How busy is John F. Kennedy International right now?

The TSA wait at JFK is about 30-36 minutes. Check live conditions, weather, and FAA delay status above for a full picture of how busy JFK is right now.

What is the FAA airport status for JFK?

The FAA airport status for JFK (John F. Kennedy International) shows current delays, ground stops, and departure/arrival delay programs. JFK has an on-time departure rate of 78%, with an average delay of 78 minutes when delays occur. Check above for live FAA status and real-time conditions.

Is JFK busy right now?

Check the live status above for real-time conditions at John F. Kennedy International (JFK). TSA wait is currently about 30-36 minutes. Overall, 78% of flights depart on time from JFK. The least busy time for security is 4 AM (about 5 min).

Is John F. Kennedy International operating normally today?

Check the live FAA status and delay data above for current operations at JFK. On a typical day, 78% of departures from John F. Kennedy International are on time. When delays occur, they average about 78 minutes. The most common reason for departure delays here is the airline (crew, maintenance, or boarding).

Are there delays at John F. Kennedy International today?

Check the live delay tracker above for current JFK delays. Historically, 78% of departures are on time, and when delays occur they average 78 minutes. About 2.4% of flights are cancelled. The most common reason for departure delays here is the airline (crew, maintenance, or boarding).

What is the average departure delay at John F. Kennedy International?

When departures at JFK (John F. Kennedy International) are delayed, the average delay is about 78 minutes. Overall, 78% of flights depart on time. About 2.4% of flights are cancelled.

What causes the most departure delays at John F. Kennedy International?

The most common reason for departure delays here is the airline (crew, maintenance, or boarding). At JFK, 78% of departures are on time, and when delays occur they average 78 minutes.

Is it safe to book a tight connection at John F. Kennedy International?

JFK sees a moderate number of delays, so we recommend at least 90 minutes for domestic connections and 2 hours for international.

What's the best time to fly from John F. Kennedy International?

Early morning flights (before 8 AM) tend to have the best on-time performance at most airports, including JFK. For shorter security lines, aim for 4 AM (about 5 min). Midweek flights (Tuesday and Wednesday) also tend to see fewer delays than weekend or Monday departures.

JFK is having a rough day. TSA is running ~33 min.

Check your airline app before leaving. Only 78% on time. avg delay 78 min. TSA: about 30-36 minutes.

Updated 4:45 PM UTC

JFK New York Delays & Airport Status

Q: What are TSA wait times at JFK?

The TSA wait at JFK is about 30-36 minutes. The fastest time through security is 4 AM (about 5 min). The busiest period is 8 AM (42-48 minutes). Wait times are similar throughout the week.

John F. Kennedy International(Kennedy Airport)

JFK delays today: John F. Kennedy International has an on-time departure rate of about 78%. The FAA airport status for JFK typically shows an average delay of 78 minutes when departures are delayed. The most common reason for departure delays here is the airline (crew, maintenance, or boarding). Roughly 2.4% of flights are cancelled. The typical taxi-out time from gate to takeoff is about 23 minutes. The current TSA wait is about 30-36 minutes. The fastest time through security is 4 AM (about 5 min). The busiest period is 8 AM (42-48 minutes).

Source: BTS, FAA. Updated October 2026.

JFK is New York's international gateway — sprawling, complex, and slow to recover from any disruption.

→The AirTrain connects all terminals but takes 10–15 minutes plus wait time to reach Jamaica (LIRR/Subway) or Howard Beach (A train). Budget 75 minutes from Manhattan.
→Terminal 4 handles Delta, most international carriers, and is one of the busiest terminals in the U.S. Terminal 8 is American. Know your terminal — transfers between some require exiting and re-clearing security.
→JFK has long taxi times (often 20–30 minutes) and complex runway geometry. Once delays start, they stack quickly.
→International arrivals at Terminal 4 can have customs waits of 45–90 minutes during peak afternoon arrival banks. Global Entry cuts this significantly.

JFK's multi-terminal layout means a missed connection here often requires re-clearing security and potentially taking the AirTrain to another building. It's also the slowest major airport to recover after a weather event — delays can persist for hours after conditions clear.