Lois Larson
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is one of the busiest airports in the United States, serving over 60 million passengers annually. It is located in the borough of Queens, around 15 miles from Midtown Manhattan, and is well-connected to New York City by public transport. The airport has six terminals, with a variety of restaurants, bars, shops, and lounges, and is served by more than 70 domestic and international airlines. Getting around JFK can be challenging, but the AirTrain system provides an efficient way to move between terminals and access roads, connecting to the city's public transportation network.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, New York City |
| Distance from Manhattan | 15-16 miles |
| Number of Terminals | 5-6 |
| Number of Gates | 11, 14, 130, 131 |
| Airlines | Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, JetBlue, Sun Country Airlines, Air China, Air France, Air New Zealand, Air Serbia, Air Senegal, Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Azores Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Cayman Airways, China Eastern Airlines, Eastern Airlines, EgyptAir, EVA Air, Flair Airlines, ITA Airways, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Neos, Philippine Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, Saudia, Swiss, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Viva Aerobus, Volaris, Cape Air, Aer Lingus, Aerolineas Argentinas, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, ANA (All Nippon), Condor, Ethiopian Airlines, Icelandair, Kuwait Airways, LOT Polish Airlines, Norse Atlantic Airways, and more |
| Transportation | AirTrain, subway, bus, taxi, Long Island Rail Road trains |
| Subway Fare | $2.75-$2.90 |
| AirTrain Fare | $7.75-$8.50 |
| Amenities | Restaurants, bars, shops, lounges, nursing suites, pet relief areas, spa |
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What You'll Learn
- Getting to JFK Airport: Take the subway to Jamaica or Howard Beach Station and board the AirTrain
- Terminal layout: Terminals 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8 are laid out in a rectangular loop, with vehicle access and parking inside
- Facilities: Each terminal has dining, shopping, and lounge options. Terminal 1 has designer retail shops
- Security: Arrive 2-3 hours early for domestic/international flights. Separate checkpoints for each terminal
- Boarding: Check-in, bag drop, and security checks vary. Leave plenty of time to transfer between terminals
Getting to JFK Airport: Take the subway to Jamaica or Howard Beach Station and board the AirTrain
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is located around 16 miles southeast of Midtown Manhattan. It is one of the country's busiest airports, serving around 60 million passengers annually before the pandemic. The airport features six terminals with a total of 131 gates and four runways surrounding the central terminal area.
Getting to JFK Airport can be done in several ways, one of which is by taking the subway to either Jamaica or Howard Beach Station and then boarding the AirTrain. The AirTrain connects all passenger terminals to the New York City Subway system via these two stations. From Jamaica Station, you can take the E, J, or Z lines, and from Howard Beach Station, you can take the A-line. The Subway fares are separate from the AirTrain fares.
To get to Jamaica or Howard Beach Station, you can take the subway from Manhattan or Brooklyn. The fare for the subway is $2.90, and the AirTrain costs $8.50, making the total cost for this journey $11.40 for most riders. You can use your MetroCard at the AirTrain turnstiles to pay the AirTrain fare, but note that unlimited-ride MetroCards cannot be used for the AirTrain.
Once you arrive at either station, you can board any AirTrain that arrives. The AirTrain operates 24/7 throughout the year and provides an easy and convenient way to move around JFK Airport. It connects all the terminals to the onsite parking lots and hotel shuttle pick-up areas.
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Terminal layout: Terminals 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8 are laid out in a rectangular loop, with vehicle access and parking inside
Terminals 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8 at JFK Airport are laid out in a rectangular loop, with vehicle access and parking inside. The airport is located around 16 miles southeast of Midtown Manhattan and is the largest and busiest airport in New York. With over 90 airlines serving the airport, it is no wonder that navigating JFK can be challenging. The airport covers a surface area of 8.1 sq miles and features six terminals with a total of 131 gates. Four runways surround the central terminal area.
When navigating JFK Airport, you don't have to worry about connecting between terminals. The AirTrain system and access roads efficiently connect all the terminals. You can move between most terminals without exiting security, and there are shuttle buses available as well. Terminal 4, also known as the International Arrivals Building, has 11 gates and is one of the terminals that handle Airbus A380 aircraft. This terminal is currently managed by Delta Airlines, along with carriers such as Air France, Lufthansa, Korean Air, and Japan Airlines.
To manoeuvre through JFK Airport and its terminals effectively, the AirTrain is the most ideal and convenient mode of transportation. The AirTrain not only connects all the terminals to onsite parking lots and the hotel shuttle pick-up area but also links to the city's public transportation network through Jamaica and Howard Beach stations. While the AirTrain service within the airport is free, there is a $7.75 charge when travelling to and from the airport. The AirTrain connects to the New York City Subway system, where you can take the E, J, Z, or A-line trains.
In addition to the AirTrain, you can use the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to navigate to and from JFK Airport. The subway fare is $2.90, and the AirTrain fare is $8.50. You can use OMNY or your MetroCard to pay the AirTrain fare at the turnstiles. It's important to note that unlimited-ride MetroCards are valid for the subway but not for the AirTrain.
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Facilities: Each terminal has dining, shopping, and lounge options. Terminal 1 has designer retail shops
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is one of the world's busiest airports, serving 60-62 million passengers annually and covering 8.1 sq miles. The airport features five or six passenger terminals with 130-131 gates in total. Each terminal has dining, shopping, and lounge options.
Terminal 1, which opened in 1998, offers a wide variety of dining and shopping options, including fast-food chains, casual eateries, designer shops, and duty-free areas. It is the only terminal with a landside food court and 24/7 eating establishments. It also has 11 gates and is one of the two terminals that can handle the Airbus A380. The terminal is managed by a consortium of four key operating carriers: Air France, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, and Lufthansa.
Terminal 2, commonly known as the Delta terminal, has 11 gates but no US customs facilities, meaning it serves only domestic flights. It is planned to be demolished and replaced by Terminal 1.
Terminal 4, which replaced the old International Arrivals Building in 2001, serves more than 34 airlines and houses plenty of dining and retail options. It currently contains 48 gates in two concourses and functions as the hub for Delta Air Lines at JFK. It is managed by JFKIAT (IAT) LLC, a subsidiary of the Schiphol Group.
Terminal 5 is JetBlue's terminal, serving other airlines as well. It has 29 gates and provides passengers with many facilities and services.
Terminal 7 is handled by British Airways and has 12 gates. It offers adequate amenities to travellers, including a departures and arrivals level, and a concourse zone with the boarding gates.
Terminal 8 is considered a major aviation hub for Oneworld member airlines and mainly for American Airlines, which manages the terminal. It lies in the location where the old terminals 8 and 9 used to be.
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Security: Arrive 2-3 hours early for domestic/international flights. Separate checkpoints for each terminal
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is one of the busiest airports in the US, serving around 60 million passengers annually before the pandemic. The airport covers a surface area of 8.1 sq miles and features six terminals with a total of 131 gates.
Navigating JFK can be challenging, and it is recommended that passengers arrive 2-3 hours early for domestic/international flights to allow enough time to check in and clear security. Each of the five terminals at JFK has separate security checkpoints, and security wait times can vary, so it is important to leave plenty of time for transferring between terminals.
Passengers can check security wait times on the airport's website. Additionally, passengers can sign up for Mobile Passport, which enables US citizens and Canadian visitors to save time during the entry process. For Terminal 4, passengers can also use Reserve, powered by CLEAR, to save their spot ahead of time and avoid the wait.
To get between terminals at JFK, passengers can use the AirTrain, which is free for travel between airport terminals. The AirTrain connects all the terminals to the onsite parking lots and hotel shuttle pick-up areas. It also connects to the New York City Subway system via the Jamaica and Howard Beach stations. Passengers using the AirTrain to get to the airport will need to pay a fare.
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Boarding: Check-in, bag drop, and security checks vary. Leave plenty of time to transfer between terminals
To ensure a smooth boarding process, it is recommended that passengers arrive at the airport at least two hours before their scheduled domestic flight departure and three hours for international flights. This allows ample time for check-in, bag drop, and security screening procedures.
For check-in, passengers should proceed to their airline's designated counters, where they can present their travel documents, receive their boarding passes, and confirm their luggage allowance. It is advisable to familiarize yourself with the airline's baggage policies beforehand to avoid any unexpected fees or issues.
The bag drop process involves handing over checked luggage to the airline staff. Passengers should ensure that their bags comply with the airline's weight and size restrictions. Any oversized or overweight baggage may incur additional charges. It is also essential to remove any prohibited items from carry-on luggage, such as liquids or sharp objects, to facilitate a smoother security screening process.
Security checks at JFK Airport involve screening passengers and their carry-on baggage. Passengers are required to remove shoes, jackets, and belts and place them in screening bins, along with electronic devices such as laptops and tablets. Liquids and gels must be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces and placed in a single, clear plastic bag. To expedite the process, it is recommended to pack carry-on luggage in layers for better visibility during scanning.
Transferring between terminals at JFK Airport can be done using the AirTrain, which is accessible from the subway. The AirTrain fare is $8.50, and it provides a seamless connection between terminals. However, due to construction, roadways leading to certain terminals may be congested, so it is advisable to allow extra time for transfers and use public transportation whenever possible.
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Frequently asked questions
You can take the subway to Jamaica Station or Howard Beach Station and then board the AirTrain from there. The AirTrain connects all the terminals to the onsite parking lots and hotel shuttle pick-up areas. The AirTrain costs $8.50, and the subway costs $2.90.
It is recommended that passengers check in 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight. Security wait times are shown on the airport's website.
There are 5 terminals numbered 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8. There used to be 6 terminals, but Terminals 3 and 6 were demolished to make way for expansion projects.
The AirTrain connects all the terminals, and the ride is free if you ride it between terminals to Federal Circle or Lefferts Boulevard. You can also walk or take a shuttle bus, but the roads are busy inside the airport loop.
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