Visitors intending to reach the official site should visit jfkairport.com
Guide to the Terminals at JFK Airport
JFK Airport can seem like a labyrinth, but understanding its structure is key to a stress-free experience. Currently, the airport operates with five active terminals (1, 4, 5, 7, and 8), each with its own personality, airlines, and challenges. This guide, based on the analysis of thousands of traveler experiences, will help you navigate each of them, from walking times to what to expect at security checks and services.
Quick Answers about JFK Terminals
How many terminals are there at JFK?
There are currently five operational terminals: T1, T4, T5, T7, and T8. Terminals 2, 3, and 6 were demolished or closed to make way for new constructions.
How to get between terminals?
They are all connected by the free AirTrain, which operates 24/7. It is the most reliable way to get around internally.
Does construction affect transfers?
Yes, a lot. The airport's general remodeling works cause major traffic congestion at the entrances. Always plan for considerable extra time if you are traveling by car.
Which one has the longest walks to the gate?
Terminal 4 is known for its long distances. Getting from the security checkpoint to the farthest gates (B55) can take up to 18 minutes walking at a good pace.
Which terminal is the fastest for boarding?
Terminal 7. Being more compact, all its boarding gates are just 1 or 2 minutes from the security checkpoint.
Which terminal has the best services?
T4 and T5 are the most modern. T4 offers a wider variety of luxury shops and dining, while T5 (JetBlue) is valued for its design and functionality, although its food offerings receive criticism for their value for money.
Where are the best VIP lounges?
Terminal 4 has some of the most outstanding ones, such as the Amex Centurion Lounge, the new Capital One Lounge, and the Delta Sky Club. Terminal 8 has a complex system of lounges for American Airlines and Oneworld travelers (Admirals, Greenwich, Soho, and Chelsea).
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Photo by Tupungato - Istockphoto
Critical Points / Traveler's Manual
The Challenge of Construction Congestion
JFK's modernization project is massive and affects the entire airport. Vehicular access to the terminals can experience significant congestion, especially during peak hours. Tip: Use the AirTrain to connect with the subway or LIRR. If you need to go by car, add a buffer of at least an extra hour to your planning to avoid setbacks.
Patience at Security Checkpoints
Wait times at TSA checkpoints are one of the most recurrent complaints, especially in Terminal 4. The lines can be long and the organization, at times, chaotic. Tip: Arrive at least 3 hours in advance for international flights and 2 for domestic ones. If you are traveling to the U.S., use the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app upon landing to expedite your passage through customs.
The Human Factor: Airport Staff
The perception of the staff's treatment, especially from the TSA, is highly variable. Many travelers report abrupt or unfriendly interactions. Tip: Maintain a patient attitude and have all your documents handy. Understanding that the staff is managing a massive volume of passengers can help navigate these interactions better.
Long Distances and Signage
JFK is an expansive airport. Terminals like 4 and 8 require considerable walks to reach some gates. The signage is sometimes confusing due to renovations. Tip: Check the terminal map as soon as you pass security and accurately calculate your travel time to the boarding gate.
Estimated times from security to the 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
Mainly 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 is on this level.
Mezzanine Level
The international arrivals area is located on this level.
Departures Level
This is where all check-in counters and airline lounges are located.
Concourse Level
This level has the food court and access to the AirTrain.
User Experience:
Terminal 1 is perceived as functional but somewhat outdated and prone to congestion. It is a key access point for many international airlines, but its services receive mixed reviews. A recurring point of friction is access to VIP lounges (like Air France, Lufthansa, or Korean Air), where Priority Pass travelers often report unexpected entry restrictions or unfriendly treatment from staff. The food offering is limited and generally considered low quality and expensive.
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's aid, courtesy accommodation phones, a tourist information point, the baggage claim areas, and U.S. immigration.
Departures Level
Access to the security area, AirTrain station, information desks.
Concourse Level
This is where the check-in counters are. The security checkpoint separates the departures level from the concourse level.
In Terminal 4, there is a shopping center that offers a wide range of retail options.
User Experience:
Terminal 4 is one of the most modern and has the most services, but it also generates the most frustration. It is known for having the slowest and most congested TSA security checkpoints in the airport, with staff whose treatment is frequently described as rude. Its enormous size requires long walks to the boarding gates. Although it houses excellent VIP lounges like the Centurion Lounge and the new Capital One Lounge, access to them often involves long waiting lists. The general atmosphere can be chaotic and noisy, a contrast to its modern facilities.
Terminal 5
Destinations
Most are domestic flights by JetBlue and destinations in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Europe.
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Arrivals Level
Here you will find the baggage claim area, as well as some services, information desks, and the transportation area.
Departures Level
Check-in area and access to the boarding gates.
Concourse Level
AirTrain station.
User Experience:
As JetBlue's hub, Terminal 5 is valued for its modern design and cleanliness. However, it is not without criticism. Travelers point out that the walking distances to the gates can be considerable. The food offering, although varied, is consistently described as mediocre and excessively expensive, with practices like a mandatory 18% tip before receiving service. Additionally, the USO Center for military personnel receives complaints for its very limited opening hours, often leaving those who were counting on it without service.
Terminal 7
Destinations
Domestic flights and destinations in Europe, Canada, South America, Asia, Africa, the Middle East.
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Arrivals Level
On this level, passengers can access baggage claim. Several ground transportation options are also available here.
Departures Level
This is where the check-in counters, security checkpoint, and AirTrain station are located.
Concourse Level
The VIP lounges are located here.
User Experience:
Terminal 7 is in a state of transition, marked by renovations. Travelers describe it as small, outdated, and with an extremely limited and low-quality range of services. The advantage of its compact size is that the journey from the security checkpoint to any gate is very short. However, the overall experience is affected by the lack of dining options, the feeling of neglect in some areas, and poor comfort. The Alaska Lounge is one of the few positive points mentioned, although it does not escape criticism of its offerings.
Terminal 8
Destinations
Mainly a hub for American Airlines and Oneworld partners, with domestic flights and destinations in the Caribbean, South America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia, and New Zealand.
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Arrivals Level
This level has the baggage claim area, U.S. Customs, the AirTrain station, and access to other ground transportation options.
Departures Level
On this level, passengers will find the check-in counters, and after the security checkpoint, access to the different gates, divided into two concourses: Concourse B and Concourse C.
Concourse B
This concourse has 14 gates: 1 to 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20.
Concourse C
Concourse C has 17 gates: 31 to 47. Passenger access to Concourse C is via an underground tunnel that includes moving walkways.
User Experience:
As a major hub for American Airlines and its allies, Terminal 8 is spacious and functional, but this means long walks, especially to reach the gates in Concourse C via the underground tunnel. A common complaint is the scarce food offering, particularly affected by construction work, leaving few alternatives to fast food. Although it has several high-end VIP lounges like Chelsea and Soho, these are very exclusive, and the main lounge, the Admirals Club, is often perceived as outdated and crowded.
The airport is composed of five numbered terminals 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8, skipping Terminals 3 and 6, which were demolished in 2011 and 2013 respectively following the expansion of Terminal 5, and Terminal 2, which closed in January 2023. The New Terminal 1 began development in September 2022 and will be 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.