Last updated 10 minutes ago
Average security wait time at JFK: 16 min
Want to know which specific checkpoint lane is fastest right now? GateReady Fast Pass shows you lane-by-lane data — General, TSA Pre, CLEAR, and Priority lanes updated every 15 minutes.
Try Fast Pass Free for 7 DaysCurrent security wait times at each JFK terminal
4 min
All Clear
No data
All Clear
34 min
Significant Delays
38 min
Significant Delays
13 min
All Clear
12 min
All Clear
Fast Pass members get Smart Routing — we tell you which terminal has the shortest wait and give you step-by-step directions including train times between terminals.
Example Smart Route
Carry-on only. Checked bags must go through your ticketed terminal.
Know which terminal to head to before you arrive
| Terminal | Airlines |
|---|---|
| Terminal 1 | Air France, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines |
| Terminal 2 | Delta Air Lines (domestic) |
| Terminal 4 | Delta (international), Emirates, Etihad, KLM, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic |
| Terminal 5 | JetBlue Airways |
| Terminal 7 | British Airways, Icelandair |
| Terminal 8 | American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Qantas |
See how terminals are connected and plan your route through John F. Kennedy International Airport
Schematic layout -- not to scale. Times shown are approximate transit times between terminals.
John F. Kennedy International Airport is the primary international gateway to the New York metropolitan area, handling over 62 million passengers annually. It has six active terminals (1, 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8), each operated independently. A new Terminal 6 is under construction with the first phase opening in 2026, and the New Terminal One will replace Terminal 1. JFK is known for lengthy security lines, especially at Terminal 1 and Terminal 4, which handle the bulk of international traffic.
Terminals
6
Checkpoints
6
TSA PreCheck
Available
Terminal 4 (Delta international hub) has the longest security lines — plan to arrive 3 hours before international flights.
Terminal 5 (JetBlue) is generally the fastest terminal for security, even during peak hours.
There are no airside connections between terminals; you must exit and re-enter security to change terminals.
Take the AirTrain ($8.50) from Jamaica Station (LIRR) or Howard Beach (subway) to avoid road traffic.
Late evening flights (after 8 PM) typically have the shortest security wait times across all terminals.
Enroll in TSA PreCheck ($78 for 5 years) to use expedited screening lanes. PreCheck members can keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on and leave laptops and liquids in bags.
Remove prohibited items before joining the line. The most common causes of secondary screening are oversized liquids, forgotten water bottles, and loose electronics.
The fastest way? Let GateReady do the work.
Fast Pass members get tools that take the guesswork out of JFK security:
Long security lines are not inevitable. Several trusted traveler programs let you bypass the standard screening queue at JFK. Here is what is available and what each program costs.
Available at JFK and 200+ US airports
TSA PreCheck members use a dedicated screening lane where you can keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on. Laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids stay in your bag. The average PreCheck wait time is under 5 minutes nationwide.
CLEAR is available at John F. Kennedy International Airport
CLEAR uses biometric screening (fingerprints or iris scan) to verify your identity, letting you skip the ID verification line entirely. When paired with TSA PreCheck, you go from the CLEAR lane directly into the PreCheck screening line — often clearing security in under 2 minutes.
Several travel credit cards reimburse the enrollment fees for trusted traveler programs. These cards pay for themselves by covering your PreCheck, Global Entry, or CLEAR membership costs as a statement credit.
$400/year annual fee
Reimburses: TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, CLEAR
Signup bonus: 50,000 bonus points
$525/year annual fee
Reimburses: TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, CLEAR
Signup bonus: 80,000 bonus miles
The current average security wait time at John F. Kennedy International Airport is approximately 16 min. Wait times are updated every 15 minutes to keep you informed.
John F. Kennedy International Airport has 6 terminals, each with its own security checkpoint. Wait times vary by terminal and time of day. GateReady tracks each checkpoint individually so you can compare in real time on the JFK live dashboard.
Yes, John F. Kennedy International Airport offers TSA PreCheck at multiple checkpoints. PreCheck members can keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on, and leave laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids in bags. Enrollment costs $78 for five years. JFK also offers CLEAR, a separate biometric screening service that lets you skip the ID verification line entirely (from $189/year).
For domestic flights at John F. Kennedy International Airport, arrive at least 2 hours before your scheduled departure. For international flights, arrive 3 hours early. During holiday periods and peak travel times, add an extra 30-60 minutes. Use GateReady's Best Time to Arrive calculator for a personalized recommendation based on current JFK security conditions.
Get the tools you need to breeze through John F. Kennedy International Airport security, whether you fly once a year or every week.
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Never get caught off guard by long security lines at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Sign up for free alerts when wait times spike.
Best for international travelers
Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck and adds expedited US customs processing when you return from international trips. Instead of waiting in the standard customs line, you use a kiosk with facial recognition and walk through in minutes. If you fly internationally even once a year, Global Entry is the better value over standalone PreCheck.
Best for US-Canada travelers
NEXUS is a joint US-Canada trusted traveler program that includes both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry benefits at the same price as Global Entry alone. If you travel between the US and Canada, NEXUS is the best overall value — you get expedited screening in both countries plus all the domestic PreCheck benefits.
$650/year annual fee
Reimburses: TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, CLEAR
See all cards with travel perks on the full comparison page.
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GateReady provides independent airport intelligence. Wait time estimates are based on real-time data and may vary. Not affiliated with TSA or any airport authority.
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