New York's Airport: A Sprawling Transportation Hub

New York City is served by three airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Strictly speaking, only JFK and LGA are in New York, as EWR is in neighbouring New Jersey. JFK is the largest of the three airports, covering 5,200 acres (2,104 ha) or 8.1 square miles. It is located on the southwestern shore of Long Island, in the borough of Queens, New York City, and is the busiest airport in the New York airport system.

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is New York's biggest airport

JFK is one of the world's leading international air cargo centres, with more than one million square feet of office and warehouse space. It is the busiest airport in the New York airport system, the sixth-busiest airport in the United States, and the busiest international commercial airport in North America. Over 90 airlines operate out of JFK, with flights to destinations on all six inhabited continents.

The airport has five passenger terminals and four runways. It is a hub for American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue. The facility opened in 1948 as New York International Airport, commonly known as Idlewild Airport, and was renamed in tribute to John F. Kennedy following his assassination in 1963.

JFK is accessible by car, bus, shuttle, or other vehicle transit via the JFK Expressway or Interstate 678 (Van Wyck Expressway). The AirTrain JFK, a high-speed light-rail service, connects the airport to New York City and beyond, including the Long Island Railroad and the New York City subway.

It covers 5,200 acres (2,104 ha)

John F. Kennedy International Airport (IATA: JFK, ICAO: KJFK, FAA LID: JFK) is New York's biggest airport, covering 5,200 acres (2,104 ha). Located in the Jamaica neighbourhood of Queens, 16 miles (26 km) southeast of Midtown Manhattan, JFK is the largest airport in the New York metropolitan area. The airport is a hub for American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue, serving as the primary operating base for the latter.

JFK Airport boasts an impressive size, with its 5,200 acres accommodating five passenger terminals and four runways. The airport is easily accessible via car, bus, shuttle, or other vehicle transit using the JFK Expressway or Interstate 678 (Van Wyck Expressway). Alternatively, passengers can opt for the high-speed, light-rail service AirTrain JFK, which conveniently connects the airport to the New York City Subway and the Long Island Rail Road at Howard Beach and Jamaica.

The vast area of 5,200 acres that JFK Airport encompasses is a testament to its importance as a major international airport serving New York City and its metropolitan area. This size enables the airport to handle a significant volume of air traffic, with over 90 airlines operating from JFK and offering nonstop or direct flights to destinations across all six inhabited continents. The airport's six terminals, with 128 operational gates, efficiently manage the flow of over 62 million passengers annually.

The history of JFK Airport's expansion is closely tied to its substantial size. Originally known as Idlewild Airport when it opened in 1948, JFK Airport has undergone numerous expansions and developments over the years. The initial terminal building, spanning 79,280 square feet, was expanded to 215,501 square feet just a year later. The addition of a control tower, new and expanded buildings, and taxiways further contributed to the airport's growing footprint.

The 5,200 acres of JFK Airport also hold significance in the context of its economic impact. The airport contributes approximately $30.1 billion in wages and salaries, providing employment opportunities for about 35,000 people. This economic contribution underscores the vital role that JFK Airport plays in the region's prosperity and development.

JFK is located in the Jamaica neighbourhood of Queens, 16 miles southeast of Midtown Manhattan

John F. Kennedy International Airport, commonly known as JFK Airport, is located in the Jamaica neighbourhood of Queens, New York City. It is situated on the southwestern shore of Long Island, 16 miles southeast of Midtown Manhattan. The airport covers 5,200 acres (or 2,104 hectares) and is the largest in the New York metropolitan area.

JFK Airport is a major international airport, serving New York City and its metropolitan area. It is the busiest airport in the New York airport system, which includes LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport. The airport in Jamaica, Queens, is about 25 km from Manhattan and is easily accessible by car, bus, shuttle, or other vehicle transit via the JFK Expressway or Interstate 678.

JFK Airport features five passenger terminals and four runways, with over 90 airlines operating nonstop or direct flights to destinations worldwide. It is a hub for American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue, offering a range of domestic and international flight options for travellers. The airport also boasts a high-speed, light-rail service called AirTrain JFK, which connects the airport terminals to the New York City Subway and the Long Island Rail Road.

The history of JFK Airport dates back to 1948 when it opened as New York International Airport, commonly known as Idlewild Airport. The airport was built to relieve the overcrowded LaGuardia Field, which had opened a decade earlier. In 1963, following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the airport was renamed in his honour, becoming John F. Kennedy International Airport.

The airport has six terminals

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is New York's biggest airport, covering 21.04 square kilometres (8.1 square miles) or 5,200 acres (according to some sources, 4,930 acres) in the eastern borough of Queens. The airport has six terminals with 128 operational gates, four runways and four helipads.

The airport, which first opened in 1948, was originally built with ten terminals. Terminals 8 and 9 were merged into the new Terminal 8 facility, which is twice the size of Madison Square Garden and was opened in stages between 2005 and 2007. Terminals 3 and 6 were closed down and demolished over time. Terminal 1 opened in 1998, and Terminal 4, a $1.4 billion replacement for the International Arrivals Building, opened in 2001. JetBlue's Terminal 5 incorporates the TWA Flight Centre, and Terminals 8 and 9 were demolished and rebuilt as Terminal 8 for the American Airlines hub.

The airport is a hub for American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, as well as the primary operating base for JetBlue. The airport is also a former hub for Braniff, Eastern, Flying Tigers, National, Northeast, Northwest, Pan Am, Seaboard World, Tower Air, and TWA.

In October 2018, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a $13 billion expansion plan for the airport, which includes two new terminals, a ground transport network, and upgrades to the runways and security. The airport handled over 62 million passengers and saw 480,793 aircraft movements in 2023, making it the sixth-busiest airport in the US.

It is accessible via car, bus, shuttle, or other vehicle transit

New York City is served by John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), which is located on the southwestern shore of Long Island, in Queens, New York City, bordering Jamaica Bay. The airport covers 5,200 acres (2,104 ha) and is the largest in the New York metropolitan area. It is accessible via car, bus, shuttle, or other vehicle transit.

If you are travelling to or from JFK by car, you can access the airport via the JFK Expressway or Interstate 678 (Van Wyck Expressway). There are parking lots available at the airport, but these can get very busy.

There are also a number of shuttle services that operate to and from JFK Airport, including GO Airlink, SuperShuttle, and Dial 7. These services offer shared rides, as well as private cars, SUVs, and vans. You can book these services in advance, and they will pick you up and drop you off directly at your terminal.

In addition to shuttle services, there are also bus services that serve JFK Airport. As of 2017, arriving customers must take the Green Shuttle Bus at Terminal B to the designated pick-up location to await their ride. If you are arriving at Terminal A, C, or D, you will need to take the Blue Route Shuttle Bus or the Purple Route Shuttle Bus to Terminal B first.

JFK Airport is also accessible via the New York City Subway and the Long Island Rail Road at Howard Beach and Jamaica. The AirTrain JFK, a high-speed, light-rail service, connects the airport to these transport hubs and opened in December 2003.

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