Jfk Airport: What County Is It In?

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is a major international airport serving New York City and its metropolitan area. Located on the southwestern shore of Long Island, in Queens, New York City, JFK Airport is found in the Jamaica neighbourhood of Queens County.

John F. Kennedy International Airport's location

John F. Kennedy International Airport (IATA: JFK, ICAO: KJFK, FAA LID: JFK) is located in the southeastern section of Queens County, New York City, on the southwestern shore of Long Island, bordering Jamaica Bay. The airport is about 15-16 miles by highway from Midtown Manhattan. It is the busiest airport in the New York airport system, which consists of seven airports, and is the sixth-busiest airport in the United States. Over 90 airlines operate from JFK, with nonstop or direct flights to destinations on all six inhabited continents.

The airport is a hub for American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue. It was opened in 1948 as New York International Airport and was commonly known as Idlewild Airport, after the Idlewild Beach Golf Course that it displaced. In 1963, following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the airport was renamed in tribute to him.

JFK Airport covers 4,930-5,200 acres, including 880 acres in the Central Terminal Area. It has five passenger terminals, six terminals in total if cargo is included, and four runways. The airport features about 175 aircraft gate positions and is accessible by car, bus, shuttle, or other vehicle transit via the JFK Expressway or Interstate 678 (Van Wyck Expressway).

The AirTrain JFK, which began construction in 1998, is a high-speed, light-rail service that links the airport to New York City and beyond. It connects to the Long Island Railroad and the New York City subway at Howard Beach and Jamaica. The airport is operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey under a lease with the City of New York, which also owns the airport.

The airport's history

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is located in the southeastern section of Queens County, New York City, on the southwestern shore of Long Island, bordering Jamaica Bay. The airport is the busiest of the seven airports in the New York airport system, the sixth-busiest airport in the United States, and the busiest international commercial airport in North America.

JFK Airport was opened in 1948 as New York International Airport, commonly known as Idlewild Airport, after the Idlewild Beach Golf Course that it displaced. The airport was built on a large area of marshland on Jamaica Bay, which was chosen in 1941 by Mayor Fiorello La Guardia to relieve LaGuardia Field, which had become overcrowded after its opening in 1939. The facility has been operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey since June 1, 1947, under a lease with the City of New York.

The airport's opening ceremony was attended by an estimated 215,000 spectators from around the world, including 500 journalists. The ceremony featured a huge military exhibit costing $10 million and included a flyover of numerous bombers, jet fighters, and other military aircraft. The opening was also marked by addresses from President Harry S. Truman and Governor Thomas Dewey, who were rivals for the presidential election that year. Unfortunately, Mayor La Guardia, the driving force behind the airport's construction, passed away six months before the airport's opening.

In its first full year of operation, 1949, the airport handled 222,620 passengers and 18,115 aircraft movements. The airport originally featured six runways, with three in operation and three more opening in 1949. A seventh runway was also under construction. By the late 1950s, $235 million had been spent on developing the airport, including the construction of an 11-floor permanent air traffic control tower, 11 hangars, an air traffic control centre, a large air freight building, and a weather bureau.

In 1958–59, airlines began scheduling jets to Idlewild, and in 1963, the airport was renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The airport's IATA and ICAO codes were changed to JFK and KJFK, adopting the fallen president's initials.

Transport links to the airport

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is located in Queens County, New York City, on the southwestern shore of Long Island, bordering Jamaica Bay. It is the busiest airport in the New York airport system and is a major international airport serving New York City and its metropolitan area.

JFK Airport is accessible by car, bus, shuttle, or other vehicle transit via the JFK Expressway or Interstate 678 (Van Wyck Expressway). A ring road also connects the airport terminals to the Van Wyck Expressway and the Belt Parkway. The Expressway runs through the terminal nucleus, with entrances marked for each terminal.

The AirTrain JFK is a high-speed, light-rail service that links the airport to New York City and beyond. It connects to the Long Island Railroad and the New York City subway at Howard Beach and Jamaica. The AirTrain also provides free connections between terminals, rental car facilities, hotel shuttle areas, and parking lots.

Passengers can also take the JFK Airport buses to several locations, including Queens and Brooklyn. A taxi service is also available at all airport terminal buildings, providing a fast and private means of transportation.

Several hotels are located adjacent to the airport, including the Courtyard by Marriott and the Crowne Plaza. These hotels offer courtesy shuttles, which can be accessed by taking the AirTrain to Federal Circle Station.

There are also private companies that offer ground transportation services to and from the airport, such as GO Airlink NYC, which provides shared and private rides to and from the airport.

The airport's terminals

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is located in the Jamaica neighbourhood of Queens, New York City, 15 to 16 miles southeast of Midtown Manhattan. The airport features five passenger terminals, with sources stating there are six terminals in total, including cargo terminals. The terminals are numbered 1 to 8 but skip terminals 3 and 6, which were demolished in 2013 and 2011, respectively. Terminal 1 opened in 1998, and Terminal 4, which replaced 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 American Airlines. Terminal 7 was also demolished, with British Airways and Iberia moving to Terminal 8 in 2022. The airport's terminals offer a variety of dining options, with 24, 14, 32, 41, 8, and 14 restaurants or grab-and-go food locations in Terminals 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8, respectively. The airport also provides free unlimited WiFi and plenty of charging stations, lounges, nursing suites, and service animal relief areas.

JFK Airport is easily accessible via various transportation options, including car, bus, shuttle, or other vehicle transit using the JFK Expressway or Interstate 678 (Van Wyck Expressway). Additionally, the AirTrain JFK, a high-speed light-rail service, connects the airport terminals to the New York City Subway and the Long Island Railroad at Howard Beach and Jamaica, offering free connections within the airport premises.

The airport's restaurants and amenities

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is located in Queens County, New York City, on the southwestern shore of Long Island, bordering Jamaica Bay. It is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving New York City and its metropolitan area. With such a large number of passengers passing through its gates, JFK offers a plethora of restaurants and amenities to keep travellers entertained, well-fed, and comfortable during their time at the airport.

Restaurants

JFK Airport offers a wide variety of dining options, ranging from quick-service to sit-down restaurants. For those looking for a quick bite, there are several grab-and-go options, including Custom Burger, Deep Blue on the Fly, Dunkin'., and Eggy Weggy. The airport also has a few familiar fast-casual options, such as Shake Shack and Pizza Vino.

For travellers seeking a more leisurely dining experience, there are sit-down restaurants like Loft, which offers an all-day breakfast, and The Palm Bar & Grille, a famed Manhattan steakhouse with an airport outpost. Other notable spots include Mi Casa Cantina and Restaurant, serving up Mexican street food and cocktails, and Vino Kitchen and Bar, a wine bar with a diverse drink selection and paninis.

For those with a more refined palate, there's Piquillo, a Spanish tapas spot, and AeroNuova, an Italian restaurant with a menu crafted by renowned chef Mark Ladner. And for a taste of the Far East, Lucy's Asian Kitchen offers fast-casual Asian fare, while Deep Blue Sushi and Bento Sushi provide a more upscale experience.

Amenities

In addition to its diverse dining options, JFK Airport also provides a range of amenities to cater to travellers' needs. The airport offers free unlimited WiFi, ensuring that passengers can stay connected during their time at the airport. For those seeking accommodation, there are several hotels adjacent to the airport, including the Courtyard by Marriott and the Crowne Plaza.

The airport also has a medical service office located in Building 22A, which is easily accessible via a free shuttle bus service that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For added convenience, emergency medical technicians are on hand 24 hours a day to handle any medical emergencies that may arise.

JFK Airport also boasts a luxury terminal for pets called The Ark, which opened in 2017. This facility provides luxurious accommodations for animals being transported, ensuring they travel in style and comfort.

With its array of restaurants and amenities, JFK Airport ensures that travellers have a delightful and convenient experience as they pass through.

Frequently asked questions