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If you’re flying on American Airlines from JFK, then you will be flying from JFK Terminal 8. American runs this terminal along with its oneworld partners. So, you can find carriers like Qantas, British Airways, and Cathay Pacific here. Alaska Airlines, part of the oneworld alliance, also shifted its operations to this terminal from Terminal 7 in October 2025.
Currently, the terminal is undergoing a $125 million redevelopment, adding more dining and shopping options. A terminal building spanning approximately 1.6 million square feet can be confusing, especially if you haven’t flown out of there recently. Two concourses, dozens of gates, and a list of lounges and shops that keep changing mean even frequent flyers can feel perplexed.
Which airlines fly out of Terminal 8? What about the terminal security wait times? Where should you park, and how can you get to another terminal if you’re connecting? Our JFK Terminal 8 guide covers it all, so you know what to expect before you even leave for the airport!
Terminal 8 features 31 gates sprawling across Concourses B and C. The facility operates across three main levels. Baggage claim, international customs, and ground transportation are located in Level 1. Level 2 features the walkway connecting to the AirTrain station. You can locate the central security checkpoint and check-in counters at Level 3, opening directly into Concourse B.
Concourse B features Gates 1 to 20, along with the main shopping and dining options. To reach Gates 31 to 47 in Concourse C, you must take the underground tunnel equipped with moving walkways located between Gates 12 and 14. Walking from the main security checkpoint to the Concourse C end takes about 6 to 8 minutes.
The terminal opened as a dedicated hub for American Airlines in 1960. As the passenger traffic and flight volume increased over the years, American Airlines initiated a $1.3 bn redevelopment program to streamline its operations in the early 2000s. The original building and the nearby Terminal 9 were demolished to construct the current Terminal 8 facility.
In 2022, JFK Terminal 8 again underwent a major overhaul as part of the $400 million joint investment by British Airways and American Airlines. As part of the facelift, the baggage systems and check-in areas were upgraded, resulting in the addition of new lounges to house British Airways as the airline relocated from JFK Terminal 7. Today, Terminal 8 is one of the most active terminals at JFK and serves as the primary hub for the oneworld alliance.
Terminal 8 at JFK is the primary hub for American Airlines and serves as the main home for the oneworld alliance. Following major facility developments, British Airways relocated its entire flight schedule from Terminal 7 to here, joining other main international carriers like Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Japan Airlines, and Qatar Airways.
The terminal also manages the operations for main domestic and international partners, like Alaska Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and LEVEL. As Terminal 8 is built completely around the oneworld alliance, it’s the best terminal at JFK for same-alliance connections without needing to exit the building.
| Airlines at JFK Terminal 8 | |
|---|---|
| Alaska Airlines | Hawaiian Airlines |
| American Airlines | Iberia |
| British Airways | Japan Airlines |
| Cathay Pacific | LEVEL |
| China Southern Airlines | Qantas |
| Finnair | Qatar Airways |
| GOL Linhas Aéreas | Royal Jordanian |
Typically, the TSA wait times at this terminal can range between 10 and 15 minutes. However, this can surge to 20 minutes or more during peak travel periods like the late afternoon and early evening departures. If you are enrolled in TSA PreCheck and don’t want to wait long in line, you can use the dedicated TSA PreCheck lane, where the wait time can be under 5 minutes.
The walk time from the security checkpoint to your gate depends on the concourse from which you are flying out. Gates 1 to 10 in Concourse B are close to the security area, taking around 2 to 5 minutes to reach, whereas Gates 12 through 20 require a quick 2 to 4 minute walk. If your flight is departing from Concourse C, you must pass via the underground connector tunnel located between Gates 12 and 14; walk times to Gates 31 to 41 from the security checkpoint range from 6 to 12 minutes, whereas reaching Gates 42 to 47 takes about 6 to 8 minutes.
The wait times can vary depending on the day and time of your travel. So, always check the live JFK TSA wait times before you head to the airport.
These are some of the facilities that you can find in Terminal 8 at JFK.
Terminal 8 Red Garage is the onsite parking garage offering parking near the terminal. The parking rates start at $4 for the first 30 minutes and can go up to a maximum of $74 a day. As the Green and Orange garages are currently closed, passengers flying out of JFK Terminal 1 or Terminal 7 can park their cars in the Red Garage. So, expect the garage to fill up quickly, especially during peak travel periods.
For cheaper onsite long-term JFK parking options, you can park your car in the Long-Term Parking or Federal Circle Station lots. Parking at these lots can cost you a maximum of $55 a day. Though the lots are far from all the JFK Airport terminals, you can use the AirTrain to connect to your terminal. If you are looking for the cheapest parking rates at JFK, then it is best that you reserve parking at any of the offsite lots nearby. Offsite JFK Airport parking rates start as low as $7 a day.
Premium lounges sprawl across both concourses, so you’re never far from a lounge. In Concourse B, you can locate the Soho, Chelsea, and Greenwich lounges on Level 3. You can reach these lounges by elevators close to the main security exit. There is also an American Airlines Admirals Club in Concourse C, close to Gate 42.
| Lounge | Terminal 8 location |
|---|---|
| Admirals Club | Concourse C, Level 3 |
| Chelsea Lounge | Concourse B, Level 3 |
| Greenwich Lounge | Concourse B, Level 3 |
| Minute Suites | Concourse C, Level 3 |
| Soho Lounge | Concourse B, Level 3 |
Terminal 8 has many dining and shopping options spread across Concourses B and C, including sit-down restaurants, grab-and-go restaurants, and the typical travel essentials. You can grab a coffee, try some local New York cuisine, or do some last-minute shopping for electronics, duty-free, or luxury items. You can find most of the shopping options in the main Concourse B atrium after security, with more newsstands and dining options in Concourse C.
Here are a few dining and shopping options in the terminal:
| Name | Location | Type |
|---|---|---|
| alchemy | Near Gate 8 | Shopping |
| Beauty on 5th Duty Free | The Great Hall | Shopping |
| BKLYN Shopping Duty Free | Near Gate 42 | Shopping |
| Boss | Main Concourse | Shopping |
| Breitling | Main Concourse | Shopping |
| Connoisseur Collection | Near The Great Hall | Shopping |
| Hudson | Multiple locations | Shopping |
| natchie | Near Gate 8 | Shopping |
| Alidoro | Gates 39 and 41 | Food |
| Bagel Boss | Near Food Hall | Food |
| BKLYN Blend | Near Gate 12 | Food |
| Black Star Bakery & Cafe | Near Food Hall | Food |
| Eataly | Multiple locations | Food |
| Pret A Manger | Multiple locations | Food |
| Guy Fieri’s Flavortown | Near Food Hall | Food |
| Starbucks | Near Gate 14 / Concourse C | Food |
The pickup area for both rideshare services and taxis is located at the arrivals level curbside. Unlike JFK Terminal 4, JFK Terminal 5, and Terminal 7, the pickup location hasn’t changed for Terminal 8.
To get to any other terminal from Terminal 8, you must use the AirTrain via the walkway. The terminal isn’t connected to any other terminal via the airside. So, take the AirTrain and reach your destination terminal, and then clear security again.
Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Southern Airlines, Finnair, GOL Linhas Aéreas, Hawaiian Airlines, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LEVEL, Qantas, Qatar Airways, and Royal Jordanian are the airlines that operate from Terminal 8 at JFK.
For domestic flights, you must arrive at Terminal 8 at least two hours before the scheduled departure time. For international flights, you must arrive at least three hours before the flight time. Add an extra 30 minutes to this suggested time if you are traveling during peak travel periods.
No, you cannot walk from JFK Terminal 4 to Terminal 8, as there are no indoor pedestrian walkways connecting these terminals. To travel to Terminal 8, you can use the free AirTrain.
Terminal 8 at JFK has 31 gates spread across two main concourses, B and C.
Yes, there are over 40 eateries that offer dining options at Terminal 8 at JFK. Most of the dining options are in Concourse C.
