Airlines is based at John F. Kennedy International Airport's Terminal 5 (T5) (JFK). Southwest Airlines JFK Terminal  Arrive at least two hours ahead of schedule to ensure a seamless experience and enough time for security and check-in. In addition to self-service kiosks, Southwest offers a mobile app for check-in. It's best to plan ahead because security queues can get rather long. After passing through, Terminal 5 offers a range of shopping and dining alternatives to help pass the time while you're waiting. Watch flight information screens for any updates or modifications pertaining to your gate.