New York City is not just a major U.S. landmark but a global icon. Its airport, John F. Kennedy International, shares the same level of fame. If you're soon arriving in the capital of the United States, you’ll want to explore these useful details about JFK Airport, as presented in the article by Mytour.
Essential Information About John F. Kennedy International Airport
John F. Kennedy International Airport, also known as Kennedy Airport, New York-JFK, or simply JFK, is the primary international airport serving New York. It is located in the borough of Queens, New York, about 30 kilometers southeast of Midtown Manhattan.
The airport opened in 1948 under the name New York International Airport, or Idlewild Airport. It was not until 1963 that it was renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport in honor of the 35th President of the United States.

John F. Kennedy International Airport is the main international gateway to New York City.
Explore the Terminals of John F. Kennedy Airport
Currently, John F. Kennedy Airport boasts a total of 6 passenger terminals.
Terminal 1
Terminal 1, which opened in 1998, is equipped to handle Airbus A380 aircraft and is capable of accommodating extremely large planes. It currently serves flights from airlines including Air France, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, and Lufthansa.
Terminal 1 has 11 gates (1-11) and consists of several levels: the Arrivals Level, Mezzanine Level, Departure Level, and Concourse Level.

Inside the terminals of JFK Airport
Terminal 2
Only Delta Air Lines operates in this terminal, handling domestic flights. International flights for the airline are managed in Terminal 4.
The terminal building consists of two levels:
- Arrivals Level: Passengers can access ground transportation options (taxis, bus stations, car rental offices, parking lots), the airport information desk, baggage claim areas, and more.
- Departure Level: This level features check-in counters, security checkpoints, and 11 gates for boarding, from C60 to C70.
Terminal 4
Terminal 4 is the international terminal at John F. Kennedy Airport. It serves as the primary gateway for international travelers arriving at the airport.
Terminal 4 has 38 gates, divided into two concourses: A and B.
- Concourse A: Gates A3 - A5.
- Concourse B: Gates B20, B22-B38, B41.
The terminal building consists of three levels: the Arrivals Level, Departure Level, and Concourse Level.
Terminal 5
Terminal 5 primarily serves flights from JetBlue Airways, although several other airlines also operate from this terminal.
Terminal 5 features gates 1-31 and is divided into three areas: the Arrivals Area, the Skywalk Area, and the Departure Area.
Terminal 7
Terminal 7 currently handles flights from British Airways. The terminal consists of the Arrivals Level, Departure Level, and Concourse Level.
Terminal 7 has gates 1-12, all located on the Concourse Level.
Terminal 8
Terminal 8 is the largest passenger terminal at JFK Airport, capable of handling nearly 13 million passengers annually. It features dozens of retail and food outlets, more than 80 ticket counters, over 40 self-service kiosks, 10 security checkpoints, and a U.S. Customs facility.
Terminal 8 has two concourses with a total of 29 gates: Concourse B has gates 1-8, 10, 12, 14, and 16, while Concourse C has gates 31-47.
The terminal consists of two levels: the Arrivals Level and the Departure Level.
Currently, Terminal 8 serves flights from several airlines, with American Airlines being the primary carrier.

Terminal 8 is the largest passenger terminal at JFK Airport
How to travel between JFK Airport terminals?
To move between terminals at the airport, passengers can use AirTrain, an elevated rail system. AirTrain connects all terminals, parking areas, Long Island Rail Road, and New York City subway lines in Queens.
AirTrain operates 24/7, is affordable, easy to use, and features a design suitable for wheelchair passengers.
There are three AirTrain lines: the Howard Beach line, the Jamaica Station line, and the All Terminals line.
Passengers can use the AirTrain for free within the airport area; however, a fee applies when entering or exiting at stations outside the airport.
Transportation options between JFK Airport and downtown
Bus Services
From the airport, you can choose from three bus routes to reach downtown New York and surrounding areas. These buses stop near Terminal 5. Passengers can get to the bus station by using the free AirTrain. The bus fare is approximately $2.50.
Airport Shuttle
Go Airlink offers airport shuttle services between JFK Airport and downtown New York. This service operates 24/7.
NYC Express Bus
NYC Airporter provides an express bus service from JFK Airport to Grand Central Station (41st Street between Lexington Avenue and 3rd Avenue), Penn Station (33rd Street between 6th and 7th Avenue, next to Sbarro’s Pizzeria), and the Bus Terminal (42nd Street between 8th and 9th Avenue).
The bus offers free Wi-Fi. You can catch the bus from any terminal.
Operating hours: 5:30 AM - 11:30 PM, with buses departing every 20-30 minutes. Travel time: Approximately 90 minutes.
Ticket prices: $16 per person one way or $32 for a round trip. If booked online, the round trip fare is $30 per person.
Hotel Shuttle Services
Some hotels in the city center offer complimentary airport shuttle services for guests. Please contact the hotel where you booked your stay for more information about this shuttle service.
A few hotels offering airport shuttle services include: Best Western JFK Airport Hotel, Comfort Inn & Suites Ozone Park, Courtyard JFK International Airport, Crowne Plaza JFK Airport, and Days Inn JFK Airport.
In addition to these transport options, passengers can also choose to take a taxi, Amtrak Connections, or rent a car from companies such as Advantage, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Playless.

NYC Express Bus
JFK Airport Opening Hours
John F. Kennedy International Airport operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Please note that check-in times may vary depending on the airline's schedule. It is recommended to contact your airline to confirm the exact check-in time.
Hotels Near the Airport
There are no hotels located within the airport area or directly connected to the terminals. Therefore, if you wish to stay overnight, you can consider hotels near the airport:
- Hampton Inn: Just 5 minutes by car from the airport. It offers free airport shuttle service. Shuttles run every 30 minutes, 24 hours a day, providing direct access to the airport.
- Comfort Inn & Suites JFK Airport: Located 3 minutes by car from the airport. Free airport shuttle service is available.
- Days Inn & Suites Ozone Park JFK Airport: Just a 3-minute drive from the airport, this hotel offers free 24/7 round-trip airport shuttle service.
- Crowne Plaza JFK Airport Hotel New York City: Situated 4 minutes by car from the airport, it provides free 24/7 airport shuttle service.
- Holiday Inn Express New York JFK Airport Area: Located 5 minutes away by car, this hotel offers free 24/7 round-trip airport shuttle service.
- Fairfield Inn New York JFK Airport: Located just 3 minutes from the airport, this hotel offers free scheduled airport shuttle service. The shuttle also takes guests to the subway station and the Green Acres Mall shopping center.

Hampton Inn near JFK Airport
Facilities at John F. Kennedy International Airport
WiFi / Internet
WiFi is available for free at the airport for 30 minutes. Simply connect to the 'Boingo Hotspot' network. After the free usage period ends, you can pay to continue using the service.
ATM Machines
Location: ATMs are available at all airport terminals, both in the landside area and the departure lounge.
Currency Exchange
Location:
- Terminal 1: Landside area, west arrival hall; waiting area for boarding, lounge W, gates 1-3.
- Terminal 2: Waiting area for boarding, near gate 61.
- Terminal 4: Landside area, arrival hall; waiting area for boarding, gates B32, B22, A4, and retail shops East and West.
- Terminal 5: Waiting area for boarding, Marketplace.
- Terminal 7: Landside area, arrival hall; waiting area for boarding, near gates 1-2, and the dining area.
- Terminal 8: Landside area, arrival hall; waiting area for boarding, gates 4, 10, and the hallway leading to lounge C.
Baby Care Facilities
Baby care rooms are available in Terminal 4 (boarding area), Terminal 5 (gate 12), and Terminal 8 (gate 14).
Duty-Free Shopping
Duty-free shops are available in Terminals 4, 5, 7, and 8. Additionally, retail stores and newsstands can be found throughout the airport.
Food and Beverages
There are plenty of food and drink options available throughout the airport. However, only a few stores are open 24/7:
- Terminal 1: Dunkin Donuts (in the departure waiting area).
- Terminal 4: McDonald's (landsid area).
- Additionally, vending machines can be found in Terminal 4, East Arrival Hall; the East Retail Store; the departure area at Gate B23.

Dunkin Donuts is one of the 24/7 eateries available at JFK Airport.
Information Desks at John F. Kennedy Airport
Information desks can be found in the baggage claim area at all terminals.
JFK Airport Luggage Lockers and Storage Services
Location:
- Terminal 1: Arrival Hall (landside)
- Terminal 4: Arrival Hall (landside)
- Terminal 5: Arrival Hall (landside)
- Terminal 8: Arrival Hall (landside)
Fees: 4 USD (luggage up to 20 inches) - 11 USD (luggage between 27 - 32 inches). Operating hours: 7 AM - 11 PM.
Note: Bag drop-off is not available at night.
Luggage Wrapping
The airport provides luggage wrapping services at Terminal 5.
Medical Services
The medical center is located in building 22A. Passengers can take a free shuttle to this location from all terminals.
Pet Relief Area
Location:
- Terminal 1: Outside, at the arrival hall.
- Terminal 2: Outside, at the arrival hall (west end); Inside, near Gate C60 (boarding area)
- Terminal 4: Outside, at the arrival hall (east end); Inside, near Gate 31 (boarding area)
- Terminal 5: Outside, at the arrival hall (north end); Inside, near Gate 28 (boarding area)
- Terminal 7: Outside, at the arrival hall (west end); Inside, behind Hudson News at Gates 9-10 (boarding area)
- Terminal 8: Outside, at the departure hall; Inside, near Gate 38 (boarding area)
Smoking Area
Smoking is only permitted in designated outdoor areas. There are no designated smoking rooms inside the terminal.
Spa & Salon Services
XpresSpa is available at the following locations in the airport:
- Terminal 1, boarding area, near Gates 3 and 6.
- Terminal 4, boarding area, near Gates A2, B24, and the West retail area.
- Terminal 7, boarding area, retail area.
Passenger Assistance Organization
Location:
- Terminal 1: Arrival Hall (landside)
- Terminal 4: Arrival Hall (landside)
- Terminal 5: Arrival Hall, Reception Area (landside)
- Terminal 7: Arrival Hall (landside)
- Terminal 8: Arrival Hall (landside)
- Terminal 8: Departure Hall (landside)
- Terminal 8: Boarding Area
Flights from Vietnam to New York
Currently, flights from Vietnam to New York (landing at John F. Kennedy Airport) are available with international airlines such as: Etihad Airways, Emirates, Delta Air Lines, Aeroflot Russian, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines…
Above is some basic information about John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City, USA. If you have a flight arriving at this airport soon, be sure not to miss the detailed and interesting article by Mytour.
Mon, 14/01/2025 15:49