Ongoing construction at JFK - I am seeking reports/input on current (September 2022) experiences of people transferring from terminal 4 to terminal 1. Later this month, if my flight arrives from Chicago on time, I will have 2 hours and 11 minutes to get from the arrival gate in T4 to the departure gate in T1. My direct flight to Paris was cancelled so I must now connect at JFK. I'm arriving on Republic Air (ranked worst earlier this year for lost/delayed luggage until American bumped them to second worst in July). I depart JFK on Air France, a member of Skyteam with Delta and KLM. I have read that Delta's "Jitney" at JFK only connects T4 with T2, not with T1. My first question is how do I get from T4 to T1 and second, what are the chances that my luggage will make it onto the Air France plane?
Posted by
Hudson Valley
2267 posts
Your luggage should be checked through, and while there are outlying possibilities, the statistics dictate a very, very high probability of absolutely nothing going wrong.
2h10m is plenty of time to take the AirTrain from T4 to T1 and then clear security. I don’t think I’d be nervous about it until I had half that time.
Posted by
New York, NY
3996 posts
I am more concerned about YOU making the flight. This itinerary worries me. I would reschedule and you have the freedom to make a change since they canceled your original flight.
This itinerary is loaded with risk as you will need to take the AIRTRAIN outside of security to get to T1 and then go through security AGAIN. JFK is my home airport and I allow 3 hours when I fly internationally. This itinerary is a stress inducer even if your inbound JFK flight is on time and there is no guarantee of that either.
I recommend you consider changing to a much earlier connecting flight to JFK to allow for the 3 hours you will need at T1 security for Air France or see what time the Delta flight(s) depart for Paris and stay in T4. Even if your inbound JFK flight lands at T2 which is always possible, you have the jitney to shuttle you across to T4. You will not need to go through security again.
Posted by
Freedonia
14987 posts
The Airtrain connects terminals. It is found as you exit the terminal (follow the signs.)
There are two Airtrains. One makes an oval journey between terminals. This is the one you want. The other Airtrain also goes to each terminal but instead of circling back around it first goes to Federal Circle and then Jamaica Station. You definitely don't want that one. They depart from different sides of the platform and are well marked. There is usually someone there to help if you need it.
As stated earlier, if this is on one ticket, your luggage should be checked through from Chicago to Paris. Make sure a Paris (CDG) luggage tag is put on it.
If you arrive at T4, regional jets usually get the furthest gates from the main part of the terminal and it is a long......long.......long walk. It might be faster, if you are at one of the furthest terminals, to take the jitney to the other end of the terminal. Do not get at T2 thinking it will be closer. The Airtrain station is closed. And it goes in the other direction anyway.
Posted by
OP
Illinois
162 posts
Experiences through JFK may vary depending on the day of the week and arrival/departure times. Scudder’s advice is reassuring that my 2 hour 11 minute connection time is sufficient. Continental’s post to advise a minimum of 3 hours to connect gives me reason to consider making changes. Yes Frank, it is a one ticket booking so luggage is checked through to CDG. Good to know that if I arrive at the far end of T4, I can take the Jitney at gate B54 to B18 and be closer to the Airtrain access. Thank you for pointing out to take the Airtrain loop within JFK and avoid the line going to Federal Circle, Jamaica and Howard Beach. For now I’m going to stick with my booking as is. I’ve found that Air France has 4 more flights after mine to Paris and Delta has 2. That’s 6 later options if I miss my 4:30pm flight out of JFK. Thank you all for providing helpful tips to navigate JFK terminals.