Jazmin Li
New York City is serviced by three major airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). In this guide, we will break down what's good and what's not so good about each of the three airports, so you can decide which airport is best for your next trip to downtown New York.
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What You'll Learn
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is the largest and busiest airport in New York City
- LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is the closest airport to Midtown Manhattan
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is located in New Jersey, but is less than 20 miles from New York City
- Delta Shuttle is the only NYC-area stop at LaGuardia Airport
- JFK Airport is undergoing a $19 billion overhaul
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is the largest and busiest airport in New York City
New York City is serviced by three major airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Of these, John F. Kennedy International Airport, commonly known as JFK, is the largest and busiest airport in New York City.
JFK is located in the Jamaica neighbourhood of Queens, New York City, and is about 20 miles or 40 minutes from Manhattan by car. It is a major international travel hub, with more than 70 airlines flying in and out, most of which are international. Some of the airlines that operate out of JFK include British Airways, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa, Delta, American, Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Air France, Finnair, and EgyptAir.
In 2019, 62.6 million passengers passed through JFK, making it one of the busiest airports in the United States. The airport is currently undergoing a $19 billion overhaul, which will see the current six separate terminals transformed into four new complexes, anchored by two new terminal buildings. Despite the ongoing construction, JFK is built to handle large volumes of passengers. The terminals are modern, the infrastructure is decent, and it is the most accessible of New York City's airports via public transportation.
Travellers can get to JFK from Manhattan by taking the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) from Grand Central Madison terminal to the Jamaica stop in Queens, and then transferring to the AirTrain. Alternatively, travellers can take the subway to either the Jamaica or Howard Beach stations in Queens, and then take the AirTrain to the airport.
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LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is the closest airport to Midtown Manhattan
New York City is serviced by three major airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Of these three airports, LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is the closest to Midtown Manhattan.
LaGuardia Airport is located in the New York borough of Queens, specifically in East Elmhurst. The airport is only 9 miles or 20 minutes from Manhattan, making it a convenient option for those travelling to Midtown Manhattan. LaGuardia is easily accessible by subway or bus, with a ride costing $2.75 with a MetroCard. There is also an express shuttle bus option, which costs about $16 but can take up to 2 hours.
LaGuardia Airport has undergone significant upgrades in recent years, including the addition of brand-new terminals and passenger gates. In 2020, Terminal B was named the best new airport in the world at UNESCO's Prix Versailles awards. The terminal is known for its excellent dining options, including New York favourites such as Shake Shack, Bubby's, and Dos Toros Taqueria.
Despite its proximity to Midtown Manhattan and modern facilities, LaGuardia Airport primarily services domestic flights. The airport has a "perimeter rule" that caps most nonstop flights to and from the airport at a distance of 1,500 miles. This means that LaGuardia may not be the best option for those looking for international flights, as airports like JFK and Newark offer more international destinations.
In summary, LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is the closest airport to Midtown Manhattan and offers convenient transportation options into the city. With its modern facilities and recent upgrades, LaGuardia has become a preferred travel hub for many New Yorkers and visitors alike. However, those looking for international flights may find that other airports, such as JFK or Newark, better suit their needs.
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Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is located in New Jersey, but is less than 20 miles from New York City
New York City is served by three major airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Of these, Newark Liberty International Airport is unique in that it is located in New Jersey, despite being a "New York City" airport. Despite its location in a different state, Newark Airport is less than 20 miles from New York City, making it a convenient option for those travelling to or from the city.
Newark Airport is a popular choice for United Airlines and its partner airlines, with the airline using Newark as its main hub. The airport has undergone modernisation projects in recent years, including the opening of an entirely new Terminal A. Newark Airport also boasts excellent food options, with one source claiming that Terminal C is the best airline terminal in the New York area thanks to its sleek looks and food offerings.
Despite being located in New Jersey, Newark Airport is only slightly further from Manhattan than JFK Airport, at around 17-20 miles away. However, it is notoriously difficult to reach from Manhattan using public transport, with the subway and NJ Transit often involving lengthy travel times. As such, many travellers opt for a taxi, which can be expensive, typically costing $70-100.
One recommended option for travelling between Newark Airport and Manhattan is the Newark Airport Express shuttle bus, which can get you from Penn Station in Manhattan to your terminal in as little as 17 minutes. Another option is to take the AirTrain and New Jersey Transit, which costs around $15 and can be the quickest route.
In summary, despite being located in New Jersey, Newark Liberty International Airport is a convenient option for travellers to and from New York City, thanks to its proximity to Manhattan and the range of transport options available. However, travellers should be aware of the potential challenges and costs associated with navigating the airport's transport system.
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Delta Shuttle is the only NYC-area stop at LaGuardia Airport
New York City is serviced by three major airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Of these, LaGuardia is the closest airport to Midtown Manhattan, located just 8 miles (13 km) from Manhattan.
LaGuardia Airport has 3 terminals: A, B, and C. Terminal A is also known as the Marine Air Terminal and was initially built to manage seaplane operations. Terminal B was named the best new airport in the world at UNESCO's Prix Versailles awards in 2020. Terminal C is the newest terminal, home to Delta Air Lines and WestJet. Delta Shuttle is the only NYC-area stop at LaGuardia Airport, which runs to Boston, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. The airline was a significant contributor to the LGA's expansion project, which transformed the airport into a state-of-the-art facility with modern terminals and enhanced bus services.
LaGuardia Airport offers many options for transportation into Manhattan, including subway, bus, taxi, or ride-hailing services. The subway and bus cost $2.75 with a MetroCard, while taxis and ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft can cost at least $50. The express shuttle bus to Manhattan costs about $16 but can take up to 2 hours.
Compared to the other NYC airports, LaGuardia offers a more convenient location for those travelling to Midtown Manhattan. However, it is important to consider factors such as flight availability, airline preference, and any connecting flights when deciding which airport to choose.
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JFK Airport is undergoing a $19 billion overhaul
New York City is serviced by three major airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). JFK is New York City's main airport and is located in Queens. It is the largest and busiest of the three airports, serving more than 62 million passengers per year.
JFK Airport is currently undergoing a $19 billion overhaul to redefine air travel and restore its global prestige. The airport, once celebrated as one of the world's finest, has seen its reputation decline in recent years due to complaints about outdated facilities, poor layout, and operational inefficiencies. The $19 billion overhaul includes the construction of two brand-new terminals, Terminal One and Terminal Six, with the former being the largest private-public partnership in the country. The project also involves significant upgrades to existing infrastructure, such as a $400 million expansion of Terminal 8, a $1.5 billion expansion of Terminal 4, and a $4.2 billion upgrade to Terminal 6. Improvements to the road network and transit systems between terminals will also be made to address long-standing connectivity issues.
The redevelopment of the nearly 5,000-acre campus is being managed by STV, LiRo Engineers, and Tectonic Engineering & Surveying Consultants, in partnership with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The Port Authority is investing $3.9 billion in the project, while private partners are contributing $15 billion. The new terminals are expected to enhance passenger flow, reduce delays, and provide a more enjoyable travel experience.
The transformation of JFK Airport is not just about repairing its damaged reputation but also about positioning it as a global leader in air travel once again. With these upgrades, the airport aims to reclaim its status as a world-class airport, offering new amenities, improved infrastructure, and a more seamless experience for travelers.
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Frequently asked questions
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is the closest airport to Midtown Manhattan. It is located in the New York borough of Queens and is only 9 miles or 20 minutes from Manhattan.
You can take the subway or a bus (or a combination of both) from LaGuardia into Manhattan, depending on where you need to go. A bus or subway ride from LaGuardia will cost $2.75 with your MetroCard.
There are two airports in New York City: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA). There is also another airport nearby in New Jersey, called Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
To get to JFK Airport from Manhattan, you can take the AirTrain for $7.75 to either the Jamaica or Howard Beach stations in Queens, New York. From there, you can ride the subway to your destination for $2.75.
To get to Newark Airport from Manhattan, you can take the NJ Transit bus to Port Authority for about $10, or the express bus to Grand Central Terminal for about $18. You can also take a taxi or ride-hail, which will cost at least $50.
