JFK Airport Live Departures
Checking in at New York JFK Airport
JFK Airport has five terminals: Terminals 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8. They vary in size but most have four floors. Check-in desks for different airlines are spread out across the terminals. Your ticket should tell you which terminal to go to for check-in and bag drop. Alternatively, our JFK Airport live departures board above may help.
Terminal 1 – Departures and check-in are located on Level 3.
Terminal 4 – Departures and check-in are located on Level 4.
Terminal 5 – Departures and check-in are located on Level 3.
Terminal 7 – Check-in is located on Level 2. Departures is located on Level 3.
Terminal 8 – Departures and check-in are located on Level 3.
When to arrive at New York Airport?
New York JFK departures should arrive at least 1.5 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight. If you’d like a faster transit through security, you can apply for TSA PreCheck. That way, you can go through the designated pre-check lanes and avoid the typical security crowds.
What’s next?
After checking in and dropping your bags, you can head to the security checkpoint.
Like many busy airports, JFK has a sprawling security lane system, run by TSA. You’ll need to scan your boarding pass to join the queue. While queuing, you can prepare your items.
Remove your outerwear items, including belts, watches, coats, jackets, hats, scarves, and so on. Then you’ll need to take out your liquids bag from your hand luggage.
You are allowed to carry liquids in 100 ml vessels in a clear, sealable, plastic bag no larger than a quart size (around 900 ml). You cannot carry flammable or toxic liquids through security. The only liquids that are exempt from the restrictions are baby food, baby milk, and medications. If you have any of these things on you, speak to the security guard when you get to the front of the line. They will inspect your items separately.
Place your liquids bag, outerwear, electronics, and hand luggage onto the conveyor belt for scanning. If for any reason something is flagged as irregular in your luggage, the security guards will let you know after you’ve gone through the metal detectors yourself.
When prompted, walk through the body scanner or metal detector and find your luggage on the other side. You can take your trays to a nearby table to ensure others can pass through the security lane quickly.
Now that you’re on the other side, it’s time to enjoy the New York Airport departures lounge.
What to do in Departures at JFK Airport?
So what can you expect in departures at JFK Airport? First, it depends on which terminal you’re travelling from. However, all five are fully equipped with toilets, accessible toilets, baby change facilities, breastfeeding/pumping pods, charging points, information desks, and ample seating.
Terminal 1 has a full food court with multiple popular chain restaurants and boutique bars. The other terminals also have a select few restaurants and bars serving everything from fast food to authentic slow-cooked Southern BBQ meals. You can eat breakfast, lunch and dinner from the early hours to late at night.
As for shopping, you’re spoilt for choice in JFK Airport departures lounges. Terminal 4 has a full retail hall that has a selection of designer shops as well as places to purchase a magazine or snacks for the plane. There is a duty-free shop located in all of JFK’s departure lounges too.
If you want to relax and unwind before the flight, there is a spa at Terminal 1. There are also several airport lounges available. Here is a short list:
- Air France Lounge – Terminal 1
- Lufthansa Lounge – Terminal 1
- Turkish Airlines Airport Lounge – Terminal 1
- Air India Lounge – Terminal 4
- Delta Sky Club Lounge – Terminal 4
- El Al King David Lounge – Terminal 4
- Emirates Lounge – Terminal 4
- Etihad Lounge – Terminal 4
- Swiss Lounge – Terminal 4
- Virgin Clubhouse – Terminal 4
- Wing Tips Lounge – Terminal 4
- Aer Lingus Lounge – Terminal 7
- Alaska Lounge – Terminal 7
- Lounge @ T7 – Terminal 7
Frequently Asked Questions
When to arrive at New York JFK Airport?
If you’re catching an international flight, it’s recommended you arrive 3 hours prior. For domestic flyers, 1.5-2 hours should be plenty of time to get through security.