JFK Terminal 4 Check-In: How to Navigate

NYC-JFK Airport, Terminal 4 Departures/Check In area is huge, and busy, and it's easy to get overwhelmed. This video takes you step by step on what to do so that your check-in process is a breeze! Don't let airport stress ruin your vacation.
The video focuses on 5 areas:
1. Entrance: Where to go once you enter the area
2. Check-in Rows: The fastest way to get your boarding pass and baggage tags
3. Restrooms and Chapels: Finding them before you go to security
4. Security: Know which line to use and the do's and don'ts
5. Concourses: Where to go and what to do

[stevenmines]

This video is a magnitude more helpful than any of the official Terminal 4 or Delta stuff online.

[kimhoffman]

So good - really appreciate all the effort that went in to making this video!

[Buc_Stops_Here]

I fly out of this terminal a lot, but I can see how this can be confusing to those who use it infrequently. Fly to Europe (mostly on Delta out of JFK) between three and 12 times a year. Using Delta on the far right and then paying for TSA precheck access, that saves a ton of time. Also I check in online with the Delta app on my phone so I go straight to the back and TSA pre-check if I only have a carry on back for a shorter trip to Europe. It saves a ton of time using Delta's electronic check-in with all my passport information and skip all the madness in the front. I know many cannot do this but for those who can it is definitely worth it. Thanks for doing this for those who rarely fly here.

[LuisJimenez-ynrk]

I will be flying Avianca out of T4. This is super helpful. Thank you so much for sharing!

[Youneedrealtherapy]

This video was so helpful! Thank you so much.

[ajs]

Great video--and imminently useful, too, as T4 is absolutely massive and always crowded.

Another piece of information--just to confuse things further--is that Delta Airlines now offers what they call "Digital ID." It's available to passengers who have a KTN on file with Delta and whose passport information is also in the profile. It works like Clear--just look at the camera and then go through a TSA precheck line. The benefit of using the Digital ID is that you don't need to fumble with any government IDs nor show your boarding pass. If you have access to the Digital ID line, it make the security process even easier and faster. So, at 9:00, this is actually a fifth type of security clearance available.

One word of caution, though. Delta's Digital ID is only available a JFK, LGA, DTW, and (I think) ATL. However, since this video is about JFK's T4, it's a service that's available at this location.

[ajs]

Another comment or two regarding things to do and lounges.

First off, at 11:00, you are absolutely correct that the Centurion Lounge is just past security and not actually located down either concourse. What new JFK passengers shouldn't overlook, however, is that Concourse B is massively long, so if you decide to use the Centurion Lounge (which you absolutely should if you have access to it) is to plan on at least a 15- or 20-minute walk from this lounge to your gate--especially if your gate has a high number (in the 40s or 50s).

Second, as I'm writing this comment (early April 2024), there are NO food options in Concourse A (other than the Delta Lounge, which many passengers don't have access to). There are going to be a couple of venues in the future, but they're currently all closed and/or under construction. So if your flight is in Concourse A and if you also want food, get it from the venues after security, but before you wander down Concourse A.

[ajs]

One last comment: Delta offers a free shuttle bus that runs between Gate A8 and Gate B53. This isn't always useful, but on a recent flight, I had three gate changes! I was first assigned a gate somewhere around B35, then B44, and then A12. The easiest and quickest solution was to walk down to gate B53 and get on the free shuttle to the middle of Concourse A. I suppose an enterprising passenger could use this logic in reverse, say, if their flight is from the end of Concourse B, then just walk to gate A8 and shuttle over to your gate in Concourse B.

[TeeCeeeva]

I didn't hear you mention the Airtrain

[RK-tblc]

Hi. Does Terminal 4 (Delta) have curbside check-in?

[laurabandemer]

I have a layover before flying to Europe. I arrive at T4 and depart there as well.
I don’t know my gate yet.

[gonzzzalopv]

I arrive on Monday at 1pm from Canada and depart on an international flight at 8pm and I was thinking taking the Lirr to Manhattan but I’m unsure if I’ll have enough time 🫠

[DIMPLEZ]

Hi thank you for this video i really appericate it. I have a question i am traveling to puerto rico san juan in nov first time flying i need assistance in going to my gate will someone drive me in the big mobile thing lol or in a actually wheelchair ?

[sarang]

My flight will depart around 7:00 p.m. I want to know Is there any Delta check in desk available at this time? It’s my first time in the Us 😢

[mikeward]

I am traveling through JFK on two different bookings due to cost savings and schedule. If I am landing at JFK and going through Terminal 4 and have to claim a bag, but I then have to take a flight out of Terminal 7, can I hop on the AirTran after claiming the bag and NOT go through security before catching the AirTran, which I believe is level 4? I understand AirTran is out of the secure loop, so it would make sense that I would only go through security when checking in at Terminal 7. Is this correct?

[dennissg]

Is terminal 4 combined both international and domestic flights?

[JorgeFlores-xbih]

Quick question, im flying for my first time with my dad, probably be in terminal 4. He uses a wheelchair, would he need wheelchair assistance? If so, how does that go about for security? You said in your video that people with mobility issue might be put in that line, will i he with him? Or would i go to a different line? I know its alot, but i just wanna make sure, as I am a very anxious person.

[irinaserbova]

This video is great and very helpful for me, because i'm gonna be in JFK in September, so thank you for info about Terminal 4! (but the music is too loud 😀)

[laurabandemer]

Is one of the concourses for international flights?

[Jorges]

Where can i find latin American airlines drop off ? I need drop off my luggage before seeing tsa any advice !