New York John F Kennedy Intl Airport, NY (JFK) Flights & Information

John F. Kennedy Airport is a major gateway to New York City, with over 70 domestic and international airlines flying to and from this metropolitan hub. Currently, the airport is undergoing a massive, multi-year renovation that will bring shiny new facilities and improved access for travelers. I’ve flown through JFK hundreds of times over the past decade; here are some tips to make your experience go smoothly.

Getting to JFK Airport

First, while JFK is located within New York City’s borders in Queens, it’s still about 17 miles from Manhattan and quite a distance from the main parts of the city. There are a number of options to get to JFK, depending on your budget, from car to subway to helicopter. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best options.

By train and subway

Typically, my preferred method to get to JFK from Manhattan is by train. There are several options for travelers, depending on which part of the city you’re in. The Long Island Railroad (LIRR) is the fastest way by train to get to JFK, and originates at New York’s Penn Station or Grand Central Station. Travel time is approximately 20-25 minutes door to door.

The subway (MTA) is the most affordable train option, but it’s slower. Take the E, J, or Z lines to Jamaica station, or the A train to the Howard Beach stop. From Midtown Manhattan, expect the journey to take around one hour. Notably, all travelers coming by train will have to connect to an AirTrain (for a fee) before getting to their terminal, which will add at least 15-20 minutes to every journey. Unfortunately, none of the train options provide dedicated storage for suitcases. Be mindful of this if you have large bags.

By car (taxi and ride-hailing)

Traffic between Manhattan and JFK is notorious for backups along the Long Island Expressway (LIE) and Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE). If traveling by car from Manhattan, the journey can sometimes take as long as 90 minutes. New York taxis offer a flat fare, while Uber, Lyft, and other ridehailing services have a dynamic pricing structure. Personal pickups and dropoffs are allowed with no toll fee.

Other ways to get to JFK

Another option to get to JFK is by helicopter, thanks to the company Blade. From its helipads on both the East Side and West Sides of Manhattan, travelers can get to JFK in around five minutes flat. Of course, this is the most expensive option to get to JFK but it’s a novelty and a great way to see the New York City skyline. I’ve taken Blade several times and while the convenience is incredible, it likely only makes sense if your starting point is near the helipads.

Getting around JFK

Passengers taking the train to JFK will disembark at either Jamaica Station or Howard Beach Station and must then take the AirTrain to their terminal. There is a fee for this service. In addition, if you need to get between terminals—say for a connecting flight—you’ll have to exit security and then hop on the AirTrain before reclearing security once more. The AirTrain is free between terminals.

While the AirTrain is usually reliable, there have been instances where construction or repairs can hinder its operation. In these cases, shuttle buses will take passengers between terminals and the train stations. I recommend giving yourself at least 30 minutes to get from Jamaica (or Howard Beach) to your terminal destination.

The JFK terminals

The airport is in the shape of a giant semi-circle with five currently active terminals and a spaghetti array of roads in between. However, in the coming years, JFK will also get two new terminals, the expansion and modernization of existing terminals, and streamlined roadways. As you might expect from one of the busiest airports in the world, JFK has a wide array of food, drink, shopping, and wellness options throughout the entire facility.

Terminal 1: Lounges and amenities

Terminal 1 serves many major international carriers, such as Air France, Turkish Airlines, and the Lufthansa Group (Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian). However, of all the JFK terminals currently, I find this one to be the most meager in terms of lounges and amenities. Security often has longer than normal lines, too.

There are a variety of high-end retail shops like Salvatore Ferragamo, Hermès, and Coach, several duty-free stores, newsstands, and a handful of fast-food and casual dining spots. For premium passengers or those with Priority Pass access, there’s an Air France Lounge, Lufthansa Lounge, and two Priority Pass lounges.

Terminal 4: Lounges and amenities

As the home of Delta Air Lines and several other carriers, this terminal has some of the best amenities in all of JFK. However, the ceilings in this terminal are quite low and the long, narrow layout means lots of congestion. Terminal 4 was refreshed in 2023 so at least there are numerous modern eateries and stores throughout.

Terminal 4 is also home to some of the best airport lounges at JFK, including three Delta Air Lines lounges, one of which is a premium Delta One Lounge with sit-down dining and massage and wellness services. There’s also an American Express Centurion Lounge, Chase Sapphire Lounge, and Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse.

Terminal 5: Lounges and amenities

Originally opened in 2008, this terminal is home to JetBlue Airways (JFK is JetBlue’s primary hub). There is a good variety of food and beverage options ranging from national chains like Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts to local favorites like Artichoke Pizza and H&H Bagels. However, what’s notably lacking is an airport lounge. Currently, there are no lounges at Terminal 5 so I wouldn’t arrive at this terminal particularly early.

Terminal 5 is well past its prime, but the good news is that it’s in the process of a massive renovation and being connected with a newly built Terminal 6. That’s expected to be completed in the coming years (which will also bring airport lounge access). The new 1.2 million square foot Terminal 6 is scheduled to partially open in 2026, with full completion scheduled for 2028.

Terminal 7: Lounges and amenities

A mish-mash of carriers fly from Terminal 7 such as Alaska Airlines, Aer Lingus, and others. This terminal is due to be demolished in the years ahead so amenities are a bit lacking. Still, you can at least find some duty-free shopping, newsstands, and retail outlets, along with a food court-style offering. Alaska Airlines has a lounge here and there’s also a third party “The Lounge at T7” for premium passengers.

Terminal 8: Lounges and amenities

This terminal is the home of American Airlines, British Airways, and other Oneworld Alliance carriers. Premium cabin passengers can visit any of the three remodeled lounges offered jointly by American and British Airways. These include the Chelsea Lounge and Soho Lounge (above Gate 14) or the Greenwich Lounge (above gate 12). In addition, there’s an Admirals Club for American members.

Accessibility at JFK

All terminals at JFK have a special assistance service for passengers with reduced mobility which can be requested when you arrive at the airport (or in advance with your airline). With the sheer size of JFK and how busy it can get, it’s important to have plenty of time to get through the airport. With that said, there are elevators, ramps, and escalators along with accessible restrooms throughout the post-security area.

Sleeping near JFK

If you have an overnight layover or need a few hours of shuteye, JFK has a few hotel options. Almost all airport hotels offer free shuttle services to and from the terminals, but the most convenient (and also expensive) option is the TWA Hotel connected to Terminal 5. This property is the only one located directly on JFK grounds; the rest of the hotels are off-property and require at least a 15-minute drive.

Other things to know about JFK

For travelers with Global Entry access entering the US at JFK, there are kiosks at each of the terminals. The airport also has an official Global Entry enrollment center in Terminal 4 arrivals next to baggage claim and participates in Enrollment on Arrival at Terminals 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8. Unfortunately, unlike other world-class airports, JFK does not offer any baggage storage facilities for layovers.