Currently, John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) has 5 Terminals: 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8. These complexes are arranged in a U-shaped loop around the airport’s central access roads. This arrangement makes it easier for flyers to travel to different terminal areas. Initially, JFK Airport had 10 terminals. But several older terminals, including 2, 3, and 6, were demolished/replaced. As a result, Terminal 4 and Terminal 8 are the airport’s largest buildings. Both of them handle a major share of international/domestic passenger traffic.

Terminals at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
After numerous renovations, JFK Airport operates 5 passenger terminals. All of these complexes serve different domestic/international airlines. Additionally, they house multiple facilities for both arriving and departing passengers.
Terminal 1
One of the oldest buildings, Terminal 1 at DFW, was constructed in 1998. It facilitates international arrivals and the boarding processes as well. Besides, various other amenities are also available at this terminal.
- Airlines: More than 20 carriers operate from this terminal. These mainly include the SkyTeam, Star Alliance, and Oneworld airlines.
- Shops: This terminal houses a variety of shops ranging from gift stores and boutiques to duty-free stores. One can find both travel essentials and luxury shops here.
- Restaurants: Terminal 1 features fast food centers, multi-cuisine restaurants, and cafes. One can also get bar access at this terminal.
- Lounges: This terminal hosts both airline-specific and general lounges. One must register in advance to access these lounges.
- Levels and Gates: There are a total of 11 gates at Terminal 1, each facilitating a different procedure. Additionally, there are 4 levels at this complex.
- Financial Services: ICE provides currency exchange services at JFK Terminal 1. Additionally, ATMs are also available here.
- Baggage and Check-In: Check-in counters, located on Level 3, facilitate the pre-boarding processes and TSA checks. Also, several carousels are made available for international luggage collection.
- Parking: Parking at this terminal is currently closed. Terminal 1 passengers can use the spaces available at Terminal 8 to halt their vehicles.
- Ground Transportation: One can hire taxis and rental car services to travel to and from this complex. The fee charged depends on the distance to be covered.
Terminal 4
Currently having 2 concourses, JFK Terminal 4 is under the control of a foreign airport operator. It covers an area of about 1.5 million square feet and has been consistently expanding. The features available here include:
- Airlines: Terminal 4 handles the arrivals and departures of about 19 airlines. Apart from being the main hub of Delta Airlines, it also manages several SkyTeam carriers as well.
- Restaurants: One can mainly find breweries and contemporary restaurants at Terminal 4. The timings of these restaurants vary with the day of the week.
- Lounges: Clubhouses and lounges are common facilities at this terminal. VIP fliers can access airline-specific lounges without prior booking.
- Levels and Gates: All the operations at this terminal take place via 4 levels and numerous gates across Concourses A and B.
- Finance: CXI currency exchange services are available here. Travelex ATM centers are also available.
- Parking: The blue lot offers parking at Terminal 4. The fee is charged on an hourly basis, and long-term parking is available for 24 hours.
- Ground Transportation: One can access taxis, rental cars, and other means of public transportation to/from this terminal. Private vehicles can also be used.
- Smoking Areas: There are two smoking areas in this terminal near the curbside area. Fliers should not smoke anywhere outside these areas.
- Shops: This terminal is famous for its duty-free stores at JFK Airport and luxury collectibles. One can find Hudson News stores here as well.
Terminal 5
Since 2008, JFK Terminal 5 has been functioning as an operating base for JetBlue. Along with it, this complex also houses numerous amenities for passengers, including specific parking lots.
- Airlines: 3 airlines are flying in/out of Terminal 5. For all these airlines at JFK Terminal 5, specific procedures are conducted frequently on different levels.
- Shops: Bookstores, travel essentials, duty-free centers, boutiques, garment and make-up stores are open at the complex.
- Restaurants: Flyers can get quick-bite options at the various fast-food centers and cafes available here.
- Lounges: Only BlueHouse Lounge is present at Terminal 5. Contact the airport authorities for details about the registration process.
- Levels and Gates: This building currently has 29 gates, most of which are present at Level 2.
- Finance: The complex is equipped with Travelex ATMs. For currency exchange services, one might need to visit the other terminals.
- Parking: The yellow lot provides parking spots for passengers visiting this terminal. One can pre-book the spots by paying the necessary charges.
- Ground Transportation: Taxi pick-up and rental hire are available near the arrivals area of Terminal 5. If fliers wish to use private vehicles, they can directly head towards the exit.
- Smoking Areas: A total of 3 smoking areas are offered at this terminal. These are present near the curbside area.
- Baggage and Check-In: Level 3 of the terminal provides the check-in services, while the JFK Airport baggage claim is facilitated at Level 1.
Terminal 7
Originally operated by British Airways, Terminal 7 at John F. Kennedy International Airport came into existence in 1970. Since then, it has undergone several renovations to accommodate more passengers.
- Airlines: Terminal 7 facilitates the boarding and arrival of Oneworld carriers. It manages around 10 of these airlines.
- Shops: Electronics and duty-free stores are present here. Additionally, Terminal 7 also offers duty-free goods at various locations throughout.
- Restaurants: Commonly, fast-food courts and bars are available here. Multi-cuisine restaurants are relatively smaller in number.
- Lounges: The complex hosts 2 lounges, both airline-specific and general. Free Wi-Fi, food and beverages, and other relaxation services are provided at these facilities.
- Levels and Gates: Across 4 levels, the building has around 12 gates, mainly present at Level 3.
- Finance: Terminal 7 provides CXI currency exchange services. Currently, about 5 ATMa are present here.
- Parking: The Orange lot offers access to parking at this complex. However, the pre-booking option is limited here.
- Ground Transportation: One can book both private and public transport, such as cars, taxis, and shuttles, from the arrival section of this terminal.
Terminal 8
Terminal 8 at JFK Airport is one of the biggest facilities at the airfield. Annually, over 12 million passengers arrive/depart through this building.
- Airlines: Terminal 8 manages 12 carriers, belonging to Oneworld and non-alliance.
- Shops: Terminal 8 offers several convenience, fashion, and accessory outlets.
- Restaurants: Bars and steakhouses are quite common at this complex. Fast-food centers and snack stores are also available as a quick-bite option.
- Lounges: 6 lounges/rest areas are available near different gates of the terminal.
- Levels and Gates: Comprising 36 gates in 2 Concourses B and C, this terminal has a total of 5 levels.
- Parking: The Red Lot parking space is for Terminal 8 passengers. To check the availability of the spaces, refer to the airport’s official site.
- Smoking: One designated smoking area is provided at Terminal 8 Level 3.
Finally, terminals at John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) are designed to handle the flights of numerous airlines. Because of this infrastructure, a large number of passengers travel through these complexes daily. Additionally, the terminal staff and airline representatives support them to maintain safe and timely services for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many terminals does John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) have?
Presently, JFK Airport has 5 terminals in operation.
How to get between terminals at JFK Airport?
One can use the airport shuttle services to get between all terminals at JFK Airport.
Can you walk between terminals at John F. Kennedy International Airport?
Although it is possible to walk between JFK Airport terminals, it is not recommended. One can instead use the airport shuttles.
What are the departure terminals at JFK Airport?
All the terminals at JFK Airport undertake departures as well as arrivals.
What facilities are available at the terminals of John F. Kennedy International Airport?
Numerous facilities like shops, restaurants, and lounge access are available at the John F. Kennedy International Airport terminals.