New York JFK Airport
JFK has five terminals: 1, 4, 5, 7 and 8, each with its own airlines. The AirTrain links the terminals, the parking lots, the hotel shuttle area, the rental car centre and the public transportation. Taxis outside each terminal have regulated flat-rate fares to Manhattan. Keep your travel documents in your carry-on bag.
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Updated October 2026
The terminals at New York JFK Airport
JFK has five passenger terminals, and each one has its own airlines:
- Terminal 1 serves Air France, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss and Korean Air.
- Terminal 4 hosts Delta, Avianca, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates and LATAM, among others.
- Terminal 5 hosts JetBlue, Cape Air and Sun Country Airlines.
- Terminal 7 hosts Frontier, Aer Lingus, All Nippon, Air Canada and Norse, among others.
- Terminal 8 hosts American Airlines, British Airways, Alaska Airlines, Qatar and Iberia, among others.
Getting to and from New York JFK Airport
The AirTrain connects passengers to the terminals, the airport parking lots, the hotel shuttle area, the rental car center and the public transportation.
Licensed taxis are available outside each terminal, and the flat-rate fares to Manhattan and other destinations are regulated. Most rental car companies are at Federal Circle, reachable by AirTrain, and some operate from off-airport locations whose shuttles also pick up there.
What happens when you arrive at JFK
Keep your passport and any form you filled in on the plane with you the whole way, from the aircraft door to the exit.
The airport publishes the current security wait times for each terminal, which is worth a look before you leave for the airport. If you are changing planes, the connections guide covers how much time the connection needs.
New York JFK Airport with children
JFK offers accessibility features and services designed to make every part of the trip comfortable, and for help navigating between gates, terminals, security or customs you can arrange support in advance through your airline.
Leave the passports and the children's documents in your carry-on bag, not in checked luggage, so you have them at passport control. Allow extra time for the walk between concourses, and the AirTrain makes the longer distances easier with a stroller.
Plan your stop at New York JFK Airport
Check with the airline and the airport's own site before you travel: the terminals, the airlines and the arrival procedures change, and construction at JFK is causing delays for every drop-off option. And check with the embassy or consulate about the documents your family needs for the entry rules of every country on your route.
Sources
- Official page of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on the terminals at JFK: Terminal 1 serves Air France, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss and Korean Air; Terminal 4 hosts Delta, Avianca, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates and LATAM; Terminal 5 hosts JetBlue, Cape Air and Sun Country; Terminal 7 hosts Frontier, Aer Lingus, All Nippon and Air Canada; Terminal 8 hosts American Airlines, British Airways, Alaska Airlines, Qatar and Iberia. It also describes the AirTrain. — jfkairport.com (checked 21 October 2026)
- Official transportation page of the same authority: licensed taxis outside each terminal with regulated flat-rate fares to Manhattan, ride app pick-up areas marked with signs, most rental car companies at Federal Circle reachable by AirTrain, authorised shuttle and van services, and the AirTrain linking the terminals, the parking lots, the hotel shuttle area, the rental car centre and public transportation. — jfkairport.com (checked 21 October 2026)
Frequently asked questions
How many terminals does New York JFK Airport have?
Five passenger terminals: 1, 4, 5, 7 and 8, each with its own airlines.
Which airlines fly from Terminal 4 at JFK?
Many airlines operate out of Terminal 4, including Delta, Avianca, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates and LATAM.
What is the AirTrain at JFK?
It connects passengers to the terminals, the airport parking lots, the hotel shuttle area, the rental car center and the public transportation.
How do I get from JFK to Manhattan?
Licensed taxis are available outside each terminal, and the flat-rate fares to Manhattan and other destinations are regulated. The AirTrain also reaches the public transportation and the rental car center.
What do I do first when I land at JFK?
Keep your passport and any form you filled in on the plane with you the whole way, from the aircraft door to the exit, and leave the children's documents in your carry-on bag.