NEW YORK JFK AIRPORT   Passenger Reviews and Customer opinions

NEW YORK JFK AIRPORT review :  10 March 2009 : by Adam Rappaport

Customer Rating : 4/5

Terminal 5 - Jetblue Terminal. Best selection of restaurants in a US terminal. Free Wi-Fi. Great take-out food, with the opportunity to have food to go delivered to you at the gate! Easy to navigate! Architecturally, ok!

NEW YORK JFK AIRPORT review :  28 October 2008 : by John Oram

Customer Rating : 3/5

JFK probably is not significantly different to other US aiRports but I am going to keep on posting similar comments until something filters through to the ghastly DHS. So much of what is done at security where there were avoidable delays again today is cosmetic, futile and politically motivated. It has very little to do with keeping people safe and everything to do with what looks good even it does keep people waiting around in stockinged feet. There has never been a convincing argument for removing shoes and the DHS/TSA are clearly oblivious to the physical effort this requires for some. Laptops no longer need to be removed from bags at LHR but JFK clings on to another pointless process. At least we left at a good time of the day and, after the delays inflicted on us by Delta, were quickly airborneL.

NEW YORK JFK AIRPORT review :  7 October 2008 : by Davron Mirsagatov

Customer Rating : 3/5

I had an early flight from JFK to Houston at 6:00 am from terminal 7, and I am a tourist so when I bought ticket we were told that we should arrive two and haul hours before flight. So I arrived at 4am to JFK to terminal 7 and it was closed! We were told to wait in terminal 4, because it was chilly outside. When they opened terminal we had to wait another 20-25 minutes when counter agents arrived, overall security checking process was smooth. Overall terminal 7 was clean and nice with few options to do within terminal.

NEW YORK JFK AIRPORT review : 2 September 2008 : by Gary Marsh

Customer Rating : 2/5

What a nasty airport to arrive in. T7. The immigration officer was rud, enjoying letting you know she had the power to deny you entry. Its incomprehensible that there is such a delay in the immigration process bearing in mind all personal information is provided by you to the airline for the immigration service and also having completed the new Travel Authorisation to the United States online with the US department of Homeland security. Why is it still taking so long to get through this ghastly airport. A bit of a humdrum typical boring airport certainly nothing outstanding to comment on.

NEW YORK JFK AIRPORT review : 27 August 2008 : by Brian Smith

Customer Rating : 3/5

Connected from Terminal 1 to 8 and back again this past trip. That is from an international terminal to the American terminal. Easy enough to do and there were clear signs. American's terminal is huge and has a lot to offer. Basically I felt it was an OK experience and better than what I had to endure at ORD, but not as easy as IAD (as IAD is smaller). The only complaint would be the distance to walk between these terminals and the security situation. TSA in the American terminal was really frustrating as there was only one ID checker and a queue for the x-ray and the actual screening. I counted 10 people and FA cutting in front of me with their staff ID. When the line is as slow as it is, it was really annoying, especially after a long flight. It made my wait really long. I finally told them to cut behind me as I'd had 10 in front already and they just reminded me they were staff. I reminded them that, "Oh, I guess you're more important, though I'm the one paying the bills." If they could make a line just for staff and crew, that would be the best solution to this problem.

NEW YORK JFK AIRPORT review : 15 August 2008 : by S Jones

Customer Rating : 1/5

Arriving at JFK was fine and the immigration queues were not as bad as I had feared. Unfortunately, the immigration officer I dealt with was most unpleasant. Here is my advice, fill in your Visa Waver form correctly before getting to the desk. I omitted to fill in one section of the Visa Waver form, it was thrust back at me with the comment 'so many visits and you still get it wrong'. How unprofessional. After I had been sent back like a naughty schoolgirl to add the two lines I had left out, he stamped my passport and slammed it on the desk and snarled 'Welcome to the US'. It's a good job the rest of the US is not like that. Surely it is possible to be courteous and still be on alert for security issues? Unfortunately, my experience of JFK is that most of the staff are disinterested in their jobs and their customers to the point of being rude. If you are leaving from Terminal 4, do not expect good facilities beyond security. Seating is limited and there is only a small bar/restaurant as well as a few concessions. There is limited seating at the gates too. Had I known this I would not have gone through security so early as pre-security looked a lot better. I had expected a departure lounge like Gatwick but was disappointed.

NEW YORK JFK AIRPORT review : 15 August 2008 : by A Stubbs

Customer Rating : 4/5

Flew out of terminal 4 on a Virgin Atlantic flight to London Heathrow. Very impressed with this terminal. Security queue was minimal which was good, however the person who checks your boarding passes prior to joining the queue for security was very unpleasant to a group of Spanish people who didnt appear to be doing anything wrong. Duty Free Shops impressive. Boarding swift and efficient. The airport is great, the airfield operations leave a lot to be desired!

NEW YORK JFK AIRPORT review : 7 August 2008 : by Jorgen Aberg

Customer Rating : 2/5

ew York JFK Airport There is nothing really bad about this place. It is just that they have too much attitude! We checked in at terminal 7, and the agents were really so incredibly bored and demotivated. Much to our dismay, this performance was stellar compared to that of TSA at security. They have failed to impress me so far at any airport in the US, but this was really scary. This was not a security check, this was more like a circus! It leaves a bad taste in your mouth, which is a shame considering that NYC is such a great destination.

New York JFK Airport review by S Gardner

4 June 2008   Customer Rating :

Terminal 8 American Airlines - services are terrible in this terminal - only one small bar for the whole airport before security. Nowhere to sit down if you don't want to go through security immediately. Finding the international check in is a nightmare.

New York JFK Airport review by Riccardo Cerutti

28 May 2008   Customer Rating :

I have always used terminal 4, which is the best one in the airport. There is a lot of light, tons of shops, bars and restaurants. But, as it's an American airport, queues to the customs are very long.

New York JFK Airport review by J Fletcher

19 May 2008   Customer Rating :

JFK terminal 8 (American Airlines). Check in was a nightmare - endless queues, less than polite staff, and then had to literally run to the gate to get on plane - not a pleasant experience at all

New York JFK Airport review by Peter Gordon

4 April 2008   Customer Rating :

International flights to/from Terminal 7 (BA). This is a pleasant terminal, but can only really cope with one flight arriving at once. We arrived at the same time as another flight resulting in long queues, but at least they moved fast. As throughout the airport the staff were all polite, and I was out of the terminal in 50 minutes. Outbound was fine, although like Heathrow it is becoming more like a shopping mall. Domestic flights to/from Terminal 3. Outbound, whilst the flight started showing on time we ended up being 150 minutes late into Chicago, partly awaiting crew and partly waiting to take off. Whilst many airports cannot cope with poor weather, I seem to get delayed at JFK in quite good weather. It is clear that some form of slot control need to be introduced. On return arrival was a little chaotic with one belt not working and slow baggage delivery. (Delta is usually very good here). I also used the airtrain. This is basically very good, but a little infrequent off peak, requiring a ten minute wait for a two car train usually full of airport staff. Would it be possible to run shorter trains every four to five minutes? Sort out runway delays and I would happily award a fourth star.

New York JFK Airport review by H Jans

28 March 2008   Customer Rating :

We took the AirTrain (5$, free at Newark) to Terminal 8 and although the track has a double rail set the train only operates in one direction. Terminal 8 has a rather sterile look but it is clean though. Avoid buying a pizza at Abitino's at the small food plaza. Customers were treated with great disrespect. The man at the counter swears at almost every customer. Better bring your own food or go next door to MacDonald's!

New York JFK Airport review by S Srinivasan

21 January 2008   Customer Rating :

Recently connected through JFK from BOM using Delta. Delta has their own dedicated terminal, including customs/immigration clearance, which helps make for a much smoother, streamlined process (as long as you're domestic connection is also on Delta). Our flight from BOM arrived early AM, so immigration, customs, and baggage transfer took no time at all. Delta has a separate security checkpoint for international transfers immediately after baggage transfer, which makes the process much faster than other airports, where you have to exit the international terminal and then transfer to a completely separate terminal. The security/baggage transfer personnel were a bit rude, though. The overall look and feel of the terminal was decent, if not outstanding. It was clean, and there are a fair number of shops/restaurants to choose from. However, the "satellite" area that holds Gates 16-30 could still use some work. It looks old, and there were birds flying around and bothering people sitting in the waiting areas.

New York JFK Airport review by A Simons

15 January 2008   Customer Rating :

Flew from JFK (Jetblue terminal) to Orlando. There are a large number of food outlets for you to purchase food before your flight (to eat in or takeaway) however a distinct lack of any shopping facilities. Apparently Jetblue is building a new terminal which promises to overcome these shortcomings. Was impressed with the lack of queues in this terminal and checkin was also fairly quick. Overall a smooth experience.

New York JFK Airport review by L Braun

13 January 2008   Customer Rating :

Arrived from Moscow JFK Terminal 3. To get to the passport line took 50 minutes to disembark and tramp underneath and around the entire terminal. We were forced to walk down and back up escalators that weren't working (I was told they were new!). I asked a security person where we could find the elevator - there were none. Passport line required only about 20 minutes, baggage was waiting for us on the carousel, but it took another 45 minutes to recheck my luggage and get through a single security checkpoint to re-enter the terminal. Signage to connecting gates was confusing. The terminal looked much better than last time, but the journey to get through passport control was brutal. Unless you have 3 or 4 hours for a connection, do not use terminal 3 at JFK.

New York JFK Airport review by S Walker

13 January 2008   Customer Rating :

After a two centre holiday in Las Vegas and New York not much to choose between any of the USA airports. The treatment from staff not at all friendly or welcoming. Increased security does not have to mean increased rudeness. I even saw an elderly couple at JFK spoken to very sharply in tears. No wonder there is a drop in the number of people entering the USA for holidays.

New York JFK Airport review by Trevor Rands

28 November 2007   Customer Rating :

Arrived at JFK after horrendous flight mess at London Heathrow because it was claimed by pilot that USA had not cleared Virgin to take in passengers. Due to this we arrived two hours late into JFK to face that long, long tramp through those corridors to Passport Check/Immigration/Baggage recovery. A "killer" for disabled folk or those in poor health. We joined the multi zig-zag lines of very tired and exhausted passengers (poor, hot, stuffy atmosphere all around, too!) waiting to be greeted(!) by the Immigration Officers - although not before we had been ominously "shouted at", three times, by three separate announcements. When the young female officer called us up we had to be fingerprinted then suddenly mugshotted. Eventually she stamped our passports, smiled a bitter and twisted smile and wished us a happy time. We had queued for this rigmarole for perhaps, thirty minutes. Our abiding recollection of JFK airport is that particular rudeness. Traveller. Be prepared!

New York JFK Airport review by Matt Battersby

14 November 2007   Customer Rating :

Flew into Terminal 8 with AA on new route from London Stansted 8 November. Queue for foreigners at immigration over 90 minutes; lots of space but lots of empty booths. Bags piled up on floor of baggage hall waiting. Return - excellent check in. Curbside to airside in record times. Terminal spacious, airy. Great experience... until flight delayed 2 hours plus due to malfunction of new baggage system in the terminal delaying all outbounds.

New York JFK Airport review by Peter Harrison

12 November 2007   Customer Rating :

I arrived at Terminal 9 on a delayed flight from San Francisco at about 23:00. I was expecting to be able to get a taxi quite easily for my transfer to Manhattan. The queue was enormous and very few cabs on the rank. If you are unsure about using public transport in a strange city then my recommendation is that you prebook transfers and arrange to be met at arrivals. On my return I booked the airport shuttle to take me from my hotel. Even so the journey took just under 2 hours as a result of stops en route and very heavy traffic. Flying out of Terminal 7 was OK. Some improvement works happening at the moment but should be complete in the near future.

New York JFK Airport review by J Ludewig

9 November 2007   Customer Rating :

First time experience in Deltas new Business Elite Terminal. Very short checkin times, attractive lounge and fairly short distance walks. The only negative point would be the lack of a duty free shop. All good. Way better than the other Delta terminal.

New York JFK Airport review by Louis Chong

23 October 2007   Customer Rating :

This is seriously a traveller's nightmare. Flights are often delayed. Terminal facilities are limited. Immigration queues are very long for foreigners, unless you are its green card holder. Try to land at Newark as much as possible because of faster queues and flights are more punctual.

New York JFK Airport review by Martin Lees

19 October 2007   Customer Rating :

Arrived at Terminal 7 with BA from Manchester to find the customs queue was rapid for US citizens and torturously long if you were a UK passport holder. Most of the customs cubicles were closed. Departed on 14th October back to Manchester and spent 1 hour 35 minutes taxiing for a 7 hour flight because idiots at JFK traffic control decided that one runway was good enough for both flights landing and taking off.

New York JFK Airport review by D Silverstone

4 October 2007   Customer Rating :

Your experience will be entirely dependent on what terminal you're flying through, and whether you have to transfer between them. Terminals 4, 9, and the soon to be opened 5 are the most modern and efficient. Terminal 3 is horribly antiquated and due to be replaced. The remainder are servicable, but none quite rise to JFK's status as the main entry point to the USA. The AirTrain system should be no problem for anyone who can read a map -- and even a map shouldn't be necessary if you speak and read English fluently. It's very simple -- the inside loop goes in a circle, and stops at all terminals, over and over again. The outside loop goes in the opposite direction, and after terminals 8/9 will go to parking lots and public transportation. Word of advice - though the connection to the "A" train sounds most intuitive, it's actually the slowest connection to the city, especially if you're going to midtown. I recommend taking the AirTrain to Jamaica and transferring to the E train. It is very fast in queens, and goes right to midtown. Taking the Long Island RailRoad from Jamaica is even faster, but limits you to going straight into Penn Station. Driving/Taxi - be prepared for the unexpected. Construction, accidents, and traffic can combine to make this either a 30 minute trip or a 3 hour trip, and anywhere in between. If you're not familiar with the area, do your best to familiarize yourself well in advance of driving. Many of the highways in the NYC area can be confusing even to locals, with multiple possible routes, and very short ramps/heads-up before exits/exchanges.

New York JFK Airport review by S Blackburn

21 September 2007   Customer Rating :

Flew into the new AA terminal on what the purser on our flight proudly announced was its first day handling a full AA schedule (Sun 16 Sep). It appears well up to the job - bright, light and modern. Airtrain to the subway via the car hire centres is excellent and compared to the cost of public transport in the UK $5 is well worth paying; also nice to see that they've left room for future expansion. Left on BA out of T7 which needs more seating around the gates - in mitigation, areas appeared to be closed off for refurbing. Both journies were at off-peak times so no problems with taxiing; an article in the FT this week said this was getting worse at peak times because airlines could pretty much schedule flights when they wanted since a law change, so the peaks are getting worse.

New York JFK Airport review by P Lister

28 August 2007   Customer Rating :

Arrived at the new American Airlines Terminal 9 on Saturday 11th of August from LHR. Immigration and passport control took well over 1 hour, the queue for non USA nationals was very badly managed whilst the queue for USA nationals was cleared very quickly partly because they were taking people out of that queue and letting them use the officers processing non US nationals. Flights from Sierra Leone and Haiti had arrived just before us and these passengers were taken ages to process. Took well over 1 hour from landing to getting our luggage. On exiting the terminal we headed for the Yellow cabs which are across the road in front of the terminal, we were approached by a person asking if we wanted a taxi. We told him where we wanted to go to and told us to follow a driver. Unfortunately he wasn't a yellow cab driver and subsequently ended paying $90 ($75 fare plus toll plus tip) to Times Square. These drivers aren't illegal but they just charge twice as much as yellow cab drivers, he said the toll from the Queens-Midtown tunnel was $10 when it is actually $4.50. Our return journey by yellow cab was $55. Be aware make sure you approach the driver in his car. AA are now using a brand new terminal 9 at JFK for all but a handful of flights and it is a superb terminal. We were airside for about 5 hours as we were transiting from Bermuda back to LHR. The terminal is spacious, it never felt crowded, easy to find your way around. There is a good selection of places to eat and drink and shops dotted all around but it doesn't feel like a shopping centre masquerading as an airport unlike London Heathrow Terminal 3.

New York JFK Airport review by P Simpson

9 August 2007   Customer Rating :

Illogical, jumbled up design. Arrived and departed from Terminal One with Maxjet and the usual problems. Awful arrival with an almost 2 hour wait at immigration whereby we were harrassed and quizzed by the miserable immigration officers (why does wearing a gun give people a sense of superiority ?). Getting to the car hire site is a feat of endurance - there are no signs - we asked at the desk laughably referred to as "Customer Service" and the elderly lady had no idea. Eventually after asking people in the shops and taxi drivers found the car hire site situated 20 minutes away by air train. A tortuous experience after a long flight. Departure was worse. Security is a joke with endless queues being badgered by over zealous, uniformed nobodies insisting that bags are kept "to your right only" - why? The departure lounge plumbs new depths with huge queues at the two identical food stalls selling over priced, horrible junk food whilst being insulted by rude staff. The other ludicrous aspect of this terminal is the choice of shops - the average joe in JFK does not necessarily want Hermes or Mont Blanc and yet it's elitist shops like this that abound in the airport. The shops, unsurprisingly, have absolutely nobody inside. Awful airport and one to be avoided at all cost.

New York JFK Airport review by John Oram

6 June 2007   Customer Rating :

Imagine a complex motorway interchange like Gravelly Hill (Spaghetti Junction) and some terminals placed coincidentally around it and, if you have never been there, you will imagine JFK. It is a mess under constant construction and this is the image it has presented to me for the twenty years I have been going there. Casting a professional eye over its operations although I am of course no expert on local details, I am always horrified by its Ground Movement Control. We spent 25 mins waiting to cross 22L some of those blocked from crossing by traffic on the other side of the runway. The only advantage of this delay was that a gate became free instead of the anticipated remote stand. Immigration was fantastic. There was not one person in line when we arrived and the staff were quite pleasant. They seemed more relaxed. Baggage delivery was fair. There was no line for the taxi. Less than 48hrs later, departing for SFO, T9 presented an attractive enough image from the outside but still is not complete inside. Surprisingly, given the American enthusiasm for undressing at security and rounding up all those dangerous diet sodas, they have now decided not to re-check photo ID at the gates. Are we seeing an outbreak of common sense? Not for the first time we were given the longest possible taxi to the departure runway, spending 40mins on the ground before getting any closer to San Francisco. JFK/LGA/EWR are aware of this type of problem - they have to get it sorted out.

New York JFK Airport review by Tony Dangerland

1 May 2007   Customer Rating :

Flew into JFK Terminal 8 from LHR. I haven't used T8 for years and I think they (either AA or Airport Authority) haven't spent a dime on the place. Urgent repairs are required throughout the terminal, gaping holes are in the ceiling allowing water to come streaming in during the rain, carpet is well worn, lighting is non existent, seating for waiting passengers is extremely limited, need I go on. Immigration queues crawl along at an unbearable speed (3 officers to process non US citizens). Upon using the same terminal for departure back to London I can't say the experience was any better. I thought LAX was bad but JFK T8 is in a class of its own! Not a pleasant experience.

New York JFK Airport review by Ken Medina

26 March 2007   Customer Rating :

Flew into JFK on 3/23/07 from Orlando for a connector to Boston. We found that the airport was filthy with dirty walls stained carpets and trash everywhere. This airport doesn't deserve the "JFK" as it's name sake.

New York JFK Airport review by S Michaelson

20 March 2007   Customer Rating :

And I thought LAX was bad. I agree with Kuhan Kandiah in that the signage is almost non-existant. We came in on terminal 3, dirty, birds (yes, birds) inside flying everywhere, had to take the Airtrain to terminal 4. No signs at all, had to ask the staff for help. I was told there is "always" staff at the Airtrain to help. Not true. On the way back, there was no one and people kept running from one side to another trying to figure out which train to take. Our flight was 30 minutes early and we had to wait 45 minutes for the baggage to show up. Someone said that they work on a schedule to unload and if your flight is early, they will just unload it when the plane was supposed to arrive. When we got to the baggage claim, it looked like they had unloaded two planes and left the baggage everywhere on the floor. There was no room to move and it was packed. Avoid this airport if at all possible.

New York JFK Airport review by Kuhan Kandiah
26 January 2007

Flew via terminal 3 (DL) but got lost from the Air Train terminal at Terminal 2/3 to the domestic terminal for DELTA. No proper signage and its very un-disable-friendly if you are coming in by the Air Train arrival at Terminal 2/3. Reasonable airport with reasonable service levels but can be better for an international airport.

New York JFK Airport review by G Lazaro
19 January 2007

Arrived and departed from Terminal 7, the British Airways Terminal, on flights from and to Tokyo/Narita on ANA. Not an inviting welcome to the city on arrival via long, narrow corridors leading up to Immigration. As a US citizen, I passed through immigration in about 15 minutes. With a quick pass through immigration, bags seemingly took longer than expected to come out. On departure, not much to do before security, so if you're waiting with people, it can get a bit boring. Would've been nice to have even one food stand in the waiting area. Security wasn't too harsh a wait on a Sunday morning. Typical mall food court setup with some cafes and a McDonalds in the gate area with more than a fair share of NYC souvenir shops. The check-in and gate areas were clean and seemed to be well-maintained. Didn't notice any internet terminals, but that's always a plus these days. Overall an unremarkable experience at JFK 7.

New York JFK Airport review by Dave Feehan
12 October 2006

Used JFK Terminal 3 on flight to Manchester. Having had a peek at the gate lounges on arrival, to say it needs a lick of paint is an understatement. Leaking ceilings (and exposed wires in leaking areas), dirty carpets. Didn't look the nicest. Having had to stay in it when waiting for my return flight reinforces the point. The international check-in area certainly needs a bit of work on it. Very crowded areas in check in and security check area was cramped and over-crowded. Slight improvement once airside but they really need to spend some money doing the place up. Overall, could do better as its not the best advertisement for NYC (if JFK really is "where America welcomes the world," they must not like us very much!)

New York JFK Airport review by Jeff Pug
10 October 2006

JFK Terminal 9. Departures: Quick check in & bag drop using automated kiosks. Security line moved efficiently. Could use more food options post security, but a pleasant terminal and better than the old Terminal 9 or the current Terminal 8. Free WiFi would be nice. Arrivals: Baggage Claim is horrendous. Had to wait 30 minutes for luggage, that's after deplaning & making the long walk from the course to baggage claim. Also poorly signed as to which carousel would have luggage. I think that this is an American Airlines issue as I've had similar issues with AA's baggage handling at LGA, SAN, & SFO as well with long delays and poor direction as to which carousel it'd be on.