The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey projects that approximately 5.6 million travelers are expected to use its airports and vehicular crossings during the 5-day peak travel period for the Memorial Day holiday weekend from Thursday, May 21, to Monday, May 25.
The agency anticipates a record of over 2.1 million passengers traveling through John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia and New York-Stewart International airports from Thursday through Monday, an increase of about 1 percent from the all-time high seen during same period in 2025. Friday and Monday are anticipated to be the busiest days at the airports. Domestic seat capacity is scheduled to increase about 2.7 percent from Memorial Day 2025, while international seat capacity is expected to decrease about 4 percent.
The Port Authority recently launched redesigned websites for its commercial airports, featuring modern, intuitive user interfaces where customers can easily find information on flights, security wait times, shopping and dining directories, maps, and parking. Travelers are also advised to check the Port Authority’s air travel tips page, in addition to planning for longer wait times at security checkpoints due to higher passenger volume and allowing additional travel time due to ongoing construction if driving. All passengers on domestic flights should arrive to the airport at least two hours in advance of their departure time and passengers on international flights should arrive at the airports at least three hours in advance of their departure times.
On the roads, the agency estimates that as many as 3.5 million vehicles will use its bridges and tunnels over the holiday period, similar to volume from the same period in 2025. To accommodate anticipated significant volume, all non-emergency repairs and construction projects at its crossings will be suspended from 5 a.m. Friday, May 22, to 5 a.m. Tuesday, May 26. A separate travel advisory for any lane closures or service changes for the remainder of that week will be issued next week.
All travelers, whether by air or road, are strongly encouraged to allow for additional travel time or take public transit whenever possible. Travelers who plan to use the Port Authority’s facilities should note the following service changes that will be in effect from Thursday, May 21, to Monday, May 25, and allow for additional travel time:
PATH:
- PATH will operate on a Saturday schedule on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25.
- As of Sunday, May 17, PATH has implemented significant weekend service enhancements. Direct Journal Square–33 St, Hoboken-World Trade Center and Hoboken-33 St service operates between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekends alongside existing Newark-World Trade Center service. The Journal Square–33 St and Hoboken–33 St lines runs every 10 minutes; Hoboken–World Trade Center service runs every 20 minutes. More information is available here.
- The 9 St and 23 St stations, normally closed from midnight to 5 a.m. for maintenance, will remain open during the overnight hours for the holiday weekend. The stations will resume overnight closures at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, May 26.
- Customers who use the PATH World Trade Center station during overnights should use the street level entrances at Fulton Street or Vesey Street via the North Concourse in the 2 World Trade Center transit lobby. Oculus access is limited overnight from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. All other entrances will be closed. For updates on the WTC campus, click here.
- For information on PATH service and train schedules, download the PATH mobile app, RidePATH.
AIRPORTS AND AIRTRAIN:
- Customers can sign up here for real-time alerts regarding airport traffic, construction, parking, security wait times and rideshare options.
- As a reminder, TSA no longer accepts state-issued identifications that are not REAL ID compliant at security checkpoints. Acceptable alternative forms of ID are listed on the TSA website for all airline passengers 18 years and older who do not have a compliant REAL ID at the time of travel. Passports and Global Entry program cards are also accepted. For more information, click here.
- Travelers without REAL ID-compliant identification may use ConfirmID, a TSA identity verification process, to pass through TSA security checkpoints. The new ConfirmID identification process costs $45 and takes an average of 10-15 minutes but could take 30 minutes or more. Please allow extra travel time to get through security if using this TSA option.
- To manage on-airport parking demand at Newark Liberty International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport, the Port Authority is urgently calling on air travelers to use mass transit and to pre-book parking spaces if they plan to travel to the airport by private car. Travelers who do not pre-book will be charged a peak period drive-up surcharge and may not be able to find a parking spot at the airport. To avoid paying a higher parking rate and guarantee a parking spot, travelers parking for longer than three hours are strongly encouraged to pre-book parking at least 24 hours in advance. For more information on the updated rates and how to guarantee a parking spot, click here.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK):
- Due to construction underway for the $19 billion redevelopment of JFK, motorists and anyone using for-hire vehicle services should plan ahead for delays or reroutes due to detours or closures of parts of the airport roadway network. Customers are strongly advised to use mass transit to and from the airport, such as MTA New York City Transit subway or buses to AirTrain JFK stations at Jamaica, Lefferts Blvd or Howard Beach.
- To avoid potential construction-related vehicular congestion at terminal frontages, motorists are encouraged to use the free drop-off and pickup lot at the on-airport AirTrain JFK’s Lefferts Blvd station where passengers can easily connect to the free AirTrain for an eight-minute ride to airport terminals.
- A new roadway configuration is in place for vehicles destined to terminals 1 and 4. Drivers should utilize the Van Wyck Expressway for direct access to terminals 1 and 4 and utilize the JFK Expressway for direct access to terminals 5, 7 and 8.
o Terminal 4:
§ Until further notice, the Terminal 4 surface parking lot is closed. A height restriction of 6’4” applies to the garage parking. All standard vehicles over 6’4” should use the Terminal 8 parking garage and utilize AirTrain JFK to Terminal 4. ADA van parking will remain available.
o Terminal 5:
§ Until further notice, pickups for for-hire vehicles at Terminal 5 have been relocated to the Howard Beach Ride App & Car Services Lot. Passengers leaving terminals 5 or 7 who seek for-hire vehicle service to their final destinations should take AirTrain JFK to the Howard Beach station to the Howard Beach Ride App & Car Services Lot. The AirTrain is free for passengers exiting to the pickup lot. Passengers should order their ride when they arrive at the lot. Signage is available to direct passengers to pickup locations. Passengers whose flights depart from terminals 5 or 7 may be dropped off at the airport terminals.
§ Until further notice, the taxi stand at Terminal 5 has been relocated to the ground level of Terminal 5’s Yellow Parking Garage. Passengers seeking taxi transportation should go to the Yellow Garage via the skywalk on the fifth floor, where passengers may access the new taxi stand using elevators or stairs. Wayfinding signage is available along the pedestrian route.
§ Until further notice, parking on level 1 of the Yellow Parking Lot at Terminal 5 is reserved for individuals with special needs or disabilities. All other vehicles must park on levels 2 to 6. Premium reserved parking is available on level 5, which is easily accessible to Terminal 5 via the pedestrian skywalk. Electric vehicle charging is available on level 2. Plan ahead by checking parking availability and booking a parking spot in advance.
o Terminal 7:
§ Until further notice, arrivals are relocated to the ground level of the Orange Garage. The Orange Garage remains closed for parking. Terminal 7 customers are encouraged to use public transit or to book parking in Terminal 8’s Red Garage at least 24 hours in advance.
§ Until further notice, the taxi stand at Terminal 7 has been relocated to the departures level of the terminal. Due to height restrictions, buses and shuttle vans will be directed to Terminal 7 departures for passenger pickup. Signage is available to direct passengers and drivers to bus and van pickup locations. For-hire ride pickups at Terminal 7 have been relocated to the Howard Beach Ride App & Car Services Lot. Passengers who seek for-hire vehicle service to their final destinations should take AirTrain JFK to the Howard Beach station to the Howard Beach Ride App & Car Services Lot. The AirTrain is free for passengers exiting to the pickup lot. Passengers should order their ride when they arrive at the lot.
LaGuardia Airport:
- To encourage the use of public transit to and from LaGuardia Airport, LaGuardia Link Q70 bus service is fare-free year-round. For information on how to get to the airport via public transit, visit the MTA’s page on travel to LaGuardia Airport.
Newark Liberty International Airport:
- AirTrain service to and from the Airport Train Station, normally suspended on weekdays from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m., will operate normally on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25. Regular weekday suspensions from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. due to AirTrain Newark replacement work will resume at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26. Shuttle buses will provide service from the Airport Train Station to all terminals, rental cars, and P4 daily parking. AirTrain service between all terminals will not be affected. Click here for more information.
- Through the end of May, from 9 p.m. each weeknight to 6:30 a.m. the following morning, motorists arriving at terminals A, B, and C should account for an additional 30-45 minutes of travel time due to pavement rehabilitation work. Drivers should follow all posted detours.
- Until further notice, all shuttles to off-airport hotels/motels/rental cars have been relocated from the P4 station to P3 station due to construction activity for the new AirTrain Newark. The P3 station will be accessible via AirTrain Newark. More information is available here.
