Visitors intending to reach the official site should visit jfkairport.com
JFK Airport Terminals

Quick Answers About JFK Terminals
- 🛫 How many terminals does JFK have? Currently five active terminals: T1, T4, T5, T7, and T8. Terminals 2, 3, and 6 have been closed or demolished.
- 🚆 How to get between terminals? All terminals are connected by the free AirTrain, running 24/7.
- 🚶 Which terminal has the longest walk to gates? Terminal 4. Walking from security to Gate B55 can take up to 18 minutes.
- ⏱️ Fastest terminal to board? Terminal 7: all gates are just 1–2 minutes from the security checkpoint.
- 🍽️ Which terminal has the best services? T5 (JetBlue) is modern and has great dining options. T4 offers more shops but tends to be more crowded.
- 💼 Where are the lounges? All terminals have at least one lounge. Top-rated ones include the Centurion Lounge (T4) and Admirals Club (T8).
- 🔄 Can I walk between terminals? Not really. You must use the AirTrain. Only T1 and T2 were physically connected, but T2 is now closed for construction.
Destinations, Level Details, and User Reviews
JFK Airport consists of five numbered terminals: 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8, skipping Terminals 3 and 6, which were demolished in 2011 and 2013, respectively, after the expansion of Terminal 5, and Terminal 2, which closed in January 2023 to be used for the airport's new international terminal. The New Terminal 1 began development in September 2022 and is being built on the site currently housing Terminals 1 and 2. Construction is expected to be fully completed by 2030.
All terminals are connected via the AirTrain system and access roads.

Photo by Tupungato - Istockphoto
🕒 Estimated Times from Security Checkpoint to Gates
These are the average walking times from the security checkpoint to the boarding gates in each JFK terminal. They are indicative and may vary depending on passenger flow and conditions of the day:
Terminal 1
- Gates 1–4: 1–2 minutes
- Gates 5–11: 3–4 minutes
Terminal 4
- Gates A3–B25: 3–5 minutes
- Gates B26–B33: 7–11 minutes
- Gates B34–B42: 12–14 minutes
- Gates B43–B55: 15–18 minutes
Terminal 5
- Gates 1–11 and 18–27: 2–4 minutes
- Gates 12–17 and 28–30: 5–7 minutes
Terminal 7
- All gates: 1–2 minutes
Terminal 8
- Gates 5–16: 2–4 minutes
- Gates 1–4 and 40–47: 5–8 minutes
- Gates 31A–39: 8–11 minutes
Terminal 1
Destinations
Intercontinental flights to Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Caribbean, plus some flights to Canada and Mexico.
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Arrivals Level
Passengers arrive here at the baggage claim area and can find some services. Access to ground transportation via this level.
Mezzanine Level
The international arrivals area is located on this level.
Departures Level
This is where all the check-in counters and airline lounges are located.
Concourse Level
The food court and access to the AirTrain are here.
📢 User Experience:
- The Air France Lounge is one of the best options with Priority Pass, although entry can be tricky due to credit card restrictions.
- The terminal is functional, but can get crowded during peak hours.
- Some travelers have reported issues with the staff at the lounge entrances.
Terminal 4
Destinations
Domestic flights, international flights to Mexico, Canada, Central America, South America, the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East.
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Arrivals Level
Here you will find ground transportation, traveler assistance, courtesy hotel phones, a tourist information point, baggage claim areas, and US immigration.
Departures Level
Access to the security area, AirTrain station, information desks.
Concourse Level
Check-in counters are here. The security checkpoint separates the departures level from the concourse level.
There is a shopping center in Terminal 4 offering a wide range of retail options.
📢 User Experience:
- Security at this terminal is extremely slow, and TSA staff can be rude.
- The American Express Centurion Lounge is well-regarded for its food but is often crowded.
- Speaker announcements can be too loud and annoying for passengers.
Terminal 5
Destinations
Mostly JetBlue domestic flights and destinations in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Europe.
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Arrivals Level
Find the baggage claim area here, plus some services, information desks, and transportation area.
Departures Level
Check-in area and access to boarding gates.
Concourse Level
AirTrain station.
📢 User Experience:
- Modern and clean terminal, but with long walks to the boarding gates.
- The USO Center, offering services for military personnel, has received criticism for its limited operating hours.
- Good food options, although prices are high.
Terminal 7
Destinations
Domestic flights and European destinations, Canada, South America, Asia, Africa, the Middle East.
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Arrivals Level
Passengers can access baggage claim on this level. Several ground transportation options are also available.
Departures Level
Check-in counters, security checkpoint, and AirTrain station are located here.
Concourse Level
Airline lounges are located here.
📢 User Experience:
- The Alaska Lounge is a standout option with good service and decent food, although the view is blocked by construction.
- Several passengers complain that the terminal is old, and its layout is not intuitive.
- Some areas can feel neglected compared to other terminals.
Terminal 8
Destinations
Domestic flights, especially from American Airlines, the Caribbean, South America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia, and New Zealand.
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Arrivals Level
Features the baggage claim area, US Customs, the AirTrain station, and access to other ground transportation options.
Departures Level
On this level, passengers will find check-in counters, and after the security checkpoint, access to the different gates, divided into two concourses: Concourse B and Concourse C.
Concourse B
There are 14 gates in this concourse: 1 to 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20.
Concourse C
In Concourse C, there are 17 gates: 31 to 47. Passenger access to Concourse C is via an underground tunnel with moving walkways.
📢 User Experience:
- Spacious terminal but with long distances to travel.
- It is recommended to plan extra time for connections due to the distance between gates.
- The American Airlines Admirals Club is very popular but can get crowded during peak hours.