Everything You Need to Know About Traveling Through JFK International Airport

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is one of the nation's busiest hubs, with more than 70 domestic and international airlines flying to destinations across the United States and around the world from its 130 gates. Located in the borough of Queens, it's one of three major airports serving the New York City metropolitan area — the other two are LaGuardia Airport (LGA), also in Queens, and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), in New Jersey.

First opened in 1948 as New York International Airport and renamed in 1963 following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the airport has undergone a number of expansions and renovations, some of which are still in progress. There are currently five active terminals — 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8 — while construction on a newly imagined Terminal 6 will wrap in 2025.

If you've ever asked yourself, "Which terminal is Delta in at JFK?" or wondered where to find JetBlue, keep this guide handy. Here's what to expect in each of the five terminals and everything else you need to know about JFK airport before you fly.

JFK Airport Map

JFK Airlines

JFK is a hub airport for more than 70 airlines, including domestic carriers such as Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue, and Sun Country Airlines.

International airlines operating out of JFK include: Aer Lingus, Aeromexico, Aerolineas Argentinas, Air Canada, Air China, Air Europa, Air France, Air India, Air New Zealand, Air Serbia, Air Senegal, ANA (All Nippon), Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Avianca Brasil, Azores Airlines, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Cape Air, Caribbean Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Cayman Airways, China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Condor, Copa Airlines, Eastern Airlines, EgyptAir, El Al, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad, EVA Air, Finnair, Flair Airlines, Iberia, Icelandair, ITA Airways, Japan Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, Kuwait Airways, LATAM, Level, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Neos, Norse Atlantic Airways, Philippine Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian, Saudia, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Swiss, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Uzbekistan Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Viva Aerobus, Volaris, WestJet, and Xiamen Air.

JFK Airport Terminals

Throughout JFK's five terminals, you'll find a variety of restaurants, bars, shops, and other airport amenities to make your travels easier.

JFK Terminal 1

Airlines at JFK's Terminal 1 include Air China, Air France, Air New Zealand, Air Serbia, Air Senegal, Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Azores Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Cayman Airways, China Eastern Airlines, Eastern Airlines, EgyptAir, EVA Air, Flair Airlines, ITA Airways, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Neos, Philippine Airlines, Royal Air Maroc, Saudia, Swiss, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Viva Aerobus, and Volaris.

Terminal 1 is home to a variety of retail shops, ranging from designer brands such as Coach, Salvatore Ferragamo, Hermès, Michael Kors, and Bulgari to several duty-free stores and newsstands.

A number of fast-food and casual dining spots such as McDonald's, Soy & Sake, Starbucks, and Wok & Roll are also available for a quick bite.

Services in Terminal 1 include a pet relief area, nursing station, currency exchange, and baggage storage. It's also where you'll find the Air France and Lufthansa lounges.

JFK Terminal 4

At JFK's Terminal 4, you'll find Aeromexico, Air Europa, Air India, Avianca Brasil, Caribbean Airlines, China Airlines, Copa Airlines, Delta Air Lines, El Al, Emirates, Etihad, Hawaiian Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, LATAM, Singapore Airlines, Uzbekistan Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, WestJet, and XiamenAir. It's also where JetBlue's international arrivals come in between the hours of 10:30 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Revamped in 2023, the terminal is as swanky as ever, with high-end shops like Brooks Brothers, Coach, Hugo Boss, Kiehl's, Michael Kors, Pandora, Swarovski, and Victoria's Secret on offer for some preflight retail therapy.

In addition to the usual duty-free shops, newsstands, and to-go markets, there are dining options ranging from fast-food chains like Shake Shack and Dunkin' Donuts to sit-down eateries like The Palm Bar & Grille.

Services offered at Terminal 4 include baggage storage, an interfaith chapel, nursing stations, pet relief areas, and currency exchanges.

Air India, Delta, El Al, Emirates, Etihad, Swiss, and Virgin Atlantic all have lounges in this terminal; it's also where you'll find the American Express Centurion Lounge. A Wingtips Lounge is available to passengers on select airlines (or for members of certain lounge networks, such as Priority Pass). For a preflight massage, head to one of the XpresSpa outposts.

JFK Terminal 5

At long last, the answer to the question, "What terminal is JetBlue in at JFK?" It's actually the main airline flying from Terminal 5 (Cape Air is the only other carrier based here). Terminal 5 is also where you can access the airport's only on-site lodging, the TWA Hotel (more on that later).

Retail shops include Loft, Brighton Collectibles, Ron Jon Surf Shop, and two bookstores, as well as several grab-and-go markets and duty-free shops.

Food and beverage options range from national chains like Starbucks, Jamba Juice, and Dunkin' Donuts to local favorites like Artichoke Basille's Pizza, Baked by Melissa, and H&H Bagels.

Services include a USO center, pet relief areas, nursing suites, and a Be Relax Spa for on-the-go manicures and massages.

JFK Terminal 7

Several international airlines fly from Terminal 7, including Aer Lingus, Aerolineas Argentinas, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, ANA (All Nippon), Condor, Ethiopian Airlines, Icelandair, Kuwait Airways, LOT Polish Airlines, Norse Atlantic Airways, Scandinavian Airlines, and Sun Country Airlines.

Duty-free shopping, newsstands, and other retail outlets such as Kiehl's are available, while a food court has offerings such as coffee and pastries, sushi, deli-style sandwiches, and burgers.

Services available at Terminal 7 include currency exchanges, pet relief areas, and nursing suites.

Aer Lingus and Alaska Airlines each have their lounges here, and it's where you'll find The Lounge @T7 for passengers flying in premium classes aboard several airlines.

JFK Terminal 8

With flights from American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Southern Airlines, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Level, Qantas, Qatar Airways, and Royal Jordanian, you can reach destinations all around the world from Terminal 8.

Spend some time shopping at retailers like Bulgari, Hugo Boss, Michael Kors, Salvatore Ferragamo, Solstice, Tag Heuer/MontBlanc, or Victoria's Secret if you'd rather not stop by the typical souvenir and gift shops.

Grab a quick pick-me-up from Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts, or enjoy a longer meal at Bobby Van's Steakhouse, Cascata, O'Neals, or SoHo Bistro.

Services at Terminal 8 include nursing stations, baggage storage, currency exchanges, and pet relief areas.

Premium-class passengers can also visit any of the three lounges offered jointly by American Airlines and British Airways: the Chelsea Lounge and Soho Lounge (above Gate 14) or the Greenwich Lounge (above gate 12).

JFK Airport Parking and Transportation

When it comes to parking at JFK, you have two options: short-term/daily parking by the terminals with daily maximums between $36 and $60, and long-term/economy lot parking with a maximum daily rate of $30. You can book parking online before your trip.

JFK's AirTrain connects the airport's terminals to the parking lots, rental car center, hotel shuttle pickup area, and the Jamaica and Howard Beach subway stations. The Jamaica stop also offers access to the Long Island Rail Road. The AirTrain is free within the airport, but if you're taking it to or from the Jamaica or Howard Beach stations, the fee for a single-ride ticket is $8.25. You can use the city's handy contactless system, OMNY, to tap your credit or debit card (or smartphone app or wearable device) as you enter.

The least expensive way to reach JFK from Manhattan and most other NYC boroughs is by subway or bus, but it will also likely take the most time. Take the E, J, or Z lines to Jamaica station, or the A train to the Howard Beach stop, before transferring to the AirTrain for your terminal. Entry to the subway is a flat fare of $2.90 to any destination. Several bus routes serve the airport from Queens and Brooklyn.

The Long Island Rail Road service to Jamaica departs from Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan and Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn. A one-way trip takes less than a half-hour and costs $5 off-peak and $7 during peak hours. 

Alternatively, you can take a cab or use Uber, Lyft, or any other rideshare service. A taxi between JFK and Manhattan in either direction carries a flat fare of $70 (plus tip and toll fees, and a $5 surcharge between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on weekdays). Shared shuttle and van service is also available via companies such as Airlink New York, ETS Air Shuttle, Trans-Bridge Bus Lines, and Carmel Super Saver, among others.

If you'd rather rent your own set of wheels, you'll find Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt, and Thrifty rental car companies on site. Counters are typically in each terminal's arrival level, but you'll need to hop on the AirTrain to pick up your vehicle from the appropriate company at its Federal Circle Station location.

JFK International Airport Hotels

There are numerous hotels located just outside the airport — among the most notable brands are Radisson, Hilton, Courtyard by Marriott, Hampton Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Comfort Inn, and Residence Inn.

If you're looking to stay inside the airport itself, book at the TWA Hotel. Opened in 2019 in the former terminal of the defunct airline, the hotel is known for its iconic '60s design and an epic rooftop infinity pool that overlooks some of the nearby runways. Don't miss the museum exhibits about TWA and the golden age of aviation, the old-school photo booth, the room featuring a giant version of the game Twister, or the cocktail lounge housed in a Lockheed Constellation L-1649A aircraft — all perfect ways to kill some time before your flight or chill out after a long travel day.