John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is built around a horseshoe of passenger terminals numbered 1 through 8. Because of decades of redevelopment, the numbers are not continuous — Terminal 3 was demolished in 2013 and Terminal 2 closed in 2023 — so today you will fly from Terminal 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8. Each terminal is a separate building with its own check-in, security and gates, all linked by the free AirTrain. This guide explains which airlines use each terminal in 2026, what is changing during JFK's $19-billion rebuild, and how to move between terminals without missing a connection.
2026 update — JFK is mid-rebuild, so terminals are shifting. The brand-new Terminal 6 opened its first phase in 2026 and is taking over the airlines that used Terminal 7, which is now winding down. The much larger New Terminal One has been pushed back from June to November 2026 at the earliest, so the old Terminal 1 is still operating for now. Assignments are changing throughout the year — always confirm your terminal on your airline's website or your boarding pass within 24 hours of departure.
JFK terminals at a glance (2026)
Here is the quick map of who flies from where. Use it as a starting point, then double-check with your airline before you travel.
| Terminal | Status | Main airlines |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal 1 (old) | Open — closing when the New Terminal One opens | International carriers such as Air France, Korean Air, Turkish Airlines, Austrian, SWISS and Saudia |
| Terminal 4 | Open | Delta (main hub) plus many international partners — Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, KLM and 30+ others |
| Terminal 5 | Open | JetBlue |
| Terminal 6 (new) | First phase open (2026) | Airlines moving in from T7 — Lufthansa, Air Canada, Cathay Pacific, ANA, Icelandair, Condor, Norse Atlantic, Frontier, Kuwait Airways, Avianca — plus JetBlue |
| Terminal 7 | Winding down — closing in 2026 | Remaining airlines relocating to Terminal 6 |
| Terminal 8 | Open | American Airlines and Oneworld partners — British Airways, Iberia, Finnair, Japan Airlines |
JFK terminals, one by one
Terminal 1 (older international terminal)
The original Terminal 1 opened in 1998 and still handles a group of international carriers — think Air France, Korean Air, Turkish Airlines, Austrian and SWISS. It is one of the few JFK terminals equipped to handle the Airbus A380. Terminal 1 is living on borrowed time: its airlines will move into the New Terminal One once that facility opens, after which the old building will be demolished as part of the rebuild.
Terminal 4
Terminal 4 is JFK's busiest terminal and the main hub for Delta Air Lines, handling both domestic and international flights across two concourses. It is also home to a long list of international airlines including Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and KLM. With dozens of dining options, lounges and easy AirTrain access, T4 is the terminal most first-time JFK visitors pass through. See our guide to JFK airport lounges for what is available airside here.
Terminal 5
Terminal 5 is JetBlue's home at JFK, opened in 2008 and wrapped around the landmark 1962 TWA Flight Center — now the retro-themed TWA Hotel, the only on-airport hotel at JFK. T5 is a self-contained terminal with a wide choice of food and shops, and it now connects directly to the new Terminal 6 next door.
Terminal 6 (new — opened 2026)
The new Terminal 6 is JFK's newest building, a $4.2-billion facility built on the site of the former Terminals 6 and 7. Its first phase opened in 2026 with about 10 gates (most of them wide-body capable) and it is physically connected to JetBlue's Terminal 5. Airlines that have moved or are moving into Terminal 6 include Lufthansa, Air Canada, Cathay Pacific, ANA (All Nippon Airways), Icelandair, Condor, Norse Atlantic, Frontier, Kuwait Airways and Avianca, alongside JetBlue. Full completion is scheduled for 2028.
Terminal 7 (closing in 2026)
Terminal 7 — for years the only U.S. airport terminal operated by a foreign airline (British Airways) — is being retired. British Airways moved to Terminal 8 back in 2022, and the airlines that remained at T7, such as Aer Lingus, Air Canada, ANA and Icelandair, are relocating to the new Terminal 6. The old building will be demolished to make way for the second phase of Terminal 6.
Terminal 8
Terminal 8 is the JFK home of American Airlines and its Oneworld partners, including British Airways, Iberia, Finnair and Japan Airlines. It is one of the largest terminals at the airport and offers premium lounges, a wide retail and dining selection and quick AirTrain connections to the rest of JFK.
Terminals 2 and 3 (closed)
You will still see gaps in the numbering. Terminal 3 (the old Pan Am Worldport) was demolished in 2013, and Terminal 2 — the former Delta domestic terminal — closed in 2023 when Delta consolidated at Terminal 4. Both sites are being absorbed into the New Terminal One project, so there is no Terminal 2 or 3 to fly from today.
Getting between JFK terminals: the AirTrain
JFK's terminals are spread around a large loop, so you cannot simply walk between most of them. The AirTrain is the way to move around — a free, driverless rail system that runs 24/7 and connects every terminal, the parking lots and the subway/LIRR station at Jamaica and Howard Beach. Trains arrive every few minutes, and travel between adjacent terminals takes only a couple of minutes.
If you have a connection that changes terminals, remember two things: you will normally have to collect your bags, exit, and clear security again at the new terminal (JFK has no airside connector between all terminals), and international arrivals must first clear U.S. customs and immigration. Give yourself extra time — see our full guides to a layover at JFK and to customs and immigration. For onward travel into the city, compare your options in the JFK to Manhattan transport guide.
What's changing at JFK in 2026
JFK is in the middle of a roughly $19-billion transformation that is reshaping the terminal map.
- New Terminal One (NTO): a $9.5-billion, 23-gate international terminal rising on the old Terminal 1/2/3 site. Its opening slipped from June 2026 to November 2026 at the earliest, and when fully built out by 2030 it will be the largest terminal in the United States. It will eventually consolidate around 20 international carriers, including several now using the old Terminal 1.
- New Terminal 6: the $4.2-billion terminal whose first gates opened in 2026, connected to JetBlue's Terminal 5, with full completion due in 2028.
- Terminal 7 demolition: once its airlines have moved to Terminal 6, the old Terminal 7 will be torn down to complete the Terminal 6 project.
Because so much is in motion, the single most important tip is simple: check your terminal on your airline's app or boarding pass within 24 hours of departure.
Frequently asked questions
Which terminal do I need at JFK?
Your terminal depends on your airline, not your destination. The quickest way to find it is to check your boarding pass or your airline's website — most also print the terminal number on your ticket. As a general rule in 2026: Delta uses Terminal 4, JetBlue uses Terminal 5 (and the connected Terminal 6), American and its Oneworld partners use Terminal 8, and many international carriers are split between the old Terminal 1 and the new Terminal 6 while the rebuild continues.
Is Terminal 2 still open at JFK?
No. Terminal 2, the former Delta domestic terminal, closed in 2023 when Delta consolidated its operations at Terminal 4. Terminal 3 was demolished back in 2013. Neither is used for flights today, and the land is part of the New Terminal One project.
Has the New Terminal One opened yet?
Not as of mid-2026. The New Terminal One was targeted to open its first gates in June 2026, but the date has been pushed back to November 2026 at the earliest. Until it opens, the international airlines destined for it continue to use the older Terminal 1.
Which airlines are in the new Terminal 6?
Terminal 6 opened its first phase in 2026 and is taking over airlines from the closing Terminal 7. Carriers that have moved or are moving in include Lufthansa, Air Canada, Cathay Pacific, ANA, Icelandair, Condor, Norse Atlantic, Frontier, Kuwait Airways and Avianca, along with JetBlue, which co-leads the terminal. Because moves are still happening, confirm your terminal before you fly.
How do I get from one JFK terminal to another?
Take the AirTrain. It is free inside the airport, runs 24 hours a day, and links all terminals with a train every few minutes. If your connection changes terminals you will usually need to collect your bags, exit, and go back through security at the new terminal, so allow at least 60–90 minutes between flights — more for international connections.
Planning the rest of your trip? See our guides to JFK airport transfers, parking at JFK, and which airlines fly from JFK.
