Lufthansa operates from Terminal 1 at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Lufthansa JFK Terminal serves as the primary hub for both departing and arriving passengers. JFK Terminal 1 is also the hub for major international carriers like Air France, Swiss, Turkish Airlines, and Korean Air.
Lufthansa JFK Departure Terminal
JFK Lufthansa terminal offers non-stop flights to Frankfurt and Munich in Germany. These are the main hubs, and from there, travelers can connect to major global destinations.
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Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Zurich, Barcelona, and London in Europe
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Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bangalore in India
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Singapore, Tokyo, and Bangkok
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Dubai and Doha in the Middle East
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Johannesburg and Cape Town in Africa
Lufthansa's terminal at JFK International Airport schedules two daily flights from Terminal 1. Passengers can choose an afternoon flight around 4:40 PM, or a late-night option around 10:55 PM.
The airline manages all the check-in and boarding of passengers from the departure level of JFK Terminal 1.
Check-in: The airline serves its check-in counter in the main hall of Terminal 1. The self-service check-in kiosks are located next to the check-in counters.
Baggage drop: Travelers must ensure to submit their baggage 60 minutes before departure. The bag drop counter for the Lufthansa flight is located next to the self-service check-in kiosk at the level of the terminal.
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From the Lufthansa JFK departure terminal, Economy Class passengers can check bags up to 23 kg each. Business Class passengers can check 2 bags up to 30 kg each.
Security screening: There is no airline-specific security lane for Lufthansa passengers.
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Travelers have to go through the common TSA security checkpoint at Level 1, which is used by all the airlines at Terminal 1.
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During peak hours, security screening at JFK takes about 20-35 minutes.
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In addition, Terminal 1 has no dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes.
Boarding: Boarding for Lufthansa passengers takes place in the airside area. Lufthansa uses gates 1 through 11 for departure. Boarding starts 45 minutes before departure and closes 15-20 minutes before takeoff.
Lounge at JFK: Lufthansa Senator Lounge and Lufthansa Business Lounge at JFK Terminal 1 are located airside after security. Immediately after the TSA security checkpoint, travelers should take a left and walk for about one minute to reach the lounges. The lounge opens 09:30 AM – 01:00 AM daily.
Pro tip: The airline facilitates online check-in 30 hours before departure to speed up the process and obtain a boarding pass online.
Lufthansa Arrival Terminal JFK
Flights from Frankfurt to JFK arrive around 1:15 PM (LH 404), 3:40 PM (LH 400), and 5:20 PM (LH 402).
Lufthansa operates all arrival flights at Terminal 1. After landing at the Lufthansa arrival terminal at JFK, travelers have to go through customs and immigration.
Immigration: Passport Control is located on the ground floor of the arrival halls before baggage claim.
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There is a dedicated lane for US citizens and residents.
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Visitors, mainly non-US passport holders, have separate lanes.
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The process typically takes 30-60 minutes, especially during busy evening arrivals from Europe.
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Travelers can use the Global Entry at JFK to shorten wait times.
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During peak hours, the custom wait times at JFK average 20-40 minutes.
Baggage claim: The baggage carousels for Lufthansa flights are located in Terminal 1 Arrival Halls, immediately after the immigration counter.
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Travelers must look for large electronic screens in the baggage claim hall showing the flight number and the assigned carousel number.
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Bags start arriving 10-20 minutes after the traveler reaches the carousel.
Ground transportation: Passengers can book a rideshare such as Uber or Lyft and wait outside the designated pickup zone.
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NYC Yellow Taxis have an official stand outside Terminal 1 and offer a flat fare of 70 USD from JFK to Manhattan.
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The AirTrain JFK connects to Jamaica Station for LIRR or subway trains from JFK to Manhattan.
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Travelers who have to pick up the car can reach the Federal Circle via the free AirTrain. All car rentals at JFK are located on the Federal Circle.
Lufthansa JFK Terminal Map
The Lufthansa JFK terminal map shows the full layout of Terminal 1, including concourses, boarding gates, and passengers’ amenities.
At the departure level, there are check-in counters. The security checkpoints are located in the central area.
Arrival Level has a baggage carousel, which is located on the lower level. Passengers reach the ground transportation right after the customs and baggage claim.
Lufthansa operates from Terminal 1 at JFK, where all non-stop flights to Frankfurt and Munich arrive.
The Lufthansa JFK terminal layout keeps the walking distance short. The main hall has check-in counters. Security screening takes 20-35 minutes. Boarding gates are located nearby. Eligible passengers can access the Lufthansa Lounge after security.
Upon arrival, passengers proceed to immigration, and the baggage claim is located on the lower level.
Clear signage directs travelers to taxis, rideshare services, and AirTrain JFK.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lufthansa customer service at JFK Terminal 1 is located in the arrivals hall. For last-minute assistance regarding changes, rebooking, or missing bag issues, visit the Lufthansa office in the arrivals area. Passengers can call the Lufthansa customer relations USA at +1-516-738-4422.
For assistance at the airport, go to the Lufthansa service counter at the arrivals area of Terminal 1. Alternatively, call the Lufthansa US reservation line at +1-800-645-3880. Keep your booking reference ready when you call.
Yes. Parking at JFK Terminal 1 features short-term and long-term options. Short-term parking is available for hourly rates of around 22 USD per hour. Long-term parking is available off-site, and passengers have to connect to the AirTrain to connect to Terminal 1.
