2026 layover guide
New York (JFK) connection time
At John F. Kennedy International Airport, plan on at least 55 min for a domestic connection, 1 h 45 min if you change terminals, and 2 h 25 min if you're arriving from abroad. Here's why, step by step.
Verified Oct 17, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction
Comfortable: 1 h 30 min
By AirTrain, with another security check
Customs, bag recheck and security
Switching means security again
Quick answer
Plan on at least 55 min for a domestic connection at JFK, 1 h 45 min if you change terminals and 2 h 25 min after an international arrival. Changing terminals means going through security again.
- Domestic, same terminal
- 55 min (comfortable: 1 h 30 min)
- Changing terminals
- 1 h 45 min by AirTrain
- From abroad
- 2 h 25 min, including customs and bag recheck
- Hub airlines
- Delta Air Lines, JetBlue and American Airlines
How long a layover do I need?
- Get off the plane and walk to your next gate25 min
- Be at the gate before boarding closes15 min
- Buffer for a small delay15 min
Our estimate, rounded up, not the airline's official minimum connection time. If both flights are on one ticket, the airline will rebook you if a delay makes you miss the second one. How we calculate this
Recommended layovers at JFK
Our estimates for common connections, rounded up. Comfortable times leave room for a late arrival.
| Connection | MinimumRecommended minimum |
|---|---|
Domestic to domestic, same terminal Checked bags transfer automatically | 55 min Comfortable: 1 h 30 min |
Domestic to domestic, changing terminals Includes another TSA check | 1 h 45 min Comfortable: 2 h 15 min |
International arrival, connecting domestically Customs, bag recheck and TSA | 2 h 25 min Comfortable: 3 h 15 min |
Same, with Global Entry and PreCheck Faster customs and security | 1 h 55 min Comfortable: 2 h 45 min |
Separate tickets with checked bags No protection if you miss it | 1 h 55 min Comfortable: 2 h 45 min |
Airlines' official minimum connection times can be shorter: if you booked both flights on one ticket, the airline has already checked that the connection is legal and will rebook you if a delay makes you miss it.
Getting around JFK
Terminals
Terminals 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.
Changing terminals
JFK's terminals aren't connected inside security (JetBlue's Terminal 5 and the new Terminal 6 are being linked). Changing terminals means riding the AirTrain and clearing TSA again. New Terminal One is due to open in 2027.
Customs and international arrivals
Arriving from abroad, you clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), collect your checked bags, drop them at the recheck belt and go through TSA security again before your connection. If your connection leaves from another terminal, add the AirTrain ride.
Tips for connecting at JFK
- •Delta is in Terminal 4, JetBlue in Terminal 5 and American in Terminal 8.
- •Connections on one airline usually stay in one terminal; mixing airlines often doesn't.
Plan your trip through JFK
The airport guide, and the bag rules for the airlines you're likely to connect on here.
JFK connection FAQ
Airlines set their own official minimums at JFK and only sell connections that meet them, so a one-ticket itinerary is always "legal". In practice we recommend at least 55 min for a domestic connection, 1 h 45 min when you change terminals and 2 h 25 min after an international arrival.
Other airports
Sources
Last verified Oct 17, 2026. Terminals and connection rules change, so check your airline's connection instructions before a tight layover.
- John F. Kennedy International Airport official website
- The Points Guy: JFK Terminal 6 preview
- The Traveler: JFK's New Terminal One opening pushed to early 2027
Read how we collect and check this data, or tell us if something's out of date.
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