JFK New York John F Kennedy International Airport | Terminal Overview and Basic Information

The most frustrating part of flying in and out of JFK is that it could (and should) be so much better, but neglect and patchwork planning makes it a difficult airport.

First and foremost I recommend Blacklane. It costs a bit more than a Ride Share or Taxi… but if you are stuck in a car with luggage after a long flight, this is the least costly (and least annoying) way to endure the endless construction on the Van Wyck Expressway.

Blade does offer a reliable Helicopter Service into Manhattan (and other locales), approx $295 per person, one way.

Taxi or Ride Share, whichever your personal preference is.

The Airtrain is good for getting to a different Terminal once at the Airport… but for non-locals, I do not suggest using this to get into town. Eventually the Airtrain merges into the NYC train system and. Not recommended, especially if you have luggage.

This is just a general guide, so please check with your travel professional before heading to JFK.

Terminal 1 – International
The bulk of the International Carriers, including:
Aeroflot, Air France, Alitalia, China Eastern Airlines, Korean Air, Saudia, Air China, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, EVA Air, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Japan Airlines, Air Italy, Azerbaijan Airlines, Cayman Airways, Fly Jamaica Airways, Norwegian Air, Philippine Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, and WOW Air.

Terminal 4 – Domestic & International
Bizarre, strange layout, and really long.
Delta Air Lines is the main airline with a host of others:
Aeromexico, Air Europa, China Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Kenya Airways, KLM, and Xiamen Airlines, Air India, Asiana Airlines, Avianca, Copa Airlines, EgyptAir, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, and Swiss International Air Lines, Air Serbia, Caribbean Airlines, China Southern Airlines, El Al, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Kuwait Airways, Sun Country Airlines, Thomas Cook Airlines, Uzbekistan Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Volaris, WestJet, and XL Airways.

Terminal 2
Soon to be demolished, this is mostly an extention of Terminal 4.
Delta Air Lines

Terminal 5 – Domestic & International
Currently the nicest of the Terminals at JFK.
the main JetBlue Airways Hub.
Also using T5: Hawaiian Airlines, TAP Portugal, and Aer Lingus.

Terminal 7 – Domestic & International
Currently British Airways Terminal.
Also using T7: Iberia, Qatar Airways, All Nippon Airways, LOT Polish Airlines, Aerolíneas Argentinas, Alaska Airlines, Eurowings, Interjet, Icelandair, and Ukraine International Airlines.

Terminal 8 – Domestic & International
American Airlines Terminal with it’s One World Partners.
Including: Cathay Pacific, Finnair, LATAM Brasil, LATAM Chile, Qantas, Qatar Airways, and Royal Jordanian Airlines.

Things go wrong at JFK quite often, so it is not the most reliable Airport for connections. Bad Weather and Gate Delays are very common. Allow 2 hours or more for an International to Domestic connection. Customs and TSA can be painfully slow (and a twee bit lazy) at JFK.

When changing Terminals, you will need to exit and go landside, the Airtrain is best used, forcing you to go through the rescreening process another pointless time. The only airside Terminal connections are between T2 & T4 using the Jitney bus. JFK desperately needs a better Transiting Airside program.

Security Screening has been around long enough (since 911) that all US Airports should not force passengers to the need to be rescreened because their terminals are NOT securely connected.

Lufthansa Business Lounge – Terminal 1
Air France Lounge – Terminal 1
KAL Business Class Lounge – Terminal 1

Delta Sky Club – Terminal 2 (a rather sad lounge)

Delta Sky Club – Terminal 4 (one of their better lounges)
El Al King David Lounge – Terminal 4
Emirates Lounge – Terminal 4
Etihad Lounge – Terminal 4
Air India Lounge – Terminal 4
Virgin Clubhouse – Terminal 4
Swiss Lounge – Terminal 4

Airspace Lounge – Terminal 5 (closed)

British Airways Lounge – Terminal 7
British Airways Concorde Lounge – Terminal 7

American Airlines Admirals Club – Terminal 8
American Airlines Flagship Lounge – Terminal 8

Priority Pass Lounge Access
Air France Lounge – Terminal 1
KAL Business Class Lounge – Terminal 1
Wingtips Lounge – Terminal 4
Alaska Lounge – Terminal 7
Bobby Van’s Steakhouse – Terminal 8

The TWA Hotel, may be one of the smarter things that has happened to JFK since JetBlue. This is the best Transit Hotel option for JFK. Service can be a bit lacking, but it presents a fun evening with very good food options.

Plans are underway to do some major renovations… this will be great when they are done, this will make JFK even more unreliable until that is complete.