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China Eastern Airlines flies out of Terminal 1 at John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The terminal offers two direct flights per week to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG). The China Eastern Airlines Terminal at JFK is a modernized facility with an easily accessible ground transportation center and a simplified roadway network for seamless navigation.
In addition, the terminal’s world-class amenities and streamlined services cater to China Eastern Airlines passengers. Let’s understand all the services and amenities, as well as ground transportation options and other essential information, available to its passengers.
Overview of China Eastern Airlines Terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Below is the table outlining the essential information about the China Eastern Airlines terminal at JFK Airport:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Airport | John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) |
| Airline | China Eastern Airlines |
| IATA Code | MU |
| ICAO Code | CES |
| Departures | Terminal 1 |
| Arrivals | Terminal 1 |
| Contact Number | 1-800-200-5118 (U.S. Customer Service) |
| Working Hours | 24/7 |
| Address | Terminal 1, JFK International Airport, Queens, NY 11430 |
| Official Website | www.ceair.com |
| facebook.com/ChinaEasternAirlines | |
| X (Twitter) | twitter.com/ChinaEastern |
| instagram.com/chinaeasternairlines |
Which Terminal is China Eastern Airlines at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)?
China Eastern Airlines operates from Terminal 1 at JFK for both departures and arrivals. For departing passengers, the boarding gate is 5, a 5-minute walk from the TSA checkpoint.
Additional features at China Eastern Airlines Terminal include an automated security checkpoint, biometric boarding, and self-service baggage drop facilities alongside hundreds of shopping and dining outlets, which offer a premium passenger experience throughout the terminal.
China Eastern Airlines Departures from JFK
China Eastern Airlines departs from Terminal 1 at JFK Airport. On the day of departure, passengers need to arrive at the airport 3 hours before departure. Departing passengers have to go through the following:
- Check-in: The airline check-in counter closes 60 minutes before takeoff. Passengers are encouraged to arrive at least 3 hours early to complete check-in. China Eastern Airlines check-in counter is located at Level 3 of Terminal 1.
- Baggage drop: Checked baggage at the China Airlines check-in counter must be submitted up to 45 minutes before departure.
- Security: The security checkpoint for China Airlines passengers is located at Level 3. The security screening counter closes 45 minutes before departure. Expect a security wait time at JFK between 25-45 minutes.
- Boarding: The boarding for the China Airlines flight begins 45 minutes before departure. The boarding gate closes 30 minutes before departure. China Eastern Airlines uses boarding gates at Concourse A.
China Eastern Airlines Arrivals at JFK
China Eastern Airlines lands at JFK Terminal 1. Arriving passengers have to clear customs and immigration before they pick up their luggage.
- Immigration: Upon landing, follow the signage to the immigration area, which is located at level 2. There are dedicated lanes for passengers traveling with children and pregnant travelers.
- Baggage claim: The baggage claim at JFK Terminal 1 is located at Level 1. China Eastern uses carousel 5-7 for its flights, but announcements are displayed on the overhead monitors.
- Customs: After recovering the checked luggage, head to the customs area for inspection. Here, passengers will need to declare items that are prohibited or goods that exceed duty-free limits.
Check out the other airlines operating at JFK Airport.
Services and Amenities at China Eastern’s Terminal at JFK
China Eastern Airlines uses gates 1–12 where passengers have access wide range of amenities such as retail shops, premium dining with Asian and multicultural cuisines, and duty-free outlets.
In addition, passengers can use free WiFi, family restrooms, pet relief areas, and nursing suites. For passengers looking for last-minute purchases before departing from China Eastern’s Terminal, there are newsstands, charging stations, and a travel essential kiosk, which are located before and after security at Terminal 1:
| Full-service restaurants and cafés | UETA Duty-Free, and Bulgari boutique |
| Free Wi‑Fi | Charging stations |
| Multiple ATMs | Currency exchange booths |
| Nursing/baby care rooms | Children’s play area |
| Clean restrooms | Water bottle refill stations |
| SmarteCarte | Porter service |
| Business centers | Postal drop‑box |
| Medical service room for emergencies |
Lounge Access for China Eastern Airlines Passengers at JFK
China Eastern Airlines does not have a dedicated lounge at JFK. Eligible passengers, including Business Class travelers, SkyTeam Elite Plus members, and Eastern Miles Gold/Platinum members, can access the SkyTeam alliance-affiliated lounge.
For instance, eligible passengers of China Eastern Airlines can access the Air France lounge. The lounge opens from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily.
Check out all other lounges available at John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK).
Pet Travel and Special Assistance at China Eastern’s Terminal at JFK
China Eastern Airlines passengers traveling with pets can access the pet relief area before security, located outside the Arrival Area. Passengers traveling with pets must notify China Eastern Airlines 48 hours in advance.
If you have special needs, China Eastern Airlines will accommodate its passengers and offer the following services:
- Dedicated boarding and arrival support for passengers with disabilities.
- Wheelchair service would be provided with an attendant.
- Visually impaired passengers can carry an assistive/supportive device for free.
- Passengers with hearing impairment would be offered dedicated assistance.
- Oxygen for therapeutic or medical purposes is available on board.
- Request safety assistance to assist the passenger with boarding and arrival.
- Special baby bassinets and packs are available onboard.
The aforementioned services must be reserved up to 72 hours in advance before takeoffs.
Ground Transportation from China Eastern’s Terminal at JFK
Passengers arriving at JFK Terminal 1 can access taxis and app-based rideshares like Uber and Lyft outside China Eastern’s Terminal. The AirTrain JFK, which connects to the Long Island Rail Road at Terminal 1, is currently closed due to the renovation of New Terminal One. The nearest Air Trans station to Terminal 1 is Terminal 7 and is accessible through a shuttle.
For budget-friendly passengers, MTA bus service is available via Air Tran, where you can transfer to various bus lines like Q3, Q6, Q7, Q10, Q10, and B15.
For a detailed overview of JFK transportation options, read our latest guide.
Parking Options for China Eastern Passengers at JFK
The parking at JFK is temporarily shut down due to the ongoing construction of New Terminal One. Passengers having their scheduled flight at Terminal 1 can use the Red Garage parking lot at Terminal 8. At Terminal 8, a free shuttle is available to take you to Terminal 1 and runs every 5-10 minutes.
China Eastern Airlines Customer Service and Support at JFK
China Eastern operates customer service desks at Level 3, Departure Area, and Level 1, Arrival Area. These China Eastern Airlines customer service desks operate 24/7 and assist passengers with last-minute flight changes, cancellations, baggage purchases, and rebooking due to flight disruptions. In addition, it also helps disabled passengers to avail of special services like wheelchairs, escort assistance, etc.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Customer Support Desk | Departures Hall, Terminal 1 |
| Operating Hours | 24/7 |
| Phone Number | 1-800-227-5118 (U.S. Customer Support) |
Map of China Eastern’s Terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
An interactive map of China Eastern Terminal at JFK Airport is available below. It will help passengers navigate check-in counters, security checkpoints, boarding gates, baggage claims, and customs. For passengers seeking some experience, with the map, they can also locate their preferred shop, dining outlet, and lounge.
China Eastern Airlines at JFK Terminal 1 offers a smooth travel experience for passengers traveling to and from Shanghai. The terminal features state-of-the-art infrastructure, modern amenities, and 24/7 customer support to ensure comfort and convenience at every stage. Whether you’re traveling from JFK Airport for the first time or are a frequent flyer, understanding the China Eastern Airlines terminal’s layout, services offered here, and transportation options will help you navigate JFK with ease and make your trip a pleasant one.
FAQs
China Eastern operates from Terminal 1 of John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) for both departures and arrivals.
For departing passengers, the desk is in the Departures Hall near the check-in counter and operates 24/7. For arriving passengers, the desk is located at the Arrivals Area near the baggage claim.
No, there is no official China Eastern Airlines lounge at JFK. China Eastern Airlines is partnered with the SkyTeam Alliance for lounge access.
The China Eastern Airlines baggage claim area is located in Terminal 1 at JFK on the Arrival Level.