John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Guide: Terminals, Lounges & Transportation

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is the premier gateway for foreign travel to New York City and among the top airports on the world stage. John F. Kennedy International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the United States, processing about 63 million passengers in 2025. JFK is the leading airport in international travel in the country and is an absolutely critical component in the global travel network and the local economy. In 2025, JFK officially took the mantle of being the busiest airport in the New York metropolitan area, beating out Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and serving more than sixty million passengers. JFK Airport is at the center of a transformation of historic proportions and is set to forever change the travel experience for millions of travelers to New York City.

What is John F. Kennedy International Airport?

Familiar as JFK, John F. Kennedy International Airport is the largest and busiest of the three major airports that serve the New York Metropolitan Area, along with LaGuardia and Newark Liberty. This airport is located in the borough of Queens and is 16 miles away from the Manhattan area and acts as an important junction point for passengers traveling both domestically and internationally.

It expanded five times from 1,100 acres (445 hectares) to 4,930 acres (1,995 hectares) when the airport was being designed initially and is considered one of the largest airports among others in the northeastern region of the country. It is also one of the busiest international airports and ranks third as the largest freight gateway in terms of shipment value in the United States.

Key Identifiers

History of JFK

JFK's history started not with airplanes, but with a golf course. John F. Kennedy International Airport was at first known as Idlewild Airport due to the Idlewild Beach Golf Course, whose land was used for building this airport. The airport was built to reduce traffic at LaGuardia Field, established in 1939.

Construction was full of problems. By the end of November, a new schedule placed the opening of the airport in December 1945; however, there was a lot of money shortage, conflicts with unions, disputes about the rent paid by airlines, difficulties with roads in Long Island, and much more. In August 1946, construction was not over. The name Idlewild was the popular name of the airport opened on July 1, 1948, since it was constructed on the land of a golf course and luxury accommodations with that name.

The airport soon became one of the most successful airports in international transportation. Idlewild Airport already in 1954 became the airport with the biggest number of international flights and a huge number of passengers, surpassing even Heathrow Airport in London.

Terminals Guide

As opposed to airports with only one terminal, JFK Airport has multiple individual terminal buildings, organized in a circle around an inner loop. There are five operating terminals with over 130 gates, and a $19 billion rebuilding project is currently underway. There are five numbered terminals at JFK Airport: Terminal 1, Terminal 4, Terminal 5, Terminal 7, and Terminal 8, leaving out Terminal 3 and Terminal 6, demolished in 2011 and 2013, respectively, after Terminal 5 expansion, and Terminal 2, shut down in January 2023.

Moving Between Terminals

Whereas DEN's inter-terminal transfer train is underground, the terminals at JFK are independent structures that need the AirTrain to connect them. The AirTrain ride between the terminals is free, and operates 24 hours. The AirTrain trains run every 7-12 minutes, and there are 3 lines available: gold, red, and green. The red line has its origin and destination station in Jamaica, the green line has its origin and destination station in Howard Beach, while the gold line runs only between the terminals of JFK Airport.

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Airport Lounges

The lounge facilities at JFK are among the most extensive networks in the United States airports. JFK is home to over 25 airport lounges, with some being day-use lounges (for a fee).

Terminal 4

There are some of the finest lounges at Terminal 4, including the American Express Centurion Lounge, the new Capital One Lounge, and the Delta Sky Club.

Terminal 5

Terminal 8

Arrival and Departure from JFK Airport

• AirTrain JFK: If you exit at Jamaica Station and Howard Beach Station, the fare is just $8.75. You can take Long Island Rail Road from Jamaica Station to get quickly into Manhattan, while connections from both Jamaica Station and Howard Beach stations go to the NYC subway system.

• Ridesharing and Taxi: You will find ridesharing and taxi services at pickup points provided by each terminal, and it takes about 30 minutes to arrive in Manhattan depending on traffic conditions and the terminal you depart from.

• Rental Car: Facilities of rental car services can be reached through the AirTrain that passes through central terminals of the airport before reaching off-airport facilities.

• Parking: JFK currently offers 5 open parking lots, but 3 of them are located outside the terminals. Blue, red, and yellow parking lots are used for short-term parking since green and orange parking lots are being renovated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques 1: What is the code of John F. Kennedy International Airport?

Ans: The IATA code for JFK is JFK, while the ICAO code is KJFK.

Ques 2: What is the distance between JFK and Manhattan?

Ans: JFK Airport is located 16 miles away from Midtown Manhattan; there are direct public transportation services including the AirTrain, subway, and LIRR to get there.

Ques 3: What airlines operate out of JFK Airport as hubs or bases?

Ans: JFK Airport is the hub for American Airlines and Delta Air Lines as well as the operating base of JetBlue.

Ques 4: Why is the former name of JFK Idlewild Airport?

Ans: The former Idlewild Airport received its new name John F. Kennedy International Airport on December 24, 1963, exactly one month and two days after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Ques 5: Is there a free train inside JFK?

Ans: Yes. The terminals at JFK are individual buildings; the AirTrain connects all of them and is free for inter-terminal travel 24/7.

Ques 6: How many terminals are there at JFK?

Ans: There are five terminals at JFK: 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8; the construction of a new Terminal 6 is underway.

Ques 7: How many passengers does JFK serve annually? 

Ans: JFK Airport is one of the busiest in the United States and catered to more than 63 million passengers in 2025.