The passenger experience at JFK is designed to be efficient, with clear signage in yellow for gates and ticketing, green for ground transport, and black for amenities like restrooms. Welcome Centres and taxi dispatch booths in each terminal provide assistance, while the Port Authority’s staff and recorded announcements, voiced by former traffic reporter Bernie Wagenblast, guide travellers. The airport’s ongoing £15 billion redevelopment, including new terminals and roadway improvements, aims to enhance the experience further, though construction may cause temporary disruptions.
Accessing JFK from Manhattan is straightforward, with multiple transport options. The AirTrain, a round-the-clock rail system, connects terminals to Jamaica and Howard Beach stations for £6.60, linking to the New York City Subway (E, J, Z, or A lines) or Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) for a 20-30 minute journey to Penn Station or Grand Central.
Taxis offer a flat £56 fare to Manhattan, though tolls and peak-hour surcharges may apply, with travel times ranging from 30 to 90 minutes depending on traffic. Rideshares like Uber and Lyft operate from designated pick-up zones, though construction may redirect these to remote lots. Buses, including the Q3, Q10, and B15, provide affordable options at £2.20, with free transfers to subways. Car rentals are accessible via AirTrain to Federal Circle, and drivers can reach JFK via the Van Wyck Expressway or JFK Expressway, though rush-hour congestion requires extra time.
JFK’s layout spans five terminals—1, 4, 5, 7, and 8—arranged in a rectangular loop with no airside walkways, meaning passengers must re-clear security for connections. The AirTrain, free within the airport, links terminals, parking, and external transit in 10-15 minutes. Terminal 4, the largest, handles both domestic and international flights with 42 gates across two concourses, while Terminal 5, home to JetBlue, connects to the retro TWA Hotel. Clear signage by Paul Mijksenaar aids navigation, and baggage claim areas with flight information monitors are located in each terminal. International arrivals at Terminals 1, 4, and 7 process through customs, with Mobile Passport Control and Global Entry kiosks speeding up entry.
Delays can occur due to high passenger volumes, especially during peak hours from 6-9 AM and 4-7 PM, when security lines may take 20-30 minutes. Construction-related road congestion and weather, particularly snow or thunderstorms, can disrupt schedules, so travellers should arrive two hours early for domestic flights and three for international. The Reserve by CLEAR programme at Terminal 4 allows pre-booked security slots to reduce wait times. Checking flight status via the JFK website or apps like FlightAware is advised.
Dining options at JFK reflect New York’s culinary diversity, with over 100 eateries across the terminals. Terminal 4’s Concourse B offers Shake Shack, Starbucks, and Le Grand Comptoir for wine and small plates, while Terminal 5 features Loft Steakhouse and Deep Blue Sushi. Terminal 1 caters to international travellers with Soy & Sake and Pizza Pub. Retail includes duty-free shops in Terminals 1, 4, and 7, alongside designer stores like Coach and Hermès in Terminal 4, and newsstands like Hudson across all terminals. The new Terminal 1, set to open in 2026, will add 180,000 square feet of dining and retail space.
Facilities cater to diverse needs, with free Wi-Fi, charging stations, and over 25 lounges, including the Delta Sky Club in Terminal 4 and American Admirals Club in Terminal 8, with day passes available at eight lounges. Terminal 5 offers a yoga room, and nursing suites are available in Terminals 4 and 5. Pet relief areas are located in all terminals, with an outdoor option near Terminal 5. The Ark at JFK provides luxury pet boarding, and three chapels, including Our Lady of the Skies, offer quiet spaces. The TWA Hotel, connected to Terminal 5, provides on-site accommodation with a rooftop pool.
On-time performance is generally reliable, with major carriers like Delta and JetBlue maintaining consistent schedules, though travellers should monitor real-time updates on terminal displays or apps. Connections require re-clearing security, with a minimum connecting time of 60 minutes for domestic and 90 minutes for international flights due to customs. Terminal 4’s size makes it a key transfer hub, though walking times between gates can reach 10 minutes.Potential delays stem from construction, particularly around Terminals 6 and 7, which may close roads intermittently through 2028. Heavy traffic on approach roads, especially during rush hours, and peak-season crowds can slow processes. Travellers can mitigate delays by using Mobile Passport Control, pre-booking parking at one of 20,000 spaces, or opting for midweek flights.
Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus operates from Terminal 7 at John F. Kennedy International Airport for flights to Dublin and Shannon. Check-in desks are located in Zones 307 and 308 of Terminal 7. Check-in opens 3.5 hours before departure and closes 75 minutes before departure for transatlantic flights. Online check-in is available 24 hours to 2 hours prior.
Flights typically depart from Gates 1–10 in Terminal 7, which are all close to each other. Specific gate assignments are allocated daily and displayed on airport departure boards or via the Aer Lingus app.
Aer LIngus will move to the new Terminal 6 in 2026.
Delta
Delta’s year-round flights to Ireland operate from Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, their primary international hub. Counters in Terminal 4 departures (zones A-B, desks 1-30) Check-in opens 3 hours before (24 hours online); closes 90 minutes prior. Self-kiosks and bag drop in Concourse A/B. Arrive 3 hours early.
Departure Gates in Concourse A or B (A7-A15 or B20-B30 for transatlantic) Gates announced 45-60 minutes before; for Dublin, often A10-A15. Boarding 30-45 minutes prior; gates close 15 minutes before. Use Delta app.
Jetblue
JetBlue’s seasonal direct flights to Ireland (Dublin) depart from Terminal 5 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, their main hub. Check-in DesksTerminal 5 (kiosks and counters 1-20 for international) Check-in opens 3 hours before; closes 60 minutes prior. Online 24 hours; self-kiosks and bag drop available. Arrive 3 hours early.
Departure Gates in Terminal 5 (1-30, often 20-28 for transatlantic) Gates announced 45-60 minutes before; for Dublin, commonly 22-26. Boarding 30-45 minutes prior; gates close 15 minutes before. Use JetBlue app.
Terminal 1 airlines
International long-haul flights; primarily non-U.S. carriers from Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa, and South America; managed by Terminal One Group. – Air China – Air France – Air India – Air New Zealand – Air Serbia – Air Senegal – ANA (All Nippon Airways) – Asiana Airlines – Austrian Airlines – Avianca – Azerbaijan Airlines – Azores Airlines – Brussels Airlines – Cape Air – Cathay Pacific – China Airlines – China Eastern Airlines – China Southern Airlines – Copa Airlines – EgyptAir – El Al – Emirates – Ethiopian Airlines – Etihad Airways – EVA Air – Icelandair – Japan Airlines – Korean Air – Kuwait Airways – Lufthansa – Oman Air – Qatar Airways – Saudia – Singapore Airlines – TAP Air Portugal – Turkish Airlines – Uzbekistan Airways – Virgin Atlantic
Terminal 4 airlines
Major hub for Delta Air Lines and SkyTeam partners; international and domestic long-haul to Europe, Latin America, Caribbean, Africa, and Asia; recently expanded with 17 gates.
Aeromexico – Air France (select flights) – Alitalia (ITA Airways) – China Airlines – China Eastern Airlines – Copa Airlines – Delta Air Lines (main hub) – Kenya Airways – KLM – LATAM Airlines – Virgin Atlantic – WestJet
Terminal 5 airlines
Primary base for JetBlue; domestic U.S. flights and some international to Caribbean, Central/South America, and Europe; modern facilities with 26 gates.
Cape Air – JetBlue Airways (main hub) – Spirit Airlines (select flights) Terminal 7 Oneworld and select international carriers; domestic and international flights to Europe, Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean; set for replacement by new
Terminal 6 airlines (new in 2026)
Aer Lingus – Air Canada (select flights) – Alaska Airlines – American Airlines (select flights) – British Airways (select flights) – Cathay Pacific (select flights) – Icelandair (select flights) – Qantas (select flights) – United Airlines (select flights)
Terminal 7 airlines (current)
Aer Lingus – Air Canada – Alaska Airlines – All Nippon Airways.
Terminal 8 airlines
Hub for American Airlines and oneworld partners; domestic U.S., Canada, Mexico, and international long-haul to Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America; recently expanded with joint lounges.
Alaska Airlines (select flights) – American Airlines (main hub) – British Airways – Cathay Pacific – Finnair – Hawaiian Airlines – Iberia – Japan Airlines – LATAM Airlines (select flights) – Qantas – Qatar Airways – Royal Jordanian
For real-time flight status, gate info, or construction updates (e.g., rideshare pickups relocated due to work), visit jfkairport.com or the JFK app. Arrive 3 hours early for international flights and 2 hours for domestic. All terminals offer dining, shops, lounges (e.g., Delta One Lounge in T4, Admirals Club in T8), and accessibility services, with enhanced security and AirTrain navigation.
