Navigating New York’s JFK Airport Is About to Become Much More Challenging

Anyone who has ever traveled to an airport in New York City knows the notorious traffic jams that come with the territory. Ongoing construction projects have only added to the chaos. Remember the notorious gridlock during the construction of the “new” LaGuardia, when images of passengers abandoning their cars on the parkways and sprinting to catch their flights went viral?

Well, officials at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) are keenly aware of that ordeal, and they’re determined to prevent a repeat as the city’s international hub undergoes its own transformation.

“We aren’t just reacting to problems; we’re proactively addressing them,” says Rick Cotton, executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which manages both JFK and LaGuardia. “We’re implementing lessons learned from [LaGuardia] to minimize any disruptions for passengers at JFK.”

However, travelers may start to feel the effects as soon as this month, with construction beginning on a massive $19 billion renovation of the expansive facility (compared to LaGuardia’s $8 billion project). The current six separate terminals will be reduced to four, centered around two new complexes at either end of the airport, in what’s being promoted as “one unified Kennedy Airport”—a vision that has eluded planners for much of its 75-year existence.

Nonetheless, some analysts remain doubtful about the upcoming changes. “There will still be separate buildings that won’t be linked inside security, and access will still be as difficult as ever on congested city roads,” states travel expert Gary Leff, founder of the View from the Wing blog. “The key aspects of an airport—getting to your destination as quickly as possible—are unlikely to improve with this investment.”

Additionally, the project is commencing just as JFK officials brace for an influx of international travelers during the peak summer 2023 travel season. Bookings and demand are reaching—and even surpassing—pre-pandemic levels, according to major international airlines, while the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued warnings about a shortage of air traffic controllers in the New York area. In other words, things could get quite hectic.

What to Anticipate at JFK Airport in 2023 and Beyond

Until now, JFK airport has featured a somewhat perplexing arrangement of six terminals, numbered 1 through 8—terminals 3 and 6, built by Pan Am and National Airlines, respectively, were torn down over a decade ago.

Although JFK is smaller than massive international airports like those in Beijing and Dubai, it remains serviced by 70 airlines and is projected to accommodate over 60 million passengers this year.

As part of the ambitious and expensive initiative for “A New JFK,” terminals 2 and 7, previously used by Delta Air Lines and British Airways respectively, will be dismantled. A new Terminal 1 will be constructed on the south side of JFK to host major carriers such as Air France, Lufthansa, and JAL, which will eventually connect to an expanded Terminal 4, home to Delta and numerous international airlines.

On the opposite end of the airfield, a new Terminal 6 will be built adjacent to JetBlue Airways’ Terminal 5. American Airlines has expanded its operations in Terminal 8, which now includes flights with its partner British Airways and their exclusive lounges.

Upcoming Changes at JFK’s Terminals 1 and 2 (Air France, Lufthansa, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, and Turkish Airlines)

The primary developments impacting travelers will be centered around the new Terminal 1, where construction and demolition are set to begin this summer. This project will replace the existing Terminal 1, currently housing major airlines like Air France, Lufthansa, Japan Airlines (JAL), and Korean Air, along with Terminal 2, which was previously used by Delta for some domestic flights but is now vacant and slated for demolition. The $9.5 billion new terminal will cover 2.4 million square feet, making it more than double the size of the terminals it will replace and as large as the entire new LaGuardia. While the majority of the new gates and concourse are expected to open by 2026, the entire project won’t be completed until 2030.

Once the new Terminal 1 is finished, one significant change will be its open and spacious design, featuring a central spine of skylights that will illuminate the terminal’s interiors with natural light. It will also include over 300,000 square feet dedicated to dining, retail, lounges, and other amenities. Upon exiting the baggage claim area, travelers will find a 100-foot-deep landscaped “park portal” that provides access to all transportation options, creating an “immersion in nature before the next stage of the journey,” according to a statement from Gensler, the architectural firm responsible for the new design.

The goal of the new Terminal 1 is to “transform the guest experience,” says a representative from Gensler. Additionally, the terminal aims to serve as a benchmark for sustainable development, incorporating green energy and carbon reduction strategies. This includes a new microgrid featuring over 13,000 solar panels—reportedly the largest rooftop solar array in New York City and at any airport—which will enable the terminal to operate fully during power outages.

Updates at JFK’s Terminal 4 (Delta and various international airlines)

Additional projects feature a nearly completed expansion of Terminal 4, which serves Delta Air Lines and many international carriers (from Air India to Virgin Atlantic). This expansion will add 10 new gates to Terminal 4, primarily catering to regional and domestic flights.

Updates at JFK’s Terminals 5 and 6 (JetBlue)

Another area to monitor is the upcoming Terminal 6, which will primarily host JetBlue; it will connect to Terminal 5 once the new gates and facilities begin to open in 2026. This could lead to over two years of disruptions around these terminals. As of now, a significant change at Terminal 5 is that the taxi stand has been moved further away from the main terminal to the ground level of the Yellow parking garage, due to the construction at Terminal 6. For-hire vehicle pickups, including rideshare options, will now take place on the roof of the Orange garage, one AirTrain stop away at Terminal 7.

Updates at JFK’s Terminal 8 (American Airlines and British Airways)

At American Airlines’ Terminal 8, which recently welcomed British Airways after its move from Terminal 7 (set to be demolished in a few years), new facilities have been completed, including expanded lounges and five additional gates for wide-body aircraft.

Modifications to JFK’s AirTrain and Roadways

Among the transit changes, JFK’s AirTrain (the light-rail connector linking the terminals, parking lots, rental car area, and the New York City subway and Long Island Railroad) has closed the Terminal 1 station for the next seven months; a shuttle bus will now transport passengers to and from Terminal 4 and Terminal 8, where they can access the AirTrain.

Furthermore, several roadways are being realigned around the main construction sites, resulting in new traffic patterns that drivers may find unfamiliar.

JFK's Strategy for Assisting Travelers Amid Changes

Officials from the Port Authority assert that they are prepared for the significant changes and ready to assist travelers navigating the airport. Large digital information screens will be installed around the roadways to display real-time conditions for each terminal, specifically for those arriving by car. An Airport Operations Center, staffed with law enforcement, project engineers, and terminal personnel, will monitor all road and terminal frontages continuously. “We will be overseeing airport traffic 24/7,” a Port Authority spokesperson stated. For instance, if a terminal's departure ramp is congested, drivers will be redirected to use the arrivals level instead.

To assist travelers in navigating the crowds, JFK officials recommend the following tips:

• Visit JFKAirport.com or follow @JFKairport on Twitter, and subscribe to the Port Authority’s e-Alerts for traffic updates.
• Pre-book parking and utilize cell phone lots for passenger pickups.
• If possible, skip the roads entirely and opt for public transportation, which will be more convenient with a new AirTrain connection through Grand Central Terminal in Midtown Manhattan.