John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
ICAO: KJFK
Live Flight Status
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Arrivals & Departures — check real-time flight status, delays, gate changes, and baggage claim information for all domestic and international flights at JFK.
Overview
John F. Kennedy International Airport (IATA: JFK, ICAO: KJFK) is the primary international airport serving New York City, United States, and the busiest international gateway to North America. Located about 21 km southeast of Lower Manhattan in the borough of Queens, JFK is the main hub for American Airlines (AA), Delta Air Lines (DL), and JetBlue (B6), and a key base for many international carriers.
Opened in 1948 as Idlewild Airport, it was renamed in 1963 in honour of President John F. Kennedy. JFK is the largest and busiest of the three major airports serving the New York metropolitan area, alongside LaGuardia (LGA) and Newark Liberty (EWR). The airport operates six passenger terminals — Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 4, Terminal 5, Terminal 7, and Terminal 8 — connected by the AirTrain JFK, an automated people mover that also links the airport to the New York City Subway and the Long Island Rail Road.
JFK connects to over 100 international destinations and 80 domestic destinations across Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Oceania, served by more than 70 airlines. It is the main international gateway to the United States and a key hub for transatlantic travel. Popular routes include London (LHR), Paris (CDG), Frankfurt (FRA), Amsterdam (AMS), Dubai (DXB), Tokyo (HND, NRT), Hong Kong (HKG), Los Angeles (LAX), and San Francisco (SFO).
In 2024, John F. Kennedy International Airport handled over 63 million passengers, making it the busiest international airport in the United States and one of the busiest in the world. The airport is undergoing a multi-billion-dollar transformation programme, including the construction of two new terminals (Terminal 6 and the expanded Terminal 8) and a complete redesign of the roadway network.
Popular Destinations from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
European routes include London (LHR), Paris (CDG), Frankfurt (FRA), Amsterdam (AMS), Madrid (MAD), Rome (FCO), Dublin (DUB), and Zurich (ZRH). Airlines serving these routes include American Airlines (AA), Delta Air Lines (DL), British Airways (BA), Lufthansa (LH), Air France (AF), KLM (KL), Iberia (IB), ITA Airways (AZ), and Aer Lingus (EI).
Long-haul routes include Dubai (DXB), Doha (DOH), Tokyo (HND, NRT), Hong Kong (HKG), Seoul (ICN), Singapore (SIN), and Sydney (SYD). Airlines serving these routes include Emirates (EK), Qatar Airways (QR), Japan Airlines (JL), All Nippon Airways (NH), Cathay Pacific (CX), Korean Air (KE), Singapore Airlines (SQ), and Qantas (QF).
Latin American and Caribbean routes include Mexico City (MEX), Cancún (CUN), São Paulo (GRU), Buenos Aires (EZE), Bogotá (BOG), Kingston (KIN), and Santo Domingo (SDQ). Airlines serving these routes include Aeroméxico (AM), LATAM Airlines (LA), Avianca (AV), Copa Airlines (CM), Caribbean Airlines (BW), and JetBlue (B6).
The airport connects to over 100 international and 80 domestic destinations across Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Oceania, operated by more than 70 airlines.
Terminals
John F. Kennedy International Airport operates six passenger terminals — Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 4, Terminal 5, Terminal 7, and Terminal 8 — connected by the AirTrain JFK, an automated people mover that runs 24 hours a day.
Terminal 1 is used by many international carriers, including Air France (AF), Japan Airlines (JL), Korean Air (KE), and Lufthansa (LH). It has 11 gates and features a large duty-free area and multiple lounges.
Terminal 2 (Delta Air Lines) is used primarily by Delta Air Lines (DL) for domestic and some international flights. It has 11 gates. Terminal 2 is scheduled for demolition as part of the airport’s transformation programme, with operations moving to the new Terminal 6.
Terminal 4 is one of the largest terminals at JFK and serves a mix of international and domestic carriers, including Delta Air Lines (DL), Emirates (EK), Singapore Airlines (SQ), and KLM (KL). It has 38 gates and features a large duty-free area, multiple lounges (including the Delta Sky Club and the Centurion Lounge), and a wide range of dining and shopping options.
Terminal 5 (JetBlue) is the main terminal for JetBlue Airways (B6) and features 29 gates. It also serves some international carriers. The terminal includes a large food court, multiple lounges, and a rooftop terrace with views of the Manhattan skyline.
Terminal 7 is used by a mix of international carriers, including British Airways (BA), United Airlines (UA), and several others. It has 12 gates. Terminal 7 is scheduled for demolition, with operations moving to the new Terminal 6.
Terminal 8 (American Airlines) is the largest terminal at JFK and is the main hub for American Airlines (AA) and its oneworld partners, including British Airways (BA), Cathay Pacific (CX), and Qantas (QF). It has 29 gates and was expanded in 2022 with the addition of new gates and lounges.
The AirTrain JFK connects all terminals and also provides access to the New York City Subway (Howard Beach and Sutphin Boulevard–Archer Avenue stations) and the Long Island Rail Road (Jamaica Station). The AirTrain runs 24 hours a day and costs $8.50 per ride (free between terminals).
The minimum connection time at JFK is 60–90 minutes for domestic-to-domestic transfers, 90–120 minutes for domestic-to-international transfers, and 90–120 minutes for international-to-international transfers.
| Terminal | Purpose | Airlines |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 1 | International carriers | Air France (AF), Japan Airlines (JL), Korean Air (KE), Lufthansa (LH), Air China (CA) |
| Terminal 4 | International & domestic (Delta hub) | Delta Air Lines (DL), Emirates (EK), Singapore Airlines (SQ), KLM (KL) |
| Terminal 5 | JetBlue hub & select international | JetBlue (B6), select international carriers |
| Terminal 8 | American Airlines hub & oneworld | American Airlines (AA), British Airways (BA), Cathay Pacific (CX), Qantas (QF), Iberia (IB) |
Transportation
John F. Kennedy International Airport is well connected to Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the surrounding region through several transport options. The airport is located about 21 km southeast of Lower Manhattan.
AirTrain JFK
The AirTrain JFK connects all passenger terminals and provides access to the New York City Subway and the Long Island Rail Road. The AirTrain runs 24 hours a day. Rides between terminals are free. To exit the airport, passengers must pay $8.50 (via OMNY or MetroCard). The AirTrain connects to the E, J, and Z subway lines at Sutphin Boulevard–Archer Avenue and to the A subway line at Howard Beach. It also connects to the Long Island Rail Road at Jamaica Station, offering a faster connection to Penn Station.
Subway
From the AirTrain stations, passengers can transfer to the New York City Subway. The E, J, and Z lines connect to Sutphin Boulevard–Archer Avenue, and the A line connects to Howard Beach. A single subway ride costs $2.90. The journey to Midtown Manhattan takes 50–75 minutes.
Long Island Rail Road (LIRR)
The LIRR connects Jamaica Station to Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan in about 20 minutes. A single ticket costs $5.00–10.75 depending on the time of day. Combined with the AirTrain, this is the fastest public transport option to Manhattan.
Taxi
Official yellow taxis are available 24/7 at designated taxi stands outside each terminal. A flat-rate fare of $70 (plus tolls and surcharge) applies to Manhattan. The journey takes 45–90 minutes depending on traffic. Only licensed taxis should be used.
Ride-hailing
Uber and Lyft operate at JFK. Pick-up zones are clearly marked outside each terminal. Prices are usually similar to or slightly higher than taxis, with fares to Manhattan typically $70–100.
Private Transfer
Book a driver in advance for a stress-free arrival. Prices start from $80 for a sedan, including meet & greet in the arrivals hall. Popular with families and business travellers.
Car Rental
Major international and local car rental companies operate at JFK, including Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Budget, Alamo, and National. Pickup is at the Rental Car Center, accessible via the AirTrain from all terminals.
Car Rental at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Compare live rates from Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Budget, Alamo, and National. Pickup is at the Rental Car Center, accessible via the AirTrain from all terminals. Free cancellation on most bookings.
🚗 Search available cars →Hotels Near John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Choose from 30+ hotels near John F. Kennedy International Airport — from budget options like the Hampton Inn NY-JFK and Comfort Inn JFK to premium brands like the TWA Hotel (located inside the iconic TWA Flight Center) and the Crowne Plaza JFK Airport. Free airport shuttle available at most properties.
🏨 See nearby hotels →John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Map & Layout
Interactive map showing terminals, parking, taxi stands, ride-hailing pickup zones, and nearby landmarks.