JFK Terminal 8: Airlines, Lounges, Gates and Getting There

JFK Terminal 8 is where American Airlines flies at New York's Kennedy Airport, along with British Airways, Alaska Airlines, Qatar Airways, Japan Airlines, Iberia and about eight other carriers. Gates range from a 2-minute walk after security to as much as 12 minutes for Gates 31-41. Here is what to know about JFK Terminal 8 before you fly: who flies from it, which lounges you can use, how long the walk to your gate takes and how to get there.

JFK Terminal 8 at a glance

Topic	What the official sources say
Main airlines	American, British Airways, Alaska, Qatar, Japan Airlines, Iberia and more
Gate groups	Gates 1-10, 12-20, 31-41 and 42-47
Longest walk from security	6-12 minutes (Gates 31-41)
Shops and restaurants	60+
Airport parking lot	Terminal 8 Red Lot
AirTrain between terminals	No charge
AirTrain to/from Jamaica or Howard Beach	$8.75 per ride
Closest waiting lot for pickups	JFK Cell Phone Lot

Airlines at JFK Terminal 8

According to the airport's official list, these airlines use Terminal 8:

Alaska Airlines
American Airlines
British Airways
Cathay Pacific
China Southern
Finnair
GOL
Hawaiian Airlines
Iberia
Japan Airlines
LEVEL
Qantas
Qatar Airways
Royal Jordanian

The airport's master airline directory also lists Israir at Terminal 8.

Terminal assignments at JFK change during the airport's ongoing redevelopment, and codeshare flights can leave from a different terminal than the airline name on your ticket suggests. Always check the terminal shown on your boarding pass or in your airline's app on the day you fly.

Gates and walking times

The airport publishes walking times from security to each gate group in Terminal 8:

Gates	Walk from security
1-10	2-5 minutes
12-20	2-4 minutes
31-41	6-12 minutes
42-47	6-8 minutes

If your boarding pass shows a gate in the 30s, give yourself a little extra time after screening. A gate like 31 can be one of the longer walks in the building. If you need wheelchair help or other assistance, the airport recommends arranging it with your airline in advance.

Lounges in Terminal 8

American Airlines lists four lounges at JFK Terminal 8:

Lounge	Location	Daily hours
Admirals Club	Concourse C, third floor after security, across from Gate 42	4:15 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
The Chelsea Lounge	Above Gate 14	4:15 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.
The Soho Lounge	Above Gate 14	4:15 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.
The Greenwich Lounge	Above Gate 12	4:15 a.m. - 1:15 a.m.

The Chelsea, Soho and Greenwich lounges are run jointly with British Airways. American says access depends on your AAdvantage status, fare class and ticket, and that qualifying tickets on American, British Airways or another oneworld airline can get you in. The Admirals Club takes members and travelers who qualify through status or class of service. American notes that the club has food and drinks, a full-service bar, Wi-Fi and a kids room.

Lounge rules change often, so check American's or British Airways' lounge pages with your exact ticket before counting on entry.

Food, shopping and services

The airport says Terminal 8 has more than 60 shops and restaurants, mixing sit-down dining, grab-and-go spots, New York brands and duty-exempt shopping for international travelers. You can order food from your phone and pick it up, which helps if your gate is a long walk from the restaurant you want.

Other things the airport highlights in Terminal 8:

Currency exchange for international travelers
Private spaces to relax, work or sleep
"The Show," a large LED video wall that hosts live performances, sports broadcasts and seasonal events

For a full restaurant and shop directory, use the interactive map on jfkairport.com, which can also route you to your gate.

Security at Terminal 8

The airport shows current security wait times for its terminals on jfkairport.com. Check them before you leave home. For tips on TSA PreCheck, CLEAR and how lines work across JFK, see our guide to JFK TSA wait times.

Connecting to or from Terminal 8

If you are connecting between Terminal 8 and another JFK terminal:

Take the AirTrain, which links every passenger terminal. Rides between terminals have no charge.
Expect to go through TSA screening again at your departure terminal. The airport tells connecting travelers to budget extra time for this.
Check your connecting gate and walk time before you board the AirTrain, so you know whether you are heading for the close-in gates or the far end of the concourse.

If both flights leave from Terminal 8, check with your airline whether you need to collect and recheck bags, for example after arriving on an international flight.

Getting to Terminal 8

AirTrain from the subway or LIRR

AirTrain JFK connects the terminals to the subway at Howard Beach and Jamaica, and to the Long Island Rail Road at Jamaica. The official fare is $8.75 per ride when you enter or exit at Jamaica or Howard Beach, and children under five ride at no charge. You pay by tapping a contactless card, phone or OMNY card. Trains run every 5-15 minutes.

The airport also offers two OMNY discounts:

30-day cap: after you have paid $43.50 in AirTrain fares within a rolling 30 days, more rides that period are covered.
Group fare: the first rider pays $8.75 and each additional rider pays $4.50, up to five riders ($26.75 maximum). Everyone must tap within five minutes.

For full door-to-door options, including the subway, LIRR and taxis, see our guide to JFK to Manhattan.

Driving and parking

The airport's own lot for this terminal is the Terminal 8 Red Lot, and the airport also runs a Long-Term Parking Lot. Rates vary by lot and change over time. Check current rates on the official JFK parking page. The airport says you can save money and guarantee a space by booking at least three hours ahead. Our JFK parking guide compares the lots.

Pickups and drop-offs

There is no parking at the curb in front of any terminal, and unattended cars are towed. If you are picking someone up, the JFK Cell Phone Lot is the closest waiting lot for Terminals 5, 7 and 8, and it has no charge. Drivers must stay with their vehicle.

Construction and roadway delays

JFK is in the middle of a major redevelopment, and the airport has an advisory in place through 2026 for roadway detours and closures. To skip congestion at the terminal curb, the airport suggests using the no-charge drop-off and pickup lot at the Lefferts Blvd AirTrain station, then riding the AirTrain to the terminals (about eight minutes, no charge). The airport also recommends public transit.

Tips for flying from Terminal 8

Check your terminal on the day you fly. Codeshares and terminal moves can catch you out.
Allow extra time for gates 31-41, which have the longest walk from security.
If you have lounge access, the Greenwich Lounge has the latest hours, until 1:15 a.m.
For live flight prices from New York, use the search box on this page. Check current fares before you book.
Leave extra time when driving because of construction.

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