Navigating Jfk: Understanding The Airport's Gate System

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is one of the leading international gateways in the United States. Located in Queens, New York City, JFK Airport is the busiest international airport in the country and the third-biggest freight gateway in terms of the value of shipments. It is served by over 90 airlines and has six terminals, with 128-130 gates in total.

Terminal 1: opened in 1998, 11 gates, handles international airlines

Terminal 1 at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City opened in 1998, fifty years after the airport itself first opened. The terminal has 11 gates and handles international airlines, including Air France, China Eastern Airlines, Korean Air, Saudia, Scandinavian Airlines, Air China, Air New Zealand, Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Egyptair, EVA Air, Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Air Serbia, Azores Airlines, Cayman Airways, ITA Airways, Neos, Philippine Airlines, VivaAerobús, and Volaris.

Terminal 1 is the only terminal at JFK with a landside food court and 24/7 eating establishments. The terminal offers a wide variety of dining and shopping options, including fast-food chains, casual eateries, designer shops, and duty-free areas. The arrivals level hosts the baggage claim area, a concierge desk, a refreshment counter, and a currency exchange. The departures level is where passengers will find the check-in points, gates 1-11, and retail facilities. The food court and several lounges are located on the mezzanine level.

Terminal 1 was designed by William Nicholas Bodouva + Associates and is one of two terminals at JFK with the capability to handle the Airbus A380 aircraft. The terminal was built at the direction of the Terminal One Group, a consortium of four key operating carriers: Air France, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, and Lufthansa. These airlines agreed that the then-existing international carrier facilities were inadequate for their needs.

Terminal 2: built in 1962, 11 gates, handles domestic flights

Terminal 2 at JFK Airport was built in 1962 and has 11 gates. It is commonly known as the Delta terminal and is used for domestic flights only, as it is not equipped with US customs facilities. The terminal was demolished in 2023 to make way for a new Terminal 1.

Terminal 2 was originally opened as a joint terminal for Northwest Orient, Braniff International Airways, and Northeast Airlines. Delta Air Lines later became the primary occupant of the terminal. The terminal featured 11 jetbridge-equipped gates and a mezzanine-level airline club. It also housed several hardstands for smaller regional airliners.

Prior to the completion of Terminal 4, the gates at Terminal 2 were prefixed with the letter 'C', and airside shuttle buses provided passenger connectivity with Terminal 4. Before 2013, Terminal 2 hosted most of Delta's operations in conjunction with Terminal 3. However, the expansion of Terminal 4 allowed Delta to consolidate most of its operations, including international and transcontinental flights, into the larger facility.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Delta suspended all operations from Terminal 2 in mid-2020 due to schedule reductions. The terminal resumed flights in July 2021 but was permanently closed for departures on January 10, 2023, and for arrivals on January 15, 2023.

Terminal 4: opened in 2001, 38 gates, major international hub for Delta Air Lines

Terminal 4 at JFK Airport, which opened in 2001, is a major international hub for Delta Air Lines. The terminal is owned by JFKIAT and replaced the old international arrivals building. It serves more than 34 airlines, including Aeromexico, Air India, Air Europa, Avianca, Caribbean, China Airlines, China Southern, Copa Airlines, Delta, El Al, Emirates, Etihad, Hainan, JetBlue, Kenya Airways, KLM, Kuwait Airways, LATAM, Singapore Airlines, Uzbekistan Airways, Virgin Atlantic, WestJet, and Xiamen Air.

Terminal 4 has 38 gates and is split into two concourses. Concourse A handles Asian and European international flights, while Concourse B deals with domestic and international destinations, mainly served by Delta and other SkyTeam alliance airlines. The terminal is spread across two levels, with arrivals and baggage claim located on Level 1 and departures on Level 2. The food court and shopping area are also located on Level 2, in Concourse A and B.

Terminal 4 is one of only two terminals at JFK Airport capable of handling the Airbus A380, the heaviest aircraft departing from the terminal, weighing 1.2 million pounds. The terminal has a dedicated safe travel resource centre and offers quick security checks and customs inspections. It also provides free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal.

To make connections to other terminals at JFK Airport, passengers can use the AirTrain service, which operates 24/7 and offers free rides for transfers between terminals. Delta Airlines also provides a free shuttle service, the Delta Jitney bus, for transfers between Terminals 2 and 4.

Terminal 5: opened in 2008, 29 gates, serves JetBlue Airways

Terminal 5 at JFK Airport, also known as T5, is a bustling transportation hub that offers a seamless travel experience for passengers. The terminal opened in 2008 and is the primary operating base for JetBlue Airways, though it also serves other airlines such as Air Lingus and Cape Air. The terminal has 29 gates spread across two levels: departures and arrivals. It provides a wide range of amenities, including nursing facilities near gates 1, 12, and 27, and pet relief areas near the north end of the arrivals area and gate 28.

T5 is known for its breathtaking design, having won multiple awards. It incorporates the preserved Eero Saarinen-designed TWA Flight Center, which is now connected to the new structure and considered part of Terminal 5. A walkway and the AirTrain connect the Saarinen Terminal to the rest of the terminal. The active Terminal 5 building has gates 1 through 12 and 14 through 30, with gates 25 through 30 handling international flights that are not pre-cleared.

Terminal 5 offers a variety of dining options, including Horizon Bakery Café, Lucy's Asian Kitchen, New York Sports Grill, Custom Burger / Eggy Weggy, and World Bean Coffee Bar & Cafe. There are also several shops, including Brighton Collectibles, Clean & Safe Travels, and Hollywood Reporter, which is located at the arrivals level.

Passengers flying with JetBlue can add up to two checked bags either during booking or at the airport, as long as they meet the dimensions and weight requirements. However, there will be a fee for bags exceeding 62" in overall dimensions or 50 pounds in weight.

Terminal 5 is easily accessible, with the yellow parking garage being the closest parking lot. It is also connected to the rest of JFK Airport and can be reached by rideshare services such as Lyft and Uber.

Terminal 7: opened in 1970, 12 gates, operated by British Airways

Terminal 7 at JFK Airport, also known as John F. Kennedy International Airport, is operated by British Airways and is the only terminal in the US that is handled by a foreign carrier. The terminal, which opened in 1970, features 12 gates and is split into a departures and arrivals level, with a concourse zone where the boarding gates are located. The ground transportation information centre, US immigration, and ATMs can be found on the arrivals level, while the departures level features check-in desks and a security checkpoint. Most departure gates are on the concourse level.

Designed by GMW Architects, Terminal 7 was built for British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) and Air Canada. In 1989, the terminal underwent a $120 million renovation and expansion, and in 1997, the Port Authority approved British Airways' plans for a $250 million renovation and expansion project, which was completed in 2003.

In addition to British Airways, several other airlines operate out of Terminal 7, including Oneworld carrier Alaska Airlines, Star Alliance carriers Air Canada Express, All Nippon Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, and LOT Polish Airlines, as well as non-alliance carriers Aer Lingus, Condor, Frontier Airlines, HiSky, Icelandair, Kuwait Airways, Norse Atlantic Airways, and Sun Country Airlines.

Terminal 7 offers various services and facilities for travellers, including nursing facilities near Gate 10, pet relief areas at the west end of the arrivals area and near Gates 9 and 10, and a variety of dining options. Short-term and long-term parking options are also available, with the closest short-term parking located at the orange parking lots.

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