New York's JFK Airport
Your complete guide to making the most of a stopover at John F. Kennedy International — from quick layovers to a full day exploring the city.
Airport Overview
Know Before You Land
JFK is one of the world's most storied airports — massive, complex, and full of character. The key is knowing your terminal and building in time for the AirTrain connections.
IATA Code
JFK — Queens, New York
Terminals
T1, T2, T4, T5, T7, T8
Currency
USD — ATMs in all terminals
Free WiFi
PANYNJ-WiFi, unlimited
US Customs
CBP at all international arrivals
Showers
Available in select lounges
Terminal Map & Transit
Finding Your Way Around
JFK's terminals are spread across a 5-mile loop served by the free AirTrain. Transfers between terminals require riding the AirTrain — allow 20–30 minutes minimum for connections.
Terminal 1
Air France, JAL, Korean Air, Lufthansa. International hub — excellent dining and duty-free.
Terminal 2
Delta regional and some domestic operations. Compact and efficient.
Terminal 4
Delta's main hub + many international carriers. The largest and most feature-rich terminal — great food options.
Terminal 5
JetBlue's home — highly rated for design, food, and the Mint lounge experience.
Terminal 7
British Airways and partner airlines. Direct flights to London and Europe.
Terminal 8
American Airlines + Cathay Pacific. Good connections to Asia and major US hubs.
🚝 The AirTrain — Free Between Terminals
The AirTrain runs 24/7 and connects all terminals in a continuous loop. It's free between terminals — only costs $8.50 when you exit to Jamaica or Howard Beach subway stations. Runs every 4–8 minutes. Allow time: the loop is about 20 minutes end to end.
Airport Lounges
Where to Decompress
JFK punches above its weight in lounge quality, especially with the newer openings in T4 and T5. Access via airline status, credit card benefits, or day passes.
Delta Sky Club
Terminal 4Two locations in T4. Premium food, cocktails, and showers. Accessible with Delta status, Amex Platinum/Reserve, or day pass ($50).
JetBlue Mint Lounge
Terminal 5Exclusive to Mint business class passengers. Outstanding design and food — a genuine NYC vibe with exposed brick and excellent coffee.
British Airways Galleries Lounge
Terminal 7Business and First class lounge. Comfortable seating, hot food, and full bar. A quiet respite before transatlantic flights.
American Admirals Club
Terminal 8American's flagship lounge. Access with AA status, credit card membership, or day pass. Shower suites available for long layovers.
Lufthansa Business Lounge
Terminal 1Excellent European-style lounge with hot meals and cold cuts. Star Alliance partner access applies for qualifying flights.
Plaza Premium Lounge
Terminal 4Pay-per-use lounge open to all passengers. Accessible via Priority Pass and other card benefits. Solid food and quiet seating.
Dining & Shopping
Eating Well Before You Fly
Terminal 4 and T5 lead the field for food. Many options are post-security; a few landside options near check-in are available for early arrivals.
Deep Blue Sushi (T4)
Rotating belt sushi with fresh New York rolls. A JFK classic for a pre-flight treat.
Shake Shack (T4, T5)
The NYC original, now in the airport. ShackBurger and crinkle fries — enough said.
Irving Farm Coffee (T5)
Serious New York specialty coffee. Far better than the standard airport chain options.
Two Boots Pizza (T5)
Louisiana-meets-New York slices. A beloved NYC brand doing what it does best.
Crust (T1)
Good salads and sandwiches for international terminal arrivals. Open long hours.
Duty-Free (T1, T4, T8)
Standard DFS duty-free plus InMotion and Hudson News across all terminals.
Getting Into NYC
The City Is 45 Minutes Away
One of JFK's greatest assets is access to New York City. Even a 4-hour layover (with recheck-in and TSA time factored) might allow a quick dash to Manhattan — if you're traveling light and know your route.
How Long Do You Need for a NYC Trip?
Under 3 hours: Stay airside. Not enough time to safely exit, see anything, and return for security.
3–5 hours: Possible dash to Long Island City or Astoria (Queens) — no Manhattan.
6+ hours: Manhattan is viable via LIRR. Allow 2 hours travel each way + security/customs buffer.
Planning a stopover in Europe first? Check our guides for Paris CDG, Zurich, or Munich.
Layover Tips
Make Your Stopover Count
JFK rewards the prepared traveler. These tips come from people who've connected here more times than they can count.
Budget 90 min for US Customs
International arrivals can face long CBP lines, especially on busy afternoons. Add serious buffer time for your connection.
Terminal transfers eat time
The AirTrain loop isn't fast. If you're connecting between T1 and T5, plan for 30–45 minutes minimum including walk time.
T5 is the most pleasant to wait in
JetBlue's terminal has the best architecture, food, and vibe. If you have flexibility, connections through T5 feel least stressful.
Use TSA PreCheck / Global Entry
Global Entry costs $100, saves hours. At JFK, domestic security lines can be brutal — PreCheck is worth every cent.
Quiet spots are in the gates
The main concourses are noisy. Walk toward your gate's far end — there are almost always quieter seating pockets.
Overnight layover? Book near JFK
Jamaica or Howard Beach hotels are often much cheaper than on-airport options. The AirTrain gets you back in 10 minutes.
More Airport Guides
Also flying through Asia or the Pacific? Read our guides for Seoul Incheon, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Sydney Kingsford Smith, or Istanbul Airport.
North America: compare JFK's experience with Los Angeles LAX and Toronto Pearson.
Ready for Your JFK Layover?
Every stopover is a chance to pause, eat something good, and arrive refreshed. Easy Layover has guides for every major hub — wherever your connection lands.