--- iata: JFK name: John F. Kennedy International Airport city: New York country: United States lastUpdated: '2026-09-06' officialWebsite: 'https://www.jfkairport.com/' sources: - 'https://www.jfkairport.com/' - 'https://www.jfkairport.com/explore-jfk/terminals' - 'https://www.jfkairport.com/transportation/public-transport' - 'https://www.jfkairport.com/transportation/airtrain' - >- https://www.prioritypass.com/en-GB/lounges/united-states-of-america/john-f-kennedy-international - 'https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/jfk-lounges-guide' - 'https://capitalonetravel.com/airport-lounges/airports/?airportId=JFK' quickFacts: - >- 62.6 million passengers in 2025; active terminals 1, 4, 5, 8 (T7 winding down as Terminal 6 opens in phases through 2026) - 'Delta (T4), JetBlue (T5), American (T8) are major carriers' - >- AirTrain free between terminals; $8.75 to Jamaica/Howard Beach (+ $3 subway = $11.75 to Manhattan) - TSA PreCheck and Clear available at most terminals - Ongoing $19B redevelopment with roadway changes - Primary NYC international gateway with 70+ airlines bentoTips: - label: Timing title: Arrive 3 hours early for international detail: TSA PreCheck cuts waits to under 10 min at most checkpoints. summary: Security waits average 20-30 min but spike in T4/T5 afternoons. category: timing - label: Terminal title: Use AirTrain for free terminal hops detail: >- Inter-terminal AirTrain hops take 5-15 min; do not try to walk between terminals. summary: AirTrain runs 24/7 between all terminals with no fare inside the airport. category: terminal - label: Food title: Grab Shake Shack or Blue Bottle before security detail: T4 has the widest variety including international chains. summary: Landside options in T4 and T5 beat airside crowds for quick meals. category: food - label: Status title: Check real-time security on jfkairport.com detail: App or site updates every few minutes; PreCheck lines are shortest. summary: T4 often 20-30 min; verify terminal during T6 opening. category: status lounges: - name: Capital One Lounge hours: 24 hours access: - Venture X complimentary - Venture/Spark $45/visit - Day pass $90 bestFor: - Work - Long layovers summary: >- Spacious 24/7 Terminal 4 option known for food and showers; Priority Pass is not accepted. Guest fees apply under Capital One's 2026 lounge policy. verdict: worth-it terminal: Terminal 4 amenities: - Showers - Quiet zone - Buffet - Work areas - name: Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club hours: '05:00-23:00' access: - Chase Sapphire Reserve / eligible Chase cards - Day pass ~$100 (no Priority Pass/LoungeKey) bestFor: - Work - Families summary: >- High-quality food and space; Priority Pass/LoungeKey no longer accepted (ended 15 Aug 2026). Chase cardholders keep access; connections up to 5 hours. verdict: worth-it terminal: Terminal 4 amenities: - Buffet - Bar - Showers - name: Air France Lounge hours: '07:00-21:00' access: - Priority Pass - Air France Business/First bestFor: - Long layovers summary: >- Solid Priority Pass / SkyTeam option in Terminal 1; can get crowded before evening banks—not a Star Alliance lounge. verdict: depends terminal: Terminal 1 amenities: - Buffet - Showers - name: Centurion Lounge hours: Varies (typically early morning to late evening) access: - Amex Platinum / Centurion bestFor: - Amex cardholders - Food summary: >- Strong Terminal 4 Amex lounge; same-day T4 boarding pass required and capacity controls are common—use the Amex app waitlist. verdict: worth-it terminal: Terminal 4 amenities: - Premium dining - Showers - Quiet zones - name: Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse hours: '05:00-22:30' access: - Priority Pass - Virgin Atlantic premium cabin / status bestFor: - Long layovers - Food summary: >- Priority Pass-friendly Terminal 4 clubhouse with strong food and design; confirm live access rules in the Priority Pass app before clearing security. verdict: worth-it terminal: Terminal 4 amenities: - Buffet - Bar - Showers - name: American Airlines Admirals Club hours: '04:15-23:30' access: - AA elite - oneworld Sapphire/Emerald - Day pass bestFor: - Work summary: Reliable for AA flyers; day passes available but limited PP access. verdict: depends terminal: Terminal 8 amenities: - Showers - Kids room - Wi-Fi waterOptions: - kind: purchase name: Hudson News zone: landside price: $2.50 for 500ml summary: Cheapest reliable bottle option before security in busy T4. location: Landside near check-in counters E/F terminal: Terminal 4 isBestValue: true - kind: refill name: Water refill station zone: airside summary: Free filtered water; best refill spot for reusable bottles post-security. location: Airside near Gate B32 next to Capital One Lounge terminal: Terminal 4 isBestQuality: true - kind: free name: Terminal water fountains zone: airside summary: Standard free fountains; reliable but basic quality. location: Airside opposite JetBlue gates near Starbucks terminal: Terminal 5 airportistScore: 7.2 slug: jfk region: North America --- > Markdown for [/airports/jfk](/airports/jfk). Append `.md` to any page URL (or send `Accept: text/markdown`) for an agent-readable copy. - [HTML page](/airports/jfk) - [Lounge directory](/airports/jfk/lounges.md) - [Sitemap](/sitemap.md) # John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) New York, United States · North America Solid major hub with improving lounges and food but suffers from terminal sprawl and variable security waits. ## Airportist Score **7.2 / 10** - Comfort: 7.0 - Navigation: 6.8 - Food: 7.5 - Transport: 7.8 - Disruption resilience: 7.0 ## At a glance - Passengers: 62M - Terminals: 5 active terminals - Typical security: 22 min - On-time: 73% - Disruption: normal ## Best for - International connections - Lounge variety - Public transit access - Food options ## Watch out for - Terminal sprawl requiring AirTrain - T7 winding down / T6 phased opening — confirm terminal within 24h - Afternoon security peaks in T4/T5 - Roadway construction delays - Crowded curbside pickup ## More intel - [Lounge directory](/airports/jfk/lounges.md) (free) - [Getting there](/airports/jfk/getting-there.md) (free) - [Amenities](/airports/jfk/amenities.md) - [Traveler tips](/airports/jfk/tips.md) - [Water](/airports/jfk/water.md) - [Full guide](/airports/jfk/guide.md) - [Disruptions](/airports/jfk/disruptions.md) - [Reviews](/airports/jfk/reviews.md)