Jfk Airport: Massive Hub, Sprawling Size, Global Gateway

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is a major international airport serving New York City. Located in the Jamaica neighbourhood of Queens, JFK is the largest airport in the New York metropolitan area, covering 5,200 acres (2,104 ha) or 21 square kilometres (8.1 sq mi). The airport features six terminals with 128 operational gates, four runways, and four helipads. It is the busiest of the six airports in the New York airport system, handling over 62 million passengers in 2023, and is the sixth-busiest airport in the United States. More than 70 airlines operate out of JFK, offering nonstop or direct flights to destinations on all six inhabited continents.

JFK is the 6th-busiest airport in the US

JFK: The 6th-Busiest Airport in the US

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is the sixth-busiest airport in the United States. Located in the Jamaica neighbourhood of Queens, New York City, JFK is the primary international gateway to the country. Covering 5,200 acres, it is the largest airport in the New York metropolitan area.

JFK is a hub for American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, and the primary operating base for JetBlue. Over 90 airlines operate from the airport, offering nonstop or direct flights to destinations on all six inhabited continents.

The airport features five passenger terminals and four runways. Terminal 1, which opened in 1998, is served by SkyTeam, Star Alliance, and Oneworld carriers, among others. Terminal 4 is a major international hub for Delta Air Lines, while Terminal 5 serves as the base for JetBlue Airways. Terminal 7 is managed by British Airways, and Terminal 8, the largest terminal at JFK, is operated by American Airlines.

JFK was originally built with ten terminals, but now has five. The airport first opened in 1948 as Idlewild Airport, and was renamed in tribute to President John F. Kennedy following his assassination in 1963.

In 2019, JFK handled over 62.5 million passengers, and it is expected to serve about 75 million annual passengers by 2020 and 100 million by 2050.

It is the 20th-busiest airport in the world

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is the 20th busiest airport in the world. It is the main international airport serving New York City and the busiest international air passenger gateway into North America.

JFK is located in the Jamaica neighbourhood of Queens, 16 miles southeast of Midtown Manhattan. The airport features six passenger terminals and four runways. It is a hub for both American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, and it is the primary operating base for JetBlue.

The airport covers 5,200 acres, making it the largest in the New York metropolitan area. Over 90 airlines operate from the airport, with nonstop or direct flights to destinations in all six inhabited continents.

JFK is the third-busiest airport in the United States, with over 62.5 million passengers in 2019. It is also the third-biggest freight gateway in the value of shipments in the country.

JFK was constructed to reduce the volume of traffic in LaGuardia Airport. It was built to be the world's largest and most efficient airport, with "no confusion and no congestion".

It is the busiest international air passenger gateway into North America

With a total passenger traffic volume of over 30 million each year, John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) stands as the busiest international passenger gateway to North America. This remarkable statistic underscores the airport's pivotal role in facilitating global travel to and from the continent.

JFK's prominence as an international travel hub is further emphasized by its extensive network of global connections. The airport currently serves as the primary operating base for a multitude of prominent international carriers, including the likes of British Airways, Emirates, and Lufthansa. These airlines, alongside numerous others, utilize JFK as a strategic gateway to offer seamless connections between North America and their respective global networks.

The airport's stature as a leading international gateway is also reflected in its comprehensive range of facilities tailored to meet the unique needs of international travelers. Terminal 4, for instance, is specifically designed to cater to international flights and boasts an array of world-class amenities. This terminal is equipped with state-of-the-art customs and immigration facilities, ensuring efficient processing of the large volume of international passengers passing through its gates. Additionally, Terminal 4 is home to an impressive array of duty-free shops, offering travelers a diverse selection of products from renowned brands.

JFK's status as the busiest international air passenger gateway into North America is further solidified by its strategic location in the heart of the New York metropolitan area. This prime location makes the airport easily accessible to a vast population base, not only from the New York City region but also from the broader northeastern United States. Consequently, JFK serves not just as a gateway to New York but also as a convenient entry point for travelers visiting nearby cities like Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. This broad catchment area significantly contributes to the airport's high volume of international passenger traffic.

The airport covers 5,200 acres or 21 square kilometres

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is a major international airport serving New York City. Located in the Jamaica neighbourhood of Queens, JFK is the largest airport in the New York metropolitan area, covering 5,200 acres or 21 square kilometres. This makes it the ninth-largest airport in North America by land area.

The airport's six terminals feature 128 gates numbered 1 to 8 (excluding Terminals 3 and 6), four runways, and four helipads. With a vast expanse of land, JFK efficiently manages a high volume of air traffic, contributing significantly to the region's economic growth.

JFK's extensive grounds accommodate not only the terminals, runways, and helipads but also various support facilities critical to its operations. These include aircraft hangars, an engine overhaul building, a large aircraft fuel storage facility, and a truck garage. The airport also boasts an extensive road network, with over 25 miles of paved taxiways, enabling aircraft to manoeuvre effortlessly around the airfield.

In addition to its physical infrastructure, JFK also boasts an impressive array of administrative, government, and air cargo support buildings. The airport is a significant freight gateway, handling a substantial volume of cargo and contributing to its ranking as one of the nation's leading international gateways.

The ample space at JFK allows for future expansion to meet growing demands. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a $13 billion expansion plan in 2018, which includes new terminals, upgraded runways, and enhanced security measures. This project underscores JFK's dynamic nature and its commitment to staying at the forefront of aviation.

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

John F. Kennedy International Airport (IATA: JFK, ICAO: KJFK, FAA LID: JFK) is located in the Jamaica neighbourhood of Queens, 16 miles southeast of Midtown Manhattan. The airport is the main international airport serving New York City. It is the busiest international air passenger gateway to North America, the 20th busiest airport in the world, and the sixth busiest airport in the United States.

JFK Airport is located on the southwestern shore of Long Island, in Queens, New York City, bordering Jamaica Bay. It is the largest airport in the New York metropolitan area, covering 5,200 acres (2,104 ha). The airport features six passenger terminals and four runways. It is accessible via car, bus, shuttle, or other vehicle transit, as well as by train.

JFK Airport is a hub for American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, and it is the primary operating base for JetBlue. It was also formerly a hub for Pan Am, TWA, Eastern, National, and Tower Air.

The airport opened in 1948 as New York International Airport but was commonly known as Idlewild Airport. Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, the airport was renamed in tribute to him.

JFK Airport is one of the leading international gateways in the United States. It is owned by the City of New York and managed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey under a long-term operating lease. The Port Authority has invested about $7 billion in the airport, which contributes about $37.3 billion in economic activity to the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area, creating approximately 256,000 jobs in the region.

Frequently asked questions