Most asked
- To the cityAirTrain to Jamaica (LIRR to Penn/Grand Central, or E/J/Z subway) or Howard Beach (A subway). AirTrain $8.75 tap-to-pay, plus $3 subway or $5.25–7.25 LIRR. Runs 24 h.details
- Uber / LyftT1, T4 and T8 pick up at the Arrivals curb (T4 is Zone B). T5 and T7 pickups are moved to the Howard Beach AirTrain station lot during construction — ride the free AirTrain there first.details
- Between terminalsFree AirTrain, every 5–15 min, under 10 min between terminals, 24 h. Terminals are not connected airside, so you re-clear security.details
- NursingMamava lactation pods after security in every terminal (12 airport-wide), unlocked with the free Mamava app. Exact spots are only on the interactive map.details
Getting to and from the airport 13
AirTrain to Jamaica (LIRR, E/J/Z subway)Train AirTrain station at every terminal; follow "AirTrain" signs. Any train to Jamaica. At Jamaica, go down one level for the Sutphin Blvd–Archer Av subway (E, J, Z) or LIRR.
Fastest route to Manhattan is LIRR (about 20 min to Penn Station or Grand Central Madison). Total $11.75 by subway or $14–16 by LIRR.
AirTrain to Howard Beach (A subway)Train AirTrain station at every terminal; take a Howard Beach train. Transfer to the A train at Howard Beach–JFK Airport (accessible).
Cheapest rail route to lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. Coming to JFK, only Far Rockaway-bound A trains stop at Howard Beach; Lefferts Blvd trains do not.
Long Island Rail Road from JamaicaTrain Jamaica Station, directly below the AirTrain Jamaica platforms (elevators, escalators, stairs)
Sit at the front of an eastbound train to be nearest the AirTrain at Jamaica. Not all LIRR trains stop at Jamaica — check the board. Metro-North riders change at Grand Central.
Yellow taxi stand and Manhattan flat fareTaxi Official taxi stand outside Arrivals at every terminal; a dispatcher loads the line. No reservation. (T7 stand is inside the parking garage, Level 1 — see taxi-t7.)
Ignore anyone offering a ride inside the terminal — unlicensed. Cards accepted. Airport FAQ says "no extra charges for peak times" while the taxi page says fees vary by time of day; budget for the higher figure. Live wait times on the taxi page.
Terminal 7 taxi stand (relocated)Taxi First level of the Terminal 7 parking garage, along with all passenger pick-up and drop-off. Follow posted signs from Arrivals.
Since 22 Sept 2026, ongoing. Over-height vehicles and buses use a separate area outside the garage.
Authorized shared vans and pre-booked car serviceShared van Pre-booked drivers meet you in the ground transportation area of your terminal; ask at the Port Authority Welcome Center in Arrivals
Only Airlink New York (+1 212 812-9000) and ETS Air Shuttle (+1 718 221-8344) are authorized. Anyone else soliciting is unlicensed.
Rental car center at Federal CircleCar rental AirTrain to Federal Circle station (free from any terminal); counters and cars are at the station
Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt, Thrifty. Hand-control vehicles and terminal shuttles on request from the company. When returning, set your GPS to Federal Circle Station.
Free wait lots for whoever is picking you upMeeting a driver Lefferts Blvd AirTrain station lot (closest to T1/T4; ride the free AirTrain 8 min to meet them) or the Cell Phone Lot off the JFK Expressway (closest to T5/T7/T8)
Curbs are active loading only; unattended cars are towed. Drivers must stay in the vehicle at Lefferts. The airport recommends meeting at Lefferts to skip terminal roadway congestion during the rebuild.
Nothing matches where you are — ground transport is all before security.
Between terminals 1
AirTrain between terminalsInter-terminal train AirTrain stations at T1, T4, T5, T7 and T8, on the terminal loop. Also stops at Federal Circle (rental cars and all off-airport hotel shuttles, which may not use terminal curbs) and Lefferts Blvd (long-term parking).
Under 10 min terminal to terminal. No airside connection exists between terminals — you exit, ride, and re-clear TSA. Allow extra time for construction station closures.
Nothing matches where you are — change the terminal or security filter to see all.
Families and nursing 5
Mamava lactation podsNursing pod After security in every terminal; 12 pods airport-wide. Use the "Lactation rooms and pods" layer on maps.jfkairport.com or the Mamava app for the exact gate.
Lockable pod with bench, fold-down table and outlet, sized for a parent, stroller, baby and companion; ADA turnaround. Unlock with the free Mamava app. The airport publishes no gate numbers on its pages.
Nursing suites (Terminal 7)Nursing room Terminal 7, after security; follow signage or the interactive map
T7's page lists nursing suites and family restrooms but no gate numbers.
Family restroomsFamily washroom Every terminal; locate on the interactive map ("Family restrooms" layer)
All terminal restrooms are wheelchair-accessible. No per-gate list is published.
Children's play areasPlay area Only in a few terminals — T1 names children's play areas on its page; find them on the interactive map
The airport does not say which terminals or gates. T5 also has an outdoor rooftop deck kids tend to like (see t5-rooftop).
Formula, breast milk and baby food through securityPolicy Any TSA checkpoint
TSA allows formula, breast milk, toddler drinks and baby food in carry-on in reasonable quantities above the 3.4 oz limit. Take them out of the bag and tell the officer. Rules are TSA's, not the airport's.
Nothing matches where you are — change the terminal or security filter to see all.
Lounges 16
Delta One LoungeAirline lounge Level 4, above the concourse near security
- Delta One (business) passengers under Delta's current rules only
Delta has revised access since opening; check delta.com. Delta Main Basic fares are excluded from all Delta lounges.
Delta Sky Club (Concourse A)Airline lounge Concourse A, upper level near gate A8
- Delta One / Delta Premium Select international, SkyTeam business
- Sky Club members; Diamond/Platinum Medallion rules apply
- Amex Platinum (10 visits per year) and Delta Reserve cards (15 visits)
Same-day Delta or partner ticket required; no Main Basic fares. Extra visits/guests $50.
Delta Sky Club (Concourse B)Airline lounge Concourse B, near gate B31
- Same rules as the Concourse A club
Busiest Sky Club at JFK; expect a queue around the evening international bank. Long walk from the far A gates.
The Centurion Lounge (Amex)Card lounge Level 4. Just past TSA, left of the escalators down to the gates. From the A concourse take stairs/elevator up to the 4th floor.
- Amex Platinum / Business Platinum / Centurion, within 3 h of departure
- Guests $50 adult / $30 child unless $75k annual spend unlocks 2 free
Cannot enter on arrival unless connecting same day. Boarding pass name must match card.
Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club with Etihad AirwaysCard lounge Level 4 mezzanine, above gate A2
- Sapphire Reserve / Reserve for Business / J.P. Morgan Reserve via Priority Pass Select, within 3 h of flight; 2 free guests, then $27 each
- Other Priority Pass Select members under Chase's published rules
- Etihad premium passengers
Private bathrooms with showers, wellness rooms and prayer rooms inside.
Capital One LoungeCard lounge Retail Hall, Level 3, near the B gates
- Venture X / Venture X Business primary cardholders after enrollment, subject to space
- Guest and authorized-user rules changed Feb 2026 — check capitalone.com
The only 24-hour lounge at JFK. Shower suites. Capital One's own site could not be fetched; location and hours are from a third-party guide quoting it.
Virgin Atlantic ClubhouseAirline lounge Level 4, near gate A5
- Virgin Atlantic Upper Class, Flying Club Gold, Delta One on VS-operated flights
- Priority Pass only until 13:30
Shower suites.
Lufthansa Business and Senator LoungeAirline lounge Terminal 1, after security (follow signs; no gate published)
- Lufthansa Group / Star Alliance business, Star Gold, HON Circle and Senators
- Business Lounge also via Priority Pass
Lufthansa Group is slated to move to the new Terminal 6 when it opens; check your terminal.
Air France LoungeAirline lounge Terminal 1, after security
- Air France / KLM / SkyTeam business, Flying Blue Gold+, SkyTeam Elite Plus
- Priority Pass; Amex Platinum list
Air France will move to the New Terminal One when it opens (early 2027 per trade press).
Primeclass LoungePay-in lounge Terminal 1, after security
- Priority Pass, LoungeKey, DragonPass
- Paid entry via third-party pass resellers (no published walk-up price)
BlueHouse (JetBlue)Airline lounge Across from gate 526
- JetBlue Mosaic 4 members
- JetBlue Premier cardmembers
- Transatlantic Mint passengers
- Up to 3 h before an eligible flight; Blue Basic fares excluded
Opened December 2025. No Priority Pass or paid entry.
Aer Lingus LoungeAirline lounge Near gate 1
- Aer Lingus Business, AerClub Platinum/Concierge
Closed mornings. Named on the airport's T7 page; gate and hours are from a third-party guide.
Horizons T7 LoungeShared lounge Terminal 7, after security
- Premium passengers of T7 airlines (ANA, Condor, Kuwait, Norse, Icelandair) per each airline's contract
No Priority Pass or walk-up entry documented.
American Airlines Admirals ClubAirline lounge Concourse C, third floor after security, across from gate 42
- Admirals Club members and eligible AAdvantage credit cards
- oneworld business/first and Emerald/Sapphire on eligible tickets
- One-Day Pass $79 or 7,900 miles, capacity permitting, same-day AA/oneworld boarding pass
Kids room, full bar. 6–8 min walk from security; gates 1–20 are closer to the Greenwich/Soho/Chelsea lounges.
Greenwich Lounge (American / British Airways)Airline lounge Above gate 12
- AA / BA / oneworld business class and oneworld Sapphire+ on eligible tickets
Entry-tier of the three joint AA/BA lounges. Latest-closing lounge at JFK.
Soho and Chelsea Lounges (American / British Airways)Airline lounge Both above gate 14
- Soho: higher-tier AA/BA/oneworld business and Emerald customers per AA's status and fare rules
- Chelsea: AA Flagship First / BA First and top-tier elites
Soho has work pods, a library and a quiet area; Chelsea has a champagne bar and a la carte dining.
Nothing matches where you are — change the terminal or security filter to see all.
Accessibility 8
Wheelchair and mobility assistancePolicy Arrange through your airline before you fly; on arrival ask at the airline counter or the designated desk inside the terminal
Airlines, not the airport, provide curb-to-gate help, oxygen and connections. Attendants may accept tips but must not ask. Motorized wheelchairs/scooters allowed in all terminals.
Airport Customer Experience Specialists (red shirts)Help desk Information Center in the Arrivals area of each terminal, before security
Also reachable by WhatsApp and live video call (Mon–Fri). Lanyards and hearing loops are here, and staff can open free on-demand ASL video interpreting (Convo Now) via a QR code.
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyardHidden disabilities Free at Information Centers in the Arrivals area of each terminal, before security. T4 also hands them out at the Welcome Center (Arrivals Hall) and the Retail Hall info desk.
Can be mailed in advance (US addresses only, request 14+ days ahead). T4 also runs a Hidden Disabilities International Arrivals Assistance Program by email.
Hearing loops at Information CentersHearing loop T1 Information Center; T4 Domestic and International Information Centers; T5 Domestic Information Center; T7 Information Center; T8 Information Center
Switch your hearing device to the T (telecoil) setting.
Aira Explorer (blind / low vision)Visual assistance Anywhere in the airport, via the Aira app on your phone
Connects you to a live agent who sees through your camera. AirTrain has tactile platform edges, Braille and raised-letter signs and on-board announcements.
TSA Cares passenger supportScreening help Any TSA checkpoint; request ahead online
Submit the TSA Cares form at least 72 hours before your flight; inside 72 hours call +1 (855) 787-2227.
Wheelchair-accessible yellow taxisGround transport Taxi stand outside each terminal, or request via Accessible Dispatch, Curb or ARRO apps; call +1 (646) 599-9999 or text +1 (646) 400-0789
Look for the wheelchair symbol on the cab. Uber and Lyft WAV rides stay curbside at the terminal even where regular pickups have moved (T5/T7).
Electric carts and Delta A–B shuttle bus (Terminal 4)In-terminal mobility Carts past security with live wait-time displays. Free Delta shuttle bus stops at Gate B23, Gate B54 and near Gate A9.
Gates A9–A21 and B42–B54 are wheelchair-only for assistance (no carts). The bus is not always faster than walking.
Nothing matches where you are — change the terminal or security filter to see all.
Rest, showers, quiet 5
Prayer and meditation roomsPrayer / quiet room Locate on the interactive map ("Prayer and meditation rooms" layer); the Chase Sapphire Lounge in T4 also has prayer rooms for its guests
The airport confirms rooms exist but publishes no terminal list or hours.
T5 Rooftop & Wooftop LoungeOutdoor deck Across from gate 528, after security
Open-air deck with seating, charging and a dog walk. Open to everyone — not a membership lounge.
Showers (lounges and Minute Suites only)Showers No public showers at JFK. T4 Chase Sapphire, Capital One, Emirates and Virgin Atlantic lounges have showers; Minute Suites T4 (gate B39) rents showers by reservation.
Minute Suites Express (Terminal 4)Nap suite Near gate B39, after security
Private room with daybed, TV and desk. The only JFK location with showers (reserve in advance). Open to all travellers; also listed in Priority Pass.
Minute Suites Express (Terminal 8)Nap suite Near gate C37, Concourse C, after security
No showers at this location. Open to all travellers.
Nothing matches where you are — change the terminal or security filter to see all.
Pets and service animals 3
Service animal and pet relief areasPet relief area Indoor and outdoor areas in every terminal; artificial grass, sinks and waste stations. Exact spots only on the interactive map ("Service animal & pet relief areas" layer).
Pets stay in carriers inside the terminal except service animals. The airport publishes no gate list.
Outdoor animal relief area (Terminal 8)Pet relief area From baggage claim exit near the Travelers Aid desk, cross the roadway and follow the red parking sign — grassy area on the right. From check-in, exit Doorway F, cross the inner roadway to the centre island, on the right.
Wooftop dog walk (Terminal 5 rooftop)Pet relief area T5 Rooftop & Wooftop Lounge, across from gate 528, after security
Outdoor dog run on the roof deck; the airport does not label it a formal service-animal relief area.
Nothing matches where you are — change the terminal or security filter to see all.
Services 9
Free airport Wi-FiWi-Fi Everywhere, including the AirTrain
Network name "_Free JFK WiFi" (with the leading underscore). Support +1 (800) 880-4117, 24/7.
Baggage storage (Terminal 4, any airline)Luggage storage Arrivals level, ground floor, before security; pre-book online or walk up
Up to 72 hours, regardless of which terminal you fly from — ride the free AirTrain over from T5 or T8. Confirmed ticket required; bags must be locked and are subject to TSA inspection.
Baggage storage (Terminals 1 and 7)Luggage storage Smarte Carte desks in T1 and T7 before security; no desk in T5 or T8
Hours and prices from a third-party guide quoting Smarte Carte; the airport's map only marks "Baggage storage".
Lost and found No walk-up office — file online at chargerback.com/jfk (terminal and TSA items). Items left on a plane go to the airline.
TSA checkpoint items can also be reported at tsa.gov/form/lost-and-found (select JFK). Passports and visas lost in the terminal use the same virtual office.
Port Authority Information / Welcome CentersInformation desk Arrivals area of every terminal, before security
Red-shirt ACES staff. Safe place to ask about ground transport instead of trusting curbside touts.
Skycaps and T4 portersPorter Flag a Skycap at the Departures curb; T4 porters are curbside for departures and at the baggage carousels for arrivals
Free luggage carts are available throughout the terminals.
Global Entry / TSA PreCheck / CLEAR enrollmentTrusted traveller enrollment Enrollment office in Terminal 4; CLEAR lanes are also at T4
Pre-enroll online first; Global Entry interviews are scheduled through CBP. T4 Reserve lets anyone book a free security time slot up to 7 days ahead.
Medical help and AEDsMedical No clinic or pharmacy at JFK. AEDs throughout every terminal (map layer). Emergencies — Port Authority Police +1 (718) 244-4345 or 911.
No designated medical services on site.
TWA Hotel (on-airport, attached to Terminal 5)Hotel From T5 baggage claim (ground floor) take the TWA Hotel elevator on the far right, then the red-carpeted flight tube to the lobby. From other terminals, AirTrain to the T5 stop, then signs. One Idlewild Drive.
Lobby, museum exhibits, Paris Cafe, Sunken Lounge and the Connie cocktail plane are open to non-guests. Rooftop pool year-round (reservations seasonal). Gym day passes sold. Free bag storage for guests up to 5 h; no long-term storage.
Nothing matches where you are — change the terminal or security filter to see all.
Last full review 2026-10-26. "Unconfirmed" means a reputable third-party source we couldn't confirm on the airport's own pages. Gates and pickup zones change; report an error.