New York John F Kennedy International Airport - JFK

John F. Kennedy International Airport Address

Phone Number: 1-718-244-4444

Website

The John F. Kennedy International Airport, more commonly known as JFK, has been in business since 1948. The airport sees a whopping 40 million passengers per year. There are five operational runways and one in the final stages of construction. With close to 5,000 acres of space, the airport has plenty of space for ongoing expansion. Many projects are currently in the works to ensure JFK airport remains modern, safe, and comfortable.

Located in Queens, JFK International Airport is approximately fifteen minutes from Manhattan. Travelers can easily reach the city by taxi, bus, or subway. The nine terminals surround the Van Wyck Expressway and the JFK/Nassau Expressway. The airport offers flights with more than 100 different airlines and to more than fifty countries. JFK International Airport is considered one of the busiest airports in the world with the New York to London route being the most popular.

Smoking is not allowed outside or inside the airport except for a few lounges (British Airways Terraces is the best) that have smoking-only areas. Security at JFK is extremely tight so passengers should allow extra time to pass through security checkpoints. During times of government named high-level warnings, cars coming into the airport may be searched, so travelers may want to allow time for these searches as well.

Directions

Those coming from the Long Island Expressway need to head east to Grand Central East. Follow Grand Central East and watch for signs for the Van Wyck Expressway South. Follow signs into the airport. From Williamsburg, Brooklyn, or Manhattan Bridges, head south on the Queens Expressway to Belt Parkway East. Take Exit 19 and follow the Nassau Expressway to the airport. From Brooklyn, drivers should take either the Queens Expressway south the the Belt Parkway heading east. Take Exit 19 and follow airport signs. From the Jackie Robinson Parkway head east to the Van Wyck South and head straight to the airport.

If the starting point is northern New York or Connecticut, take the I-87 south to Major Deegan Expressway. Cross to the I-95 and head east to the I-678 south. Cross the Bronx-Whitestone Bridge and take the Van Wyck Expressway south following the airport signs after this.

Those driving in from New Jersey should take the I-78 to the New Jersey Turnpike South and get off at Exit 13. From here, take the Goethals Bridge to Staten Island Expressway and cross the Verrazano Bridge. Take the Belt Parkway and get off at Exit 19 onto the Nassau Expressway and follow airport signs.

All drivers will take the Van Wyck Expressway into Jamaica and follow airport signs from that point. Those needing long term parking need to pay close attention to the sign for Federal Circle and take that exit.

JFK International Airport is not easy to navigate. The terminals are located a short distance from each other and the large number of foot traffic can make passengers feel hurried. Avoiding peak travel times will help some, as well allowing plenty of time to get from one area to the other. The official website does not give a breakdown of each terminal, so finding a suitable map can be troublesome.

Terminal

The easiest way to look at the terminal layout is by thinking of the grounds of JFK as being like a clock. Terminal one is to the south at the eight o'clock position. The remaining terminals go in a counter-clockwise position surrounding the Van Wyck and JFK/Nassau Expressways. Terminal 1 has eleven gates. The terminal serves Aeroflot, Aero Mexico, Air China, Air France, AirPlus, Alitalia, Austrian Airlines, China Airlines, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Lufthansa, MAXjet, Olympic, and Royal Air Maroc.

Terminal 2

Gates 19 to 30 are housed in Terminal 2. The smaller terminal is home to all Continental flights and once served Song, but Song shut down on April 30, 2006 and Delta took over their flight schedules. Terminal 2 is located in the southern end of the airport in the seven o'clock position.

Terminal 3

Located in the southern most part of the airport (six o'clock position) Terminal 3 serves Comair and Delta Connection. There are seventeen gates in this terminal. As one of the smaller terminals, this is generally an easier terminal to navigate.

Terminal 4

Terminal 4 is on the southeastern side of the airport grounds in the four o'clock position. Terminal 4 serves Aer Lingus, Aerolineas Argentinas, Aerosvit, Air India, Air Jamaica, Air Tahiti Nui, American Trans Air, Asiana, Avianca, Caribbean Airlines, Continental, Copa, Czech Airlines, Egypt Air, El Al, Emirates, Eos, Etihad, Eurofly, Israir, Jet Blue, KLM, Kuwait Airways, Lacsa, LAN, Lloyd Aero Bolivia, LOT, LTU, Miami Air, Mexicana, North American, Northwest Airlines, Pakistan International, Royal Jordanian, Singapore Airlines, South African, Sun Country, Taca Airlines, TAM, TravelSpan, Thai Airways, Universal Airlines, USA 3000, Uzbekistan Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Xtra Airways.

Terminal 5

At the present time, Terminal 5 is closed until further notice. Terminal 5 served all Trans World Airlines (TWA) flights. In the 1990s, TWA filed for bankruptcy. Because TWA was bought out in 2001 by American Airlines, there was no longer the need for this terminal. American Airlines already had plenty of space in their terminal.

For now Terminal 5 is undergoing renovations. When it does reopen, it will become the main hub for all JetBlue flights.

Terminal 6

Terminal 6 is in the one o'clock position in the northern area of the airport. The seventeen gates serve Air Canada and JetBlue flights.

Terminal 7

Serving Air Canada, All Nippon, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Iberia, Icelandair, Qantas, United Airlines, and U.S. Airways/America West, Terminal 4 is shaped much like a rectangle making it relatively easy to navigate.

Terminal 8

Terminal 8 is scheduled to be taken down. After Terminal 9 opened for air traffic, the older Terminal 8 no longer is needed. Presently, Terminal 8 still serves American Airlines international and Caribbean flights, Finnair, Malev Hungarian, and SN Brussels Airlines. Shaped much like a backwards letter E, the three fingers house 49 gates. A holds gates 1 through 10, B holds gates 20 to 24, and C holds gates 40 through 49.

Terminal 9

Terminal 9 is the newer of the terminals and will eventually be replacing all of Terminal 8. Currently, the terminal serves American Airlines' domestic flights, flights to Puerto Rico, and some international flights.

Terminal Map

Terminal Maps