JFK Airport Terminals

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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.

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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.

See Lounges

📢 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.

See Lounges

📢 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.

See Lounges

📢 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.

See Lounges

📢 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.
See Airlines

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.

See Lounges

📢 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.