement weather, which prevents a reasonable and prudent person from traveling or continuing on a covered trip”

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

• “Severe weather, which prevents a reasonable and prudent person from beginning or continuing on a trip”

Trip Delay Reimbursement

Trip delay coverage can reimburse you for covered expenses if your trip is delayed by more than a stated period.

Amex Platinum Card

• Defines trip delay as a “covered trip that is delayed more than six (6) hours.”
• Defines covered events to include “inclement weather, which prevents a reasonable and prudent person from traveling or continuing on a covered trip,” or “a common carrier’s equipment failure.”

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card

• Defines trip delay as “delayed due to a covered hazard for more than six (6) hours or requires an overnight stay.”
• Defines covered hazards to include “equipment failure and inclement weather.”

As these quotes are just excerpts, it’s essential to read the full terms and conditions for each coverage — or for the card you used to pay for your trip. Also, before you travel, review the requirements for filing a claim with the insurance provider. It’s easier to gather needed information during the event rather than after the fact.

Final Thoughts

While JFK is a challenge to navigate during rough weather, the airport is otherwise a vibrant, exciting place. You can enjoy its posh lounges, restaurants, bars, services, and shops for hours.

It’s also worth noting that I am not an expert on JFK airport, so most of the information in this article is based on my experience of being stranded there twice this year and learning that I need to be better prepared to transit JFK in the winter — or avoid transiting there during the winter if possible.

It’s also the only airport I’ve ever had to spend the night in, and believe me, the airport never sleeps.

For the trip cancellation and interruption insurance benefit of the Platinum Card^® from American Express, the maximum benefit amount for trip cancellation and interruption insurance is $10,000 per covered trip and $20,000 per eligible card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For the trip delay insurance benefit of the Platinum Card^® from American Express, up to $500 per covered trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per eligible card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.