Ruth Haines
John F. Kennedy International Airport, commonly referred to as JFK Airport, is an international airport located in the Jamaica neighbourhood of Queens, New York City. The airport is named after John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States, who was assassinated in 1963. With five passenger terminals and four runways, JFK is a major aviation hub for several airlines and registered over 62 million passengers in 2023.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Form | John F. Kennedy International Airport |
| Location | Jamaica, Queens, New York City |
| Distance from Midtown Manhattan | 16 miles (26 km) |
| Distance from Manhattan | 12 miles |
| Number of Terminals | 6 |
| Number of Runways | 4 |
| Operating Airlines | American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Norse Atlantic Airways, Polar Air Cargo |
| Top Destinations | Paris, London, Los Angeles |
| Total Passengers in 2023 | 62,440,306 |
| Area Covered | 5,200 acres or 21 square kilometers (8.1 sq mi) |
| Taxiway Length | 25 miles (40 km) |
| Taxiway Width | 75 feet (23 m) |
| Taxiway Shoulder Width | 25 feet (7.6 m) |
| Taxiway Erosion Control Pavement Width | 25 feet (7.6 m) |
| Former Names | New York International Airport, Idlewild Airport |
| Year of Opening | 1948 |
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What You'll Learn
John F. Kennedy International Airport's history and former names
John F. Kennedy International Airport, commonly referred to as JFK Airport, is located in the Jamaica neighbourhood of Queens, New York City, and is the busiest airport in the New York airport system. The airport opened in 1948 as New York International Airport, but was commonly known as Idlewild Airport, named after the Idlewild Beach Golf Course that it displaced.
Idlewild Airport was built to relieve LaGuardia Field, which had become overcrowded after its opening in 1939. In 1941, mayor Fiorello La Guardia announced that the city had chosen a large area of marshland on Jamaica Bay for the new airfield. The airport's opening ceremony in 1948 was attended by an estimated 215,000 spectators from around the world, including 500 journalists. By 1949, the airport handled 222,620 passengers and 18,115 aircraft movements.
In the 1950s, several improvements were made to Idlewild Airport, including the construction of an 11-floor permanent air traffic control tower, 11 hangars, a large air freight building, and a weather bureau. By the late 1950s, $235 million had been spent on developing the airport. Airlines began scheduling jets to Idlewild in 1958–59, and by the 1960s, it had become New York's busiest airport.
On December 24, 1963, a month after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Idlewild Airport was renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport in tribute to the fallen president. The airport's IATA code, JFK, also adopts the president's initials.
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Terminals and their facilities
John F. Kennedy International Airport, commonly known as JFK Airport, is located in the Jamaica neighbourhood of Queens, New York City, and features five passenger terminals and four runways. The airport is accessible via car, bus, shuttle, or other vehicle transit, and is served by the AirTrain JFK, an elevated railway that provides service to all airport terminals and parking areas.
Terminal 1
Opened in 1998, Terminal 1 serves various international airlines and offers a wide variety of dining and shopping options, including fast-food chains, casual eateries, designer shops, and duty-free areas. It is the only terminal with a landside food court and 24/7 eating establishments, and one of two terminals that can handle the Airbus A380. Terminal 1 has 11 gates and is home to a range of airlines, including Air China, Air France, Air New Zealand, Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, and many others.
Terminal 4
Terminal 4, which opened in 2001, is a massive terminal building that replaced the old International Arrivals Building. It serves more than 34 airlines and offers dining and retail options, as well as a chapel area. Terminal 4 is known for its large shopping mall and is the terminal that operates with more international arrival flights.
Terminal 5
Terminal 5 is the home of JetBlue, although it serves other airlines as well, including Cape Air. It incorporates the TWA Flight Center and has 29 gates spread across two levels: departures and arrivals. Terminal 5 offers a range of facilities and services, including retail shops, duty-free stores, food and beverage options, a USO centre, pet relief areas, nursing suites, and a spa.
Terminal 7
Terminal 7 is operated by British Airways and offers adequate amenities to travellers, including a Departures and Arrivals level, and a Concourse zone with boarding gates. Terminal 7 has 12 gates and is served by several international airlines, including Aer Lingus, Aerolineas Argentinas, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, and All Nippon Airways.
Terminal 8
Terminal 8 is located in the same place as the old Terminals 8 and 9 and is a major aviation hub for Oneworld member airlines, particularly American Airlines, which manages the terminal. Terminal 8 features a priority parcel service facility with 30-minute drop-offs and pick-ups for priority parcel shipments within the US.
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Airlines that use JFK as a hub
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is a major international gateway hub for several airlines. The airport is located in the Jamaica neighbourhood of Queens, 12 to 16 miles southeast of Manhattan. It is accessible via car, bus, shuttle, or other vehicle transit, or by train.
JFK is a hub for American Airlines, with Terminal 8 being a major Oneworld hub for the airline. Terminals 8 and 9 were demolished and rebuilt as the current Terminal 8 for American Airlines' domestic operations and American Eagle flights.
JFK is also a hub for Delta Air Lines, with Terminals 2 and 3 serving as the Delta hub. Delta's JFK hub is geared towards medium- and long-haul flights, complementing its other New York hub at LaGuardia Airport, which focuses on short-haul operations.
JetBlue also has a strong presence at JFK, with Terminal 5 incorporating the TWA Flight Center. The airline has a consortium with JFK Millennium Partners, which operates Terminal 7, and plans to build a new Terminal 6 as a direct replacement.
Other airlines that use JFK as a focus city or base include Norse Atlantic Airways, Polar Air Cargo, Virgin America, and regional subsidiaries of major US airlines.
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Transport to and from the airport
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is located in the Jamaica neighbourhood of Queens, 12 to 16 miles southeast of Manhattan. The airport is accessible via car, bus, shuttle, or other vehicle transit using the JFK Expressway or Interstate 678 (Van Wyck Expressway). It can also be reached by train.
AirTrain
The AirTrain JFK is an elevated railway that services JFK Airport. It stops at all airport terminals (except Terminal 4, where it stops outside the building) and parking areas. It is connected to the Long Island Rail Road and New York City Subway in Queens. The AirTrain operates 24/7 and is free within the terminal areas and to the parking lots, hotels, shuttles, and car rentals. The AirTrain fare is $8.50, and children under five travel for free.
Subway
To get to JFK Airport by subway, make sure your train is headed to Far Rockaway. Lefferts Boulevard-bound trains do not connect to the airport. You can use OMNY or a MetroCard to pay the $2.90 subway fare and $8.50 AirTrain fare. Unlimited-ride MetroCards can be used on the subway but not on the AirTrain. The total fare is $13.50 or $15.50 for most riders from Manhattan or Brooklyn.
Long Island Rail Road (LIRR)
You can board Long Island Rail Road trains at Penn Station or Grand Central in Manhattan or Atlantic Terminal in Downtown Brooklyn. All LIRR services except the Port Washington branch go through Jamaica, though not all trains stop there. At Jamaica Station, take the stairs, elevators, or escalators to the upper level to board the AirTrain. The LIRR fare from Manhattan to Jamaica is $5 during off-peak hours and $7 during peak hours.
Shuttle
SuperShuttle Express of New York provides door-to-door service to and from JFK Airport. They offer advanced reservations and upfront pricing for black car, SUV, and private van rides.
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Passenger statistics
John F. Kennedy International Airport (IATA: JFK, ICAO: KJFK), commonly referred to as JFK Airport, is named after John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States, following his assassination in 1963. The airport is located in the Jamaica neighbourhood of Queens, 12 to 16 miles southeast of Manhattan.
JFK Airport is a major international gateway hub for American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, and a focus city for JetBlue, Norse Atlantic Airways, and Polar Air Cargo. The airport features five or six passenger terminals and four runways.
In 2021, approximately 30.8 million passengers arrived at JFK Airport, making it one of the busiest airports in the United States. During 2023, the airport registered a total of 62,440,306 passengers.
The airport has a long history, dating back to 1948 when it opened as New York International Airport, commonly known as Idlewild Airport. It became New York's busiest airport in the late 1950s and early 1960s, experiencing a peak of 403,981 airline operations in 1967.
JFK Airport has undergone significant development over the years, with Terminal 1 opening in 1998, followed by Terminal 4 in 2001 and Terminal 5, which incorporates the TWA Flight Center. Terminals 8 and 9 were demolished and rebuilt as Terminal 8 for American Airlines. The airport covers 5,200 acres or 21 square kilometres, with over 25 miles of paved taxiways.
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Frequently asked questions
John F. Kennedy International Airport. The airport was renamed in tribute to President John F. Kennedy, a month and two days after his assassination in 1963.
JFK Airport was unique for its use of all-glass mullions dividing the window sections, which was unprecedented at the time it was built.
There are 6 operating terminals at JFK Airport.
The top destinations from JFK Airport are Paris, London, and Los Angeles.
JFK Airport is located in the Jamaica neighbourhood of Queens, 16 miles southeast of Midtown Manhattan. The airport is primarily accessible via car, bus, shuttle, or other vehicle transit via the JFK Expressway or Interstate 678. It is also accessible by train.
