
John F. Kennedy International Airport (IATA: JFK, ICAO: KJFK, FAA LID: JFK) is a major international airport serving New York City and its metropolitan area. The airport is located on the southwestern shore of Long Island, in the neighbourhood of Jamaica, Queens, New York City, and borders Jamaica Bay.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | John F. Kennedy International Airport |
| Airport Location | Jamaica Bay, 12 miles (20 km) south of Lower Manhattan, in the southeastern portion of Queens |
| City | New York City |
| State | New York |
| County | Queens County |
| Area | 5,200 acres (2,100 ha) |
| Elevation | 13 ft / 4 m |
| IATA Code | JFK |
| ICAO Code | KJFK |
| Time Zone | GMT -5 (GMT -4 DST) |
| Coordinates | 40°38′23″N 73°46′44″W |
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What You'll Learn

John F. Kennedy International Airport's location
John F. Kennedy International Airport (IATA: JFK, ICAO: KJFK, FAA LID: JFK) is located on the southwestern shore of Long Island, in Queens, New York City. The airport borders Jamaica Bay and is located in the Jamaica neighbourhood of Queens, 16 miles (26 km) southeast of Midtown Manhattan. The airport is accessible via car, bus, shuttle, or other vehicle transit, using the JFK Expressway or Interstate 678 (Van Wyck Expressway). The airport is also accessible via the New York City Subway, Long Island Rail Road, and MTA Bus services.
JFK Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving New York City and its metropolitan area. It 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 has five or six passenger terminals, two concourses, and four runways, with over 90 or 80 airlines operating flights to destinations on all six inhabited continents.
The airport was opened in 1948 as New York International Airport but was commonly called Idlewild Airport due to its displacement of the Idlewild Beach Golf Course. In 1963, the airport was renamed after President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated that year. JFK Airport is known for its intimidating nature, with a large size and many terminals, and heavy traffic to and from Manhattan, especially during rush hour.
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The airport's terminals
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is located on the southwestern shore of Long Island, in the Jamaica neighbourhood of Queens, New York City. It is one of three major New York international airports, along with LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.
JFK Airport features five or six passenger terminals, two concourses, and four runways. The terminals are numbered 1 through 8, although Terminals 3 and 6 were demolished in 2013 and 2011, respectively. Each terminal was originally known by the primary airline that served it, except for the International Arrivals Building (Terminal 4). In the early 1990s, all terminals were given numbers. Terminal 8 is a major Oneworld hub, with American Airlines operating its hub here. The Tower Air terminal, unlike other terminals at JFK Airport, is located outside the Central Terminals area in Building 213 in Cargo Area A. This terminal has not been used since 2000.
The airport's air traffic control tower, designed by Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, was constructed on the ramp side of Terminal 4 and began full FAA operations in October 1994. At 320 feet (98 m) tall, it was the world's tallest control tower at the time of its completion. The airport's terminals are connected via the complimentary AirTrain JFK, which can be accessed via the New York City subway.
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The airport's runways
John F. Kennedy International Airport (IATA: JFK, ICAO: KJFK, FAA LID: JFK) is located on the southwestern shore of Long Island, in Queens, New York City, bordering Jamaica Bay. The airport covers 5,200 acres or 21 square kilometers (8.1 sq mi). It is the largest airport in the New York metropolitan area.
The airport features five passenger terminals and four runways, with two pairs of parallel runways surrounding the airport's central terminal area. Over 25 miles (40 km) of paved taxiways allow aircraft to move around the airfield. The standard width of these taxiways is 75 feet (23 m), with 25 feet (7.6 m) heavy-duty shoulders and 25-foot (7.6 m) erosion control pavement on each side. The taxiways are generally made of asphalt concrete, 15 to 18 inches (380 to 460 mm) thick. Painted markings, lighted signage, and embedded pavement lighting, including runway status lights, provide both position and directional information for taxiing aircraft.
The air traffic control tower, designed by Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, was constructed on the ramp side of Terminal 4 and began full FAA operations in October 1994. At the time of its completion, the JFK tower, at 320 feet (98 m), was the world's tallest control tower. An Airport Surface Detection Equipment (ASDE) radar unit sits atop the tower.
A VOR-DME station, identified as JFK, is located on the airport property between runways 4R/22L and 4L/22R.
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The airport's history
John F. Kennedy International Airport (IATA: JFK, ICAO: KJFK, FAA LID: JFK) is located on the southwestern shore of Long Island, in Queens, New York City, bordering Jamaica Bay. 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. The airport covers 5,200 acres (2,104 ha) and is the largest in the New York metropolitan area.
The airport opened in 1948 as New York International Airport, although it was commonly known as Idlewild Airport after the Idlewild Beach Golf Course that it displaced. The airport was built to relieve LaGuardia Field, which had become overcrowded after opening in 1939. In late 1941, mayor Fiorello La Guardia announced that the city had chosen a large area of marshland on Jamaica Bay for the new airport.
In its first full year of operation, 1949, the airport handled 222,620 passengers and 18,115 aircraft movements. In 1950, British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) moved in, and El Al started service the following year. In 1951, the first major permanent structure opened on the airport's periphery: a federal building housing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees overseeing operations at Idlewild and other New York-area airports. Another major milestone was reached in 1952, with the opening of an 11-floor permanent air traffic control tower. By the late 1950s, $235 million had been spent on developing Idlewild.
In 1963, the airport was renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport, a month and two days after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The renaming was proposed by Mayor Robert F. Wagner Jr. The airport's original codes, IDL and KIDL, were reassigned to Indianola Municipal Airport in Mississippi, and the new codes JFK and KJFK were adopted, reflecting the fallen president's initials.
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Transport to and from the airport
John F. Kennedy International Airport is located in the southeastern portion of Queens, New York City, and is about 12 miles from midtown Manhattan. The airport is situated in a bustling area, surrounded by residential neighbourhoods, and is well-connected to the city's transport network.
There are several transport options available to get to and from JFK Airport, each with its advantages and considerations. These include subway, bus, taxi, ride-share, and car rental services, as well as the AirTrain, which offers a unique, elevated transport experience.
AirTrain:
The AirTrain is an automated people mover system that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and provides a convenient and efficient way to get to and from the airport. It connects JFK Airport with the New York City Subway and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), offering seamless transfers to and from the airport. The AirTrain has three routes: Howard Beach Route, Jamaica Station Route, and the Airport Route, which serves all passenger terminals, providing easy access to your desired destination. The AirTrain is particularly useful if you are travelling with luggage, as it provides a comfortable and stress-free journey, with ample space for your belongings.
Subway:
Taking the subway is a cost-effective way to travel to and from the airport. You can take the AirTrain to reach the subway stations, with the E, J, and Z lines providing connections to the city. The subway is a good option if you are travelling on a budget and are not in a hurry, as it can be subject to delays and may involve multiple transfers, especially if your destination is outside of Manhattan.
Bus:
Several bus routes serve JFK Airport, providing connections to various parts of Queens and beyond. These include the Q3, Q6, Q7, and B15 buses, which offer relatively affordable and direct journeys to and from the airport. The journey time can vary depending on traffic conditions, and buses may be subject to delays during peak hours.
Taxi, Ride-Share, and Car Rental:
Taxis and ride-share services, such as Uber and Lyft, are readily available at the airport and offer a convenient and direct way to travel to your destination. Taxi stands can be found outside each terminal, providing easy access to these services. Additionally, car rental services are available at the airport, offering the flexibility to travel at your own pace, particularly if you plan to explore areas outside of the city.
With these transport options, getting to and from JFK Airport can be tailored to your preferences and budget, ensuring a smooth arrival or departure from New York City.
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Frequently asked questions
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is located in the Jamaica neighbourhood of Queens, New York City.
The airport can be accessed via the New York City subway. The AirTrain JFK connects the terminals and is located before security.
The fee to park in the economy lot at the airport is $18 for the first 24 hours and $6 for every 8-hour period after that.
There are six passenger terminals at JFK airport.





























