JFK Terminal 4: Airlines, Gates, Security and Getting There

JFK Terminal 4 is the terminal for Delta at New York's Kennedy Airport, plus about 20 other airlines, including Emirates, KLM, Virgin Atlantic, Singapore Airlines and Air India. It has two concourses (A and B), a no-charge security reservation program called T4 Reserve, and its own AirTrain stop that links it to every other JFK terminal, the subway and the LIRR. Here is what to know before you fly out of, into or through JFK Terminal 4.

JFK Terminal 4 at a glance

Item	What to know
Operator	JFKIAT, which calls T4 the first privately operated terminal in the U.S.
Main airline	Delta, plus about 20 other airlines
Concourses	A and B
Security reservations	T4 Reserve, no charge, slots open 7 days before your flight
Getting between terminals	AirTrain, no charge between terminals
AirTrain to/from Jamaica or Howard Beach	$8.75 one-way
Lounges	Delta One, Delta Sky Club (A and B), Centurion, Chase Sapphire, Capital One, Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, Air India Maharaja, HelloSky

Which airlines fly from JFK Terminal 4?

The official JFK airline list for Terminal 4 currently names 21 carriers:

Aeromexico
Air Europa
Air India
Arkia Israeli Airlines
Avianca
Caribbean Airlines
China Airlines
Copa Airlines
Delta
El Al
Emirates
Etihad
JetBlue (see note below)
Kenya Airways
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
LATAM
Singapore Airlines
Uzbekistan Airways
Virgin Atlantic
WestJet
Xiamen Airlines

The JetBlue exception: JetBlue's home is Terminal 5, but the airport says JetBlue's international arrivals use Terminal 4 between 10:30 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. If someone is picking you up from a late-night JetBlue flight from abroad, tell them to go to T4, not T5.

Codeshare tip: If you booked through one airline but the flight is operated by another, you depart from the operating airline's terminal. Check your boarding pass or the airline's app for the operating carrier before you head to the airport.

Gates and walking times

Terminal 4 has two concourses, A and B. The airport publishes these walking times from security:

Gates	Walk from security
A3-A8	3-6 minutes
A9-A21	8-10 minutes
B18-B31	4-6 minutes
B32-B41	7-9 minutes
B42-B55	10-14 minutes

If your gate is in the B40s or B50s, build in an extra 15 minutes after security, especially with kids or heavy carry-ons.

Delta runs a no-charge shuttle bus between the concourses, with stops at Gate B23, Gate B54 and near Gate A9. You do not go through security again to use it. The airport notes that the shuttle is not always faster than walking, so use it mainly if walking is hard or you are going between the far ends of A and B.

For travelers with reduced mobility, electric carts are available past security.

Security at Terminal 4: T4 Reserve, PreCheck and CLEAR

Terminal 4's most useful feature is T4 Reserve, which lets you book a security time slot at no charge. How it works, based on the airport's page:

Time slots open 7 days before your flight.
Availability varies by airline and destination, so not every flight will show slots.
You get a QR code. At the terminal, follow the RESERVE signs and show the code to a T4 ambassador.

T4 also offers TSA PreCheck and CLEAR enrollment, and Global Entry interviews can be completed at T4 if you schedule them through U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Mobile Passport Control, an app for iOS and Android, is also available at T4.

For how to check live lines before you leave home, see our guide to JFK TSA wait times.

Connecting at JFK Terminal 4

Many travelers searching for Terminal 4 are connecting, not starting their trip there. The rules depend on where you came from.

Moving between concourses in T4: Walk, or take the Delta shuttle between Concourse A and Concourse B without going through TSA security again.

Changing terminals: All JFK terminals are linked by AirTrain, which has no charge between terminals. Trains run every 5 to 15 minutes, and the airport says terminal-to-terminal rides take under 10 minutes. After you change terminals, you must clear TSA security again at your departure terminal, so leave time for that line too.

Arriving from abroad and connecting: U.S. Customs and Border Protection requires you to go through immigration, collect your checked bags at baggage claim (even if they are tagged through to your final city), take them to the baggage recheck area, and then clear security again. This is the step many travelers underestimate, so plan for a longer layover.

Separate tickets: If your flights are on separate bookings, expect to complete full arrival procedures, including claiming your bags and checking in again with your next airline. Give yourself extra time.

Getting to and from Terminal 4

AirTrain plus subway or LIRR: AirTrain links Terminal 4 to Jamaica Station (subway and LIRR) and Howard Beach (subway). The one-way AirTrain fare to or from those stations is $8.75, paid with a contactless card, phone wallet or OMNY card. The subway fare is $3.00. The airport says LIRR riders can reach the AirTrain in about 20 minutes from Penn Station or Grand Central Madison. The AirTrain fare is separate from the subway and LIRR fare.

AirTrain discounts with OMNY: AirTrain fares are capped at $43.50 in a rolling 30-day period, and groups of up to five pay $8.75 for the first rider and $4.50 for each additional rider (maximum $26.75) if everyone taps within 5 minutes.

For a full breakdown of trains, buses and taxis into the city, read JFK to Manhattan.

Driving and parking: For terminal lots, the long-term lot and prebooking, see our JFK parking guide. Rental cars and hotel shuttles are at the Federal Circle AirTrain station.

Food, shops and lounges

The airport says Terminal 4 has more than 135,000 square feet of shops and restaurants, with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-conscious options.

Lounges listed for T4 (entry rules vary by airline ticket, status or credit card):

Delta One Lounge
Delta Sky Club (Concourse A and Concourse B)
American Express Centurion Lounge
Chase Sapphire Lounge
Capital One Lounge
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse
Air India Maharaja Lounge
HelloSky Lounge

Check each lounge's own access rules before you go, since card and ticket rules change.

Useful services in Terminal 4

Baggage storage: Store bags for a few hours or up to 72 hours. You need a confirmed ticket, items are subject to TSA inspection, and you can book ahead.
Porters: Curbside for departures and at the carousels for arrivals.
Accessibility: Sunflower lanyards for hidden disabilities are available at no charge at the Welcome Center (Arrivals Hall) and the Info Desk (Retail Hall), or by email in advance. There is also an international arrivals assistance program for travelers with hidden disabilities.
Other services: Currency exchange, lost and found, information desks and pet relief areas.
VIP meet and greet: An escort through check-in, security and to your gate or baggage claim, by appointment.
Finding your way: T4 has an interactive map online and works with Google Maps indoor Live View.

Tips for flying out of JFK Terminal 4

Book a T4 Reserve slot as soon as slots open 7 days out, especially on busy travel days.
Check your gate before you clear security. A B50s gate can be a 10 to 14 minute walk.
If you are connecting from an international flight, plan time for customs, bag recheck and a second security check.
Use the AirTrain between terminals rather than a taxi; it has no charge between terminals.
Late-night JetBlue arrival from abroad? Meet at Terminal 4.
Looking for a fare? Check current fares with the search box on this page.

Prices and rules change. Always confirm with jfkairport.com and your airline before you travel.