Look, nobody actually wants to spend more time at John F. Kennedy International Airport than they absolutely have to. It's huge. It’s loud. And if you’re trying to get from jfk terminal 5 to terminal 4, it can feel like you're trying to navigate a small city while carrying your entire life in a rolling suitcase.
Terminal 5 is JetBlue’s sleek, modern home, built right next to the iconic TWA Flight Center. Terminal 4, on the other hand, is the massive international powerhouse where Delta and dozens of global carriers live. They aren't connected by a walkway. You can't just stroll over. If you try to walk along the service roads, you’ll probably be stopped by Port Authority police before you make it past the parking garages.
Getting between these two hubs is actually pretty straightforward once you ignore the frantic energy of the crowds. You're going to use the AirTrain. It's the circulatory system of JFK. It runs 24/7, and for a terminal-to-terminal transfer, it’s completely free. But here is the catch: you have to leave the "sterile" secure area. That means you're going through TSA again.
The Reality of the AirTrain Shuffle
The AirTrain is your best friend and occasionally your worst enemy. To get from jfk terminal 5 to terminal 4, you need to follow the green signs for "AirTrain" as soon as you deplane and grab your bags. In Terminal 5, the AirTrain station is a bit of a trek. You’ll head toward the back of the terminal, go across a skywalk that gives you a great view of the TWA Hotel’s rooftop pool, and take an escalator up.
Once you're on the platform, you need to pay attention to the train's destination. There are usually three lines: the Howard Beach line, the Jamaica Station line, and the All Terminals loop. For a quick jump to Terminal 4, any of them will technically work because they all stop at every terminal. Just make sure the train is heading in the direction of Terminal 4. Since the terminals are arranged in a rough circle, Terminal 4 is literally the next stop after Terminal 5. It takes about two minutes once you're on the tracks.
Seriously. Two minutes.
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But the "two minutes" is a lie when you factor in the "JFK tax" on your time. You might wait 10 minutes for a train. You might spend 15 minutes walking from your gate in T5 to the AirTrain station. Then, once you arrive at Terminal 4, you have to descend into the madness of the T4 departures level.
Why the Security Re-Check Changes Everything
This is where travelers get caught off guard. When you move from jfk terminal 5 to terminal 4, you are exiting the secure side of the airport. There is no "airside" shuttle between these two specific terminals.
If you’re connecting from a JetBlue flight to an international flight on Emirates, Singapore Airlines, or Delta in Terminal 4, you have to clear security at T4. Terminal 4 is notorious for its security lines. Even with TSA PreCheck or CLEAR, it can be a zoo. If you’re a standard traveler without those perks, you need to budget at least 45 to 60 minutes just for the security line during peak hours—usually late afternoon and early evening when the big international birds are prepping for departure.
Let's talk about bags. If you booked your trip on a single ticket (a "protected" connection), your bags should be checked through to your final destination. You won't see them at JFK. But if you booked two separate tickets to save a few bucks—maybe a cheap JetBlue flight into T5 and a separate deal out of T4—you have to go to baggage claim in T5, wait for your suitcase, drag it onto the AirTrain, and re-check it at the T4 counters. Honestly, it's a workout you didn't ask for.
Timing Your Move
How much time do you actually need? If I’m doing this, I want a minimum of three hours between flights.
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Anything less than two hours is basically a gamble where the house always wins. If your first flight is delayed by 20 minutes and the AirTrain is "experiencing delays" (which happens more than the Port Authority likes to admit), you are going to be sprinting.
- Deplaning and Walking (T5): 15–20 minutes.
- AirTrain Wait and Ride: 10–15 minutes.
- T4 Check-in/Baggage Drop: 20–40 minutes (if applicable).
- T4 Security Line: 30–60 minutes.
- Walking to Gate (T4 is huge): 10–15 minutes.
Terminal 4 is incredibly long. If your gate is at the end of the B-concourse, you’re looking at a half-mile walk from the security checkpoint. They have moving walkways, but they’re often crowded with people standing still.
The TWA Hotel Detour
If you have a massive layover—say, six hours or more—don't just sit on the floor in Terminal 4. Since you're already passing right by the TWA Hotel to get to the AirTrain at T5, stop in. It’s arguably the coolest thing at any airport in the world. You can grab a drink inside a converted 1958 Lockheed Constellation "Connie" airplane or sit in the sunken lounge and pretend it's 1962. It’s a great way to kill the stress of a long transit.
Just keep an eye on the clock. It's easy to lose track of time when you're sipping a martini in a mid-century time capsule.
What About the Delta-JetBlue Partnership?
Wait. Didn't JetBlue and Delta have some sort of agreement? No. You might be thinking of the "Northeast Alliance" between American Airlines and JetBlue, which was broken up by a judge a while back. Currently, JetBlue and Delta are fierce competitors.
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This matters because if you miss your connection in Terminal 4 because your JetBlue flight into Terminal 5 was late, Delta is under no legal obligation to put you on the next flight for free. You’re "self-connecting." That is the hidden danger of the jfk terminal 5 to terminal 4 trek. Always check if your airlines have a formal interline agreement. If they don't, you are essentially on your own if things go sideways.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't take the "JFK Terminal 5 to Terminal 4" shuttle bus if you see one advertised by a random guy in a vest. There isn't an official one for the general public. Stick to the AirTrain. It's elevated, it’s frequent, and it’s the official way to move.
Another tip: Terminal 4 has a secondary security checkpoint that is sometimes open for those with no checked bags. It’s tucked away and can save you twenty minutes if the main hall is backed up.
Also, watch the signage. The AirTrain stations are color-coded. Terminal 5 is yellow/green. Terminal 4 is green. If you accidentally get on a train headed toward Jamaica or Howard Beach, stay calm. You can get off at the first stop (Federal Circle) and catch the train heading back into the airport loop. It’ll cost you 15 minutes of your life, but you won't end up in Queens.
Practical Steps for a Smooth Transfer
- Check your gate while still on the plane. Use the airline’s app or the onboard Wi-Fi to see exactly where your Terminal 4 gate is. If it’s Gate B55, you’re in for a very long walk.
- Download the MyTSA App. It gives you crowdsourced and official wait times for the security checkpoints in T4. If it looks like a disaster, you'll know you need to move faster.
- Keep your ID and boarding pass accessible. Since you have to go through security again, don't bury these at the bottom of your "personal item" bag.
- Have your payment ready if you leave the airport. To be clear, the AirTrain is free between terminals. You only pay if you enter or exit at Jamaica or Howard Beach. So, for a T5 to T4 jump, you don't need to swipe a MetroCard or use OMNY.
- Use the restrooms in Terminal 5 before you leave. The T4 security area often has lines even for the bathrooms, and once you're on the AirTrain, you're in a "transit zone" with no facilities until you hit the next building.
The move from jfk terminal 5 to terminal 4 is less about distance and more about timing. The physical distance is less than a mile, but the bureaucratic distance—the security, the check-in, the crowds—is what gets you. If you treat it like a mini-journey rather than a quick skip, you’ll arrive at your gate with your blood pressure at a reasonable level. Focus on the signs, ignore the solicitors, and give yourself more time than you think you need.