A historic airport construction project is underway at one of the busiest airports in the United States.
For the past couple years, New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) has been undergoing a complete, $19 billion transformation. The sweeping project includes more than 4 million square feet of new space, with two massive totally rebuilt terminals and an additional two terminals that will be refreshed and modernized.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the project is the $9.5 billion new Terminal One, which will replace the former Terminal 1, as well as the former Terminal 2 and 3. It’s scheduled to start opening in phases from 2026, with the last phase debuting by 2030. When completed, the new Terminal One will be the largest standalone airport terminal in the United States, offering 23 gates across a total of 2.6 million square feet of space.
The brand new $4.2 billion Terminal 6 will measure 1.2 million square feet of space with 10 gates across the former footprint of the old Terminal 6 and 7. The first phase of the new Terminal 6 is also slated to debut sometime in 2026.
But all of those swanky new improvements don’t come without at least a few headaches for travelers. The major issue for passengers heading to JFK is more complicated ground transportation amid the construction sites.
Multiple detours and new pick-up and drop-off points are adding significant amounts of time to JFK commutes.
Traffic heading to and from JFK has been seriously disrupted since at least early summer 2025, when the Port Authority began advising travelers not to drive to the airport but to opt for public transit instead.
Here’s what travelers coming to or from the airport should know, based on the latest traffic advisories from airport officials.
Drivers dropping off or picking up passengers
As of October 2025, the airport launched a new permanent roadway configuration for Terminal 5 and 7. “If you’re traveling via the Van Wyck Expressway, be sure to follow the updated signs to the new exit,” an alert from the airport says. The alert also advises travelers to know their terminal before heading to the airport. “Routes are different, and you’ll need to take the correct road earlier.”
To access Terminal 8, drivers must now use the JFK Expressway. Look for signs to direct you along the way.
Traffic shifts around Terminal 4 in October have made it accessible only by the Van Wyck Expressway. Drivers entering the airport via the JFK Expressway will be directed to Exit A to connect to the Van Wyck Expressway, according to an airport traffic alert. “This new route is approximately 1.5 miles longer than the previous route and drivers should allow additional time for reaching their terminal destination,” the alert says.
In order to help drivers avoid the worst of the traffic and detours, the airport has opened up a special drop-off/pick-up lot at the Lefferts Blvd AirTrain stop. The drop-off/pick-up point is a free eight-minute AirTrain ride to and from the terminals, according to a release, “which is much better than navigating congested roadways near the terminals,” the airport says.
Ride-share apps like Uber and Lyft
Ride-share app pickups for Terminal 5 and 7 have been moved to a distant satellite lot. The temporary pickup lot is located at the JFK AirTrain Howard Beach stop. Travelers can take the AirTrain for free from the arrivals terminal to the Howard Beach stop in order to hail an Uber or Lyft ride. There are also free, 24-hour shuttle buses available to take passengers from the arrivals terminal to the pickup lot. Once at the Howard Beach lot, passengers can order a ride-share through their apps as usual.
How to avoid the traffic around JFK
Travelers departing from JFK, especially during the holidays, should plan to leave extra early to accommodate the ongoing construction. The old rule of thumb is to arrive at least two hours before a domestic flight and at least three hours before an international flight. Adhere to that guidance, especially during the holidays, and consider adding additional buffer time, too.
Additionally, passengers should consider taking public transit to avoid the traffic issues. One option is to take the subway to the JFK AirTrain. The A train runs to the Howard Beach AirTrain stop and the E, J, and Z trains run to the Jamaica AirTrain stop. Another option is to take the Long Island Railroad to Jamaica from Grand Central Madison, Penn Station, or Atlantic Terminal.
Once at Howard Beach or Jamaica, travelers can pay the $8.50 AirTrain fare and ride to all of the airport’s terminals.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
