John F. Kennedy airport (IATA: JFK) is a major international airport in Queens, New York City. Located approx. 18 miles from Manhattan, JFK is a popular destination for business travelers. In 2018, 61 million passengers passed through JFK's doors making it the 6th busiest airport in the United States and the 21st busiest airport in the world.John F. Kennedy has several hotels within a very short distance from the airport plus the iconic TWA Hotel which is accessible directly from the terminal.Whether you are catching a flight out of JFK and are spending a few hours past security or your are facing down a long layover, John F. Kennedy Airport has an option for you.
Browse lounges at JFK
Things you can find at JFK
Free things to do at JFK
Meditate and relax in the chapel
Located pre security in Terminal 4, the Interfaith Chapel at JFK offers passengers a bit of peace and quiet away from the chaos of the airport. The Chapel is open to all people, of all faiths and can be a great places to sit and meditate before heading through security.
Luggage storage
Due to security reasons, there are limited luggage storage facilities at JFK. However, the airport does offer some limited luggage storage for passengers that have a long layover. These can be found in multiple terminals throughout the airport. The luggage storage facilities cost approx. $4 - $18 per day depending on the size of your luggage. Find out more here. Unfortunately, due to increased security ricks transport facilities such as Grand Central Station no longer offer luggage storage facilities.An alternative to storing your luggage at JFK is to use a service such as Vertoe. Vertoe offers private solutions to luggage storage. Search your city on their website and you can book a location to store your luggage. Vertoe has many options in New York and costs approx. $6 per item, per day.
Best eats
Quick bite – Jikji Café
One of the best ad healthiest spots to grab a quick bite pre security at Terminal 1, JFK. Jikji Café serves Korean and Japanese food such as fresh sushi, sashimi, fruits, salads and more.
Sit down meal – Due Amici
If you are looking for a more leisurely dining experience head to Due Amici, located post-security in Terminal 2. Order delicious Italian cuisine and head to your flight full and satisfied.
Top tip for your layover
Plan ahead, factor in traffic and set alarms. Even if you have plenty of time to explore New York during your layover, navigating an unfamiliar city can be a time suck. Choose one or two sites that you would like to see and plan your routes down to the last minute. Set a 'turn back' alarm and stick to it, to ensure you are not rushing back to the airport.
Transport options – getting to and from the airport
The train
The AirTrain JFK connects JFK airport to the New York City Subway and the Long Island Rail Road. This is the cheapest option for getting from JFK to Manhattan or anywhere else in New York city. The AirTrain runs 24 hours a day and stops at all terminals. Travel time via the AirTrain to the city varies but it is best practice to allow 90 minutes to get from JFK to midtown.
The bus
Getting the express bus from JFK into the city is another great and reasonable priced option. The bus can be picked up at Terminal 1, 4 and 8 and drops passengers off at Grand Central Station and at Times Square. This is a great option however be weary that NYC traffic can be unpredictable. If you are traveling into the city around rush hour the journey could take more than 2 hours.
Hotel shuttles
All hotels close to JFK offer a free shuttle service to the airport. Contact your hotel for more details.
Taxis
Taxis can be easily picked up from all Terminals at JFK. This option is by far the easiest however it is also the most expensive. The convenience of door to door service can be worth the extra cost however you should also consider traffic if choosing to take a taxi. During rush hour your taxi ride can end up taking a lot longer than you planned for.
Purchase a Liftoff membership via our website or app.
Unlock airport-specific digital content and reserve VIP lounges using the points included with your plan.
Select the tier that fits your travel habits; higher tiers include more points.
When you book a lounge, you'll receive a unique access code in the app and by email—show this at the lounge to gain access.
You can buy extra points at any time, and rates improve with higher-tier plans.
Membership unlocks airport-specific digital content and the ability to book VIP lounges using points.
Each tier
Liftoff ($25/year)
Explorer ($97/year)
Jetsetter ($220/year)
Trailblazer ($399/year)
provides a different annual points allowance (except Liftoff, which doesn't include points) that refreshes when your subscription renews. You can use your points to reserve lounge access and purchase additional points through the app if you need more.
Higher tiers not only come with more points but also reduce the per-point price when buying extra.
Points are the currency you use in the Liftoff app to book VIP lounge visits. Most plans — Liftoff, Explorer, Jetsetter and Trailblazer — include a points allowance that is deposited into your account whenever your subscription renews. Liftoff does not include points. You spend points to reserve lounges and you can top up your balance at any time through the app. If you cancel your membership, any remaining points expire 30 days after cancellation.
Additional points can be purchased directly in the Sanctifly app from your mobile. All plans allow you to buy more points whenever you need them, and the per-point price decreases on higher-tier plans. Purchased points are added to your account immediately and are non-refundable. If you cancel your membership, any remaining points expire 30 days after cancellation.