L'John F. Kennedy International Airport (IATA: JKF) is located in the Queens, to New York. As you'd expect from the main airport in a city like the Big Apple, JFK is one of the busiest airports in the world and also the busiest airport in the United States in terms of international passenger traffic.
To know
The landing and take-off from JFK has been greatly improved since the addition of the multi-billion dollar Bay Runway in 2010, but due to its huge volume of traffic, it remains the worst airport in the United States in terms of flight delays. If possible, avoid stopping at JKF if you need to change your flight to reach another destination. If you need to change terminals, make sure you have enough time: for connections from domestic flights (United States or Canada) to other destinations in the United States or Canada, allow 2-3 hours; for transfers from national destinations to international destinations, calculate 3-4 hours; from international to domestic, 3-5 hours; and from international to international, 3-6 hours. International travelers other than those from Canada, Bermuda, or Visa Waiver Program countries are strongly advised to avoid stopping at JFK to take other international flights, as security and immigration procedures for non-U.S. Citizens are extremely time-consuming and tiring.
If you are arriving at this airport from overseas, be prepared to wait in line at Customs & Border Protection, often over an hour if you are not a permanent resident of the United States. As cell phones are not allowed in queues, you may be bringing a book or other non-digital entertainment with you.
If you are departing from this airport, be careful not to miss the terminal as it is a huge and congested airport with six terminals. We therefore advise you to arrive in the right terminal and do a search on yours on the JFK website, to find out which terminal it departs from, and try to arrive 2 hours earlier for domestic flights and 3 hours earlier for international ones, in order to do the check-in and go through security without a huge rise in blood pressure and / or a last-minute run worthy of the Olympics, but without any of the medals.
Flights
Although JFK still has more terminals than most major airports, the airport has the lowest number of terminals in history. When the airport opened, it had 10 terminals, meaning it reversed the trend of expanding the airport by slowly decreasing the terminal count over time (especially as the older ones would be demolished to make way for more terminals. to be renewed or replaced)
There are six terminals that are not that close together, so it is important to note which terminal your flight departs from. As terminals can change at short notice, always double check the website of the airport or that of your airline to find out which terminal it departs from.
The airlines serving the JFK are distributed throughout the airport. Delta Air Lines manages an important international hub from Terminals 2 and 4, while American Airlines has a hub in Terminal 8. Terminal 5 serves as an operational base for the low cost carrier JetBlue. Most of the international airlines serving JFK are split between Terminals 1 and 4, although there are also a few operating from Terminals 5, 7 and 8.
The colors of the terminals refer to the parking area that serves them, for example Terminals 1 and 2 are green because they are served by the green garage.
The terminals are located in the order of their number: for example, you will arrive at Terminal 7 after passing the 5.
With the exception of the Delta passenger shuttle between Terminals 2 and 4, there is no sterile transit between terminals and moving between them requires exit and security clearance. Extra time should be allotted for transfer between terminals.
With the exception of Terminal 2, all JFK terminals have customs and immigration services to control the arrival of international flights. JetBlue international arrivals between 10:30 PM and 5:00 AM, with the exception of those from airports with US Customs and Border Protection preclearance facilities, are operated at Terminal 4, as customs and immigration facilities Terminal 5 does not operate 24 hours a day.
How to get
John F. Kennedy International Airport: full screen map.To get to the city you can choose between the bus (slow and cheap), Airtrain plus subway or train (faster but more expensive), many shuttle services (which cost about $ 25) or a taxi ($ 52). With waiting times for taxis and traffic, the train is often the fastest option.
the JFK is located in Queens, 12 miles southeast of Lower Manhattan. From the financial district, the airport is accessible via the Williamsburg Bridge, the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, the Long Island Expressway and the Van Wyck Expressway. From Midtown take the Queens Midtown Tunnel onto the Queens Midtown Expressway, which eventually continues onto the Long Island Expressway, from which you can turn onto the Van Wyck Expressway towards JFK.
To travel between the city and the JFK:
- MTA NYC Bus - cost $ 2.75 (with MetroCard, $ 2.75 single ticket), these are the cheapest means of transport, albeit the slowest for Manhattan. Buses depart from a new ramp near Terminal 5 (signs inside Terminal 5 will point the way). These buses have little space for luggage and go to non-tourist districts located in the Queens it's at Brooklyn. However, they do offer connections to the subway and the Long Island Railroad. Free transfers between bus and metro are only available with a MetroCard; the single journey ticket does not allow free transfers. Coins (not banknotes) are required to board buses without MetroCard. MetroCards are sold at Hudson newsstands in Terminals 1 and 5. If newsstands are closed and you want to spend 30 minutes to save $ 2.50, take the AirTrain to Howard Beach station where you can purchase a multiple-ride Metrocard from vending machines without leaving the station (free). Then take the Airrain for one stop to Lefferts Boulevard station, where you can cross the street to take buses Q10 and B15 (The signage here is not as good as in Terminal 5). Bus to Metro / LIRR transfers include:
- Q10 for:
- Ozone Park-Lefferts Blvd (20 minutes): By train
- Jamaica Avenue and Lefferts Blvd.: J and Z trains (walk 3 blocks east to 121st Street)
- Kew Gardens (30 minutes): Transfer from here on Long Island Rail Road (Kew Gardens Station) to Penn Station ($ 6.50 during peak hours, $ 4.50 during off-peak hours, $ 3.75 on weekends with CityTicket), Brooklyn and Long Island. Although this option is cheaper than the AirTrain to Jamaica and then get there with LIRR, the LIRR service from here is much less frequent than the LIRR service from Jamaica.
- Kew Gardens-Union Turnpike (35 minutes): E and F trains. During rush hour, from this stop, you can take the express buses X63, X64, X68, QM18 and QM21 to Manhattan. Although these are slower and more expensive than the subway, they offer a ride on cloth seats without crowding. Ask where the bus stops are. An express bus ride costs $ 6, but is $ 3.50 as an incremental fare if you transfer from the Q10 bus and pay for both with a MetroCard.
- Q10 for:
- Q3 for:
- Jamaica-179th Street (45 minutes): Train F
- Q3 for:
- B15 for:
- Ashford Street and New Lots Avenue (30 minutes): Train 3
- Van Sinderen Ave and New Lots Avenue (35 minutes): Train L
- Fulton Street & Kingston-Throop Avenues (60 minutes): Train C
- Flushing Avenue and Broadway: J train all times except weekdays 7am to 1pm to Manhattan and 1pm to 8pm away from Manhattan, M trains on weekdays
- B15 for:
Note that transfers from the B15 to the subway are in some of the more difficult neighborhoods in Brooklyn, so this route is not recommended at night or for people unfamiliar with the city.
- JFK AirTrain - a transportation system that operates 24 hours a day, connects all airline terminals, Lefferts Blvd Station (airport parking) and Federal Circle Station (car rental and hotel shuttles) for free and at a cost of $ 7.75 to get in and out through Howard Beach and Jamaica stations. The AirTrain connects Howard Beach station with the "A" train to Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan, the "E" train connects Jamaica station with Queens and Lower Manhattan, "J" and "Z" trains go to Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan and Long Island Rail Road goes to Penn Station ($ 15), Brooklyn and Long Island. Elevators are available at Jamaica and Penn Station. The total time to get to Manhattan using the subway is 60 minutes; using the Long Island Rail Road is 35 minutes. Sometimes it's faster than taking a taxi. If you go to Jamaica and want to get downtown, the J and Z trains travel through a scenic route that passes over the Williamsburg Bridge. Although it runs through some rough neighborhoods, it is slightly faster than the E train and can be much less crowded during the rush hour of the E train. During the morning and afternoon rides to Manhattan, the "J" and "trains depart from it. Z "do the skip-stop service, which means that some stations are served by one of these trains. Keep this in mind if you are waiting at one of those stations. If you are returning to the airport by train A, make sure the destination signs are Far Rockaway or Rockaway Park. There are other trains to Lefferts Blvd not directly connected to the airport! If you get on the wrong train, stop at any station before Rockaway Blvd. If you forget it, go to the end of the line and return to Rockaway Boulevard and take the A train to Rockaway Park or Far Rockaway or take the Q10 bus directly downstairs. 'airport. As with the "J" and "Z" trains, when you take the A train at night, pay attention to your surroundings as the train passes through some rough neighborhoods. Between midnight and 6:00 am, train A makes local stops, so the travel time will be slower at that time.
- New York City Airporter Bus - Provides services to and from Grand Central Terminal and Port Authority Bus Terminal for $ 16 one way, $ 29 round trip (return ticket). Buses depart every 20-30 minutes, and the journey to Grand Central Terminal can take up to 90 minutes. The stops at the airport from the city are at Terminals 7, 8, 1, 2, 4, 5. If you are in a hurry and your flight is at Terminal 5, we recommend that you walk, as it takes only 5 minutes from Terminal 7. From the airport, the terminal order is 5, 7, 8, 1, 2, 4. It is recommended to use this service during low traffic hours for a quick and pleasant journey. Note that while online show times stop at Penn Station, the bus doesn't arrive until 8pm; however, there is a free connection service between Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal using a NYC Airporter van.
- Go Airlink Shuttle - Shared driver rental to or from most of Manhattan for $ 17-20 one way. 10% discount for online booking.
- Taxi - The most flexible route into town from JFK is a taxi, although the wait can be long when many flights arrive at the same time. Taxi fare costs $ 52 ($ 50 MTA tax) anywhere in Manhattan, excluding tolls (up to $ 5.50) or gratuities, for a total of $ 65-70. Taxis to points other than Manhattan and airport taxis from anywhere use the meter. During peak periods, you may need to wait up to 30 minutes for a taxi. The arrivals terminals are full of drivers advertising illegal livery travel - if you want to get one, be sure to negotiate the fare in advance and make sure it's cheaper than the taxi fare stated above. This also saves you waiting in the taxi line. No more than 4 passengers can take a single cabin and no more than 5 can take a single van. In general, however, it is not recommended if you are not familiar with the city, as these drivers tend to increase the price at the end of the journey with various excuses.
How to get around
The free AirTrain connects the terminals, but only by land. There is practically no air travel between terminals, so if you need to change between terminals to make a connection, you'll have to go through security again. The only exception is a free airport shuttle operated by Delta Air Lines, exclusively for passengers between Terminals 2 and 4.
Inside the terminals, if your flight leaves or arrives at a gate with a large number of passengers, consider using a free motorized shuttle, especially if you are carrying heavy or bulky luggage or otherwise have difficulty traveling long distances. Some gates are a long way from the security check area and baggage claim area. Drivers don't expect to be tipped for driving you.
Wait
JFK has a large number of airline lounges scattered throughout its terminals.
Terminal 1
- Lufthansa. Business and Senator Lounge.
- Korean Air. First and Business Lounge (also accessible via Priority Pass).
- Alitalia.
- Air France / KLM. Lounge. First class passengers have access to the Korean Air Lounge, business class passengers must go to the Lufthansa lounge and Skyteam Elite Plus access is to the Alitalia Lounge.
Terminal 2
- Delta Sky Club
Terminal 4
- Delta Sky Club
- Wingtips Lounge. Priority pass.
- Swiss. Business Class and First Class HON Lounge
- Emirates.
- Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse
- El Al. King David Lounge.
- Air India. Maharajah Lounge.
- Etihad Airways. First and Business Lounge.
Terminal 5
- Aer Lingus.
- JetBlue. Roof terrace.
Terminal 7
- Alaska Lounge. Also accessible via priority pass.
- British Airways Galleries Lounge. First class lounge and Concorde room.
Terminal 8
- American Admirals Club. Flagship Lounge and Flagship First Dining.
Shopping
There are many ATMs, but almost all of them charge a $ 2-3 fee per withdrawal.
Where to eat
All terminals have a wide choice of food and beverage outlets beyond the security checkpoints. Only Terminal 1, however, has a food court in the "Land side" area, with many well-known chains such as Starbucks, Dunkin 'Donuts, McDonald's and Sbarro's.
Where stay
The only hotel near the airport is the TWA Hotel, which was converted from the iconic former TWA terminal to Terminal 5 designed by famed Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen after being used by the now defunct Trans World Airways (TWA).
There are also many motel chains of all levels of service just across the border from the airport in the neighborhood Jamaica, with most shuttle buses to and from the airport. Hotel shuttles depart from Federal Circle station located on the Jamaica and Howard Beach AirTrain lines, which is free within the airport.
If you're really short on cash, sleeping at the airport is an option, albeit not overly pleasant. Seating may be limited depending on which terminal you are in, the terminals can get cold (so bring at least a sweater), and while the cleaning staff generally don't bother you, their noisy machines can wake you up. If you are concerned about your suitcases being stolen, luggage storage is available for a fee in Terminals 1 and 4, although the one in Terminal 4 is the only one open 24 hours a day, in case you need to access yours. luggage before 7:00 am.
How to keep in touch
Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport and is provided by Boingo but at various prices. In Terminal 8, for example, Boingo offers users 30 minutes of free use at 5 Mbit per second and, upon expiry, for additional use as a daily subscription or recurring monthly charge. However, if the web browser cookies and cache related to the "Boingo" domain are cleared, you can continually register for multiple free 30 minute sessions.
You can purchase a pay as you go plan for $ 4.95 or an unlimited access day pass for $ 7.95. If you're willing to buy a day pass and know you'll be staying at JFK multiple days within the month, you might as well purchase a monthly pass for just $ 9.95. JetBlue offers free Wi-Fi in Terminal 5, although there are no sockets to charge your device.
Around
Useful information
- Information (They are located near the entrances to the terminals). Information desks have well-informed people who can pacify and inform agitated or confused travelers about where certain departures and changes in services may be, as well as being able to hand out very useful maps for anyone who wants to use the New York train system.
- Luggage storage. Services are available in the arrivals areas of Terminals 1 and 4 and cost $ 4-16 per bag per day, depending on size.
- Luggage trolleys. They are available for $ 5 in Terminals 2, 3, 7, 8, 9 or free in Terminals 1 and 4.
- If you fly with Delta or Korean Air, these airlines offer showers in their lounges.
Rent with driver
- Limousine service. An alternative to taxis. These services are useful for getting to the airport from outlying districts where taxis are more difficult to find, or if you prefer to have your transport booked in advance. Typically $ 52 between JFK and Manhattan, you can compare prices on Mozio.com.
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning John F. Kennedy International Airport
Commons contains images or other files on John F. Kennedy International Airport
