Lois Larson
John F. Kennedy International Airport, commonly abbreviated as JFK, is located in the Jamaica neighbourhood of Queens, New York. The airport is named after President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963. JFK is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving as a hub for several major airlines and handling both domestic and international flights. With five passenger terminals and four runways, the airport accommodates various aircraft, including the Airbus A380.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | John F. Kennedy International Airport |
| Abbreviation | JFK |
| Location | Jamaica, Queens, New York |
| Year Opened | 1948 |
| Former Name | Idlewild Airport |
| Number of Terminals | 5 |
| Number of Runways | 4 |
| Accessibility | Car, bus, shuttle, train, JFK Expressway, Interstate 678 (Van Wyck Expressway) |
| Hubs | American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue |
| Former Hubs | Braniff, Eastern, Flying Tigers, National, Northeast, Northwest, Pan Am, Seaboard World, Tower Air, TWA |
| Notable Features | AirTrain JFK, Terminal 1 designed by William Nicholas Bodouva + Associates |
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What You'll Learn
John F. Kennedy International Airport's history
John F. Kennedy International Airport, abbreviated as JFK, is located on the southwestern shore of Long Island, in Queens, New York City. It borders Jamaica Bay and is 16 miles (26 km) southeast of Midtown Manhattan. The airport is primarily accessible via car, bus, shuttle, or other vehicle transit through the JFK Expressway or Interstate 678 (Van Wyck Expressway). It is also accessible by train.
The airport opened in 1948 as New York International Airport and was commonly known as Idlewild Airport, after the Idlewild Beach Golf Course that it displaced. It was built to relieve LaGuardia Field, which had become overcrowded after its 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 a new airfield. This area included the Idlewild Golf Course, a summer hotel, and a landing strip called the Jamaica Sea-Airport. The airport initially had six runways, with three in operation, and two more opening in 1949. In its first full year of operation, 1949, the airport handled 222,620 passengers and 18,115 aircraft movements.
In 1951, the first major permanent structure was opened on the airport's periphery, the federal building, housing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees overseeing operations at Idlewild and other New York area airports. Another major milestone was the opening of an 11-floor permanent air traffic control tower in 1952, from which ground movements, departures, and landings were controlled. This tower was planned to become integrated into the future passenger terminal complex.
Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, the airport was renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport in tribute to him.
Today, JFK Airport is a major international airport serving New York City and its metropolitan area. It 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. Over 90 airlines operate from JFK Airport, offering nonstop or direct flights to destinations on all six inhabited continents. The airport features five passenger terminals and four runways, with Terminal 1 designed by William Nicholas Bodouva + Associates. It is a hub for American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, as well as the primary operating base for JetBlue.
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Terminals and airlines at JFK
John F. Kennedy International Airport, commonly abbreviated to JFK, is located in the Jamaica neighbourhood of Queens, New York City, and is the busiest airport in the New York airport system. It features five passenger terminals and four runways, with over 90 airlines operating out of the airport.
Terminal 1, which opened in 1998, is served by SkyTeam carriers Air France, China Eastern Airlines, Korean Air, Saudia, and Scandinavian Airlines. Star Alliance carriers serving Terminal 1 include Air China, Air New Zealand, Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Egyptair, EVA Air, Lufthansa, Swiss International Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, and Turkish Airlines. Oneworld carrier Royal Air Maroc also serves Terminal 1, alongside other airlines such as Air Serbia, Azores Airlines, Cayman Airways, Flair Airlines, ITA Airways, Neos, Philippine Airlines, Viva, and Volaris. Terminal 1 is one of two terminals at JFK with the capability to handle the Airbus A380 aircraft.
Terminal 2 handles almost exclusively domestic airlines as it is not equipped with US customs facilities. Delta Airlines passengers can transfer airside from Terminal 2 to Terminal 4 for free using the Delta Jitney buses. Terminal 2 is planned to be demolished and replaced by Terminal 1.
Terminal 4, which opened in 2001, is one of the biggest terminals at JFK, serving both international and domestic destinations. Airlines operating out of Terminal 4 include Aeromexico, Air India, Air Europa, Avianca, Caribbean, China Airlines, China Southern, Copa Airlines, Delta, ELAL, Emirates, Etihad, Hainan, JetBlue, Kenya Airways, KLM, Kuwait Airways, LATAM, Singapore Airlines, Uzbekistan Airways, Virgin Atlantic, WestJet, and Xiamen Air. Terminal 4 is the other terminal capable of handling the Airbus A380 aircraft.
Terminal 5 is considered the JetBlue terminal, although it serves other airlines as well. Terminal 8 is the hub for American Airlines.
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Accessibility and transportation to and from JFK
John F. Kennedy International Airport, commonly abbreviated to JFK, is one of three major airports serving the New York City metro area. Located on the southwestern shore of Long Island in Queens, New York City, JFK is the busiest airport in the New York airport system and the sixth-busiest airport in the United States.
JFK Airport is accessible via several transportation options, including car, bus, shuttle, or other vehicle transit. The airport is situated near the JFK Expressway and Interstate 678 (Van Wyck Expressway), providing convenient access for vehicular traffic.
For travellers opting for public transportation, the AirTrain JFK is the primary and most efficient option. This train system connects each of the airport's terminals to the New York City Subway and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) at Howard Beach and Jamaica. From Jamaica Station, travellers can access Manhattan and other NYC boroughs. The AirTrain JFK commenced operations in 2003, providing a long-awaited direct rail link to the airport.
In addition to the AirTrain, travellers can utilise city bus routes that connect to other bus routes, the subway, and rail services. All New York City buses are wheelchair accessible, featuring mechanical lifts or fold-out ramps. Accessible taxi services are also available at designated cab stands outside each terminal.
JFK Airport is committed to providing accessibility for all. Wheelchair assistance and disability assistance services are offered free of charge to disabled passengers. Personal wheelchairs and mobility equipment are permitted up to the aircraft door. Special Service Requests (SSRs) should be made in advance through the passenger's chosen airline. The airport's terminals are expansive, with Terminal 4 spanning nearly one mile in length, so passengers may encounter significant walking distances between gates.
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The busiest airports in the world
The abbreviation for John F. Kennedy International Airport is JFK. The airport is located in the Jamaica neighbourhood of Queens, 16 miles southeast of Midtown Manhattan, and is accessible by car, bus, shuttle, train, or other vehicle transit.
Airports are ranked by passenger traffic, with the busiest airports in the world acting as vital arteries of trade, commerce, and connectivity. Here is a look at some of the busiest airports:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has been the world's busiest airport every year since 1998, with the exception of 2020 when travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted air travel. Atlanta quickly regained its top position in 2021 and has held it since. The airport's hometown carrier, Delta, operates over 1,000 daily flights to more than 200 destinations worldwide.
Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport is the home base of Emirates, one of the world's largest airlines. The airline offers convenient connections to 85 countries on six continents. A $35 billion project is underway to replace Dubai International Airport with Al Maktoum International Airport, which is expected to become the world's largest airport when it opens by 2034.
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is the second busiest airport in the United States and the largest hub for American Airlines. The airport saw a 17% increase in passenger traffic in 2024 compared to 2019. American Airlines operates flights to nearly 250 destinations, including a non-stop route to Australia in partnership with Qantas.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport
Shanghai Pudong International Airport saw the biggest jump in the top 10 rankings, going from 21st position in 2023 to 10th in 2024. This significant improvement was fuelled by expanded visa policies, the resumption and expansion of international flights, operational enhancements, and the recovery of the Asia-Pacific region, particularly China.
Istanbul Airport
Istanbul Airport is not only one of the busiest airports in the world but also the most connected, according to an analysis by CNN. The state-of-the-art airport opened in 2018, replacing the outdated Atatürk Airport and boosting Istanbul's capacity for air travel.
These airports have successfully maintained their top rankings despite challenges such as economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and capacity constraints. They play a crucial role in facilitating global trade, commerce, and connectivity.
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Former hubs at JFK Airport
John F. Kennedy International Airport, commonly abbreviated to JFK, is located in the Jamaica neighbourhood of Queens, New York. The airport is a hub for American Airlines and Delta Air Lines and is the primary operating base for JetBlue.
JFK Airport has also had several former hubs, including:
Braniff
Braniff International Airways was a US airline that operated from 1928 until it ceased operations in 1982. The airline was based in Dallas, Texas, and primarily served the United States, Mexico, and South America. Braniff was known for its innovative and bold approach to airline service, including the introduction of the "end-of-plane" food service and the "air strip" seatback tray.
Eastern
Eastern Air Lines was a major American airline that operated from 1926 until 1991. It was one of the "Big Four" domestic airlines in the US, along with United, American, and Trans World Airlines (TWA). Eastern's headquarters were at Miami International Airport, and the airline had hubs in several cities, including New York, Boston, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Flying Tigers
Flying Tigers Airline, officially known as National Airlines, was an American airline that operated from 1945 to 1989. The airline was unique in that it was formed from the remnants of the World War II-era Flying Tigers fighter group. Flying Tigers initially focused on cargo operations, but later expanded to include passenger services as well.
National
National Airlines was another major American airline that operated from 1934 to 1980. The airline was headquartered in Miami, Florida, and had hubs in several cities, including New York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. National Airlines was known for its innovative marketing campaigns and its focus on passenger comfort and entertainment.
Northeast
Northeast Airlines was a US airline that operated from 1931 until its merger with Delta Air Lines in 1972. The airline was based in Boston, Massachusetts, and served destinations throughout the northeastern United States, as well as Canada and the Caribbean. Northeast was known for its focus on regional service and its use of smaller, propeller-driven aircraft.
These are just a few examples of the former hubs at JFK Airport, showcasing the dynamic nature of the aviation industry and the evolution of airline hubs over time.
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Frequently asked questions
JFK. The airport was named after President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963.
JFK Airport is located in the Jamaica neighbourhood of Queens, 16 miles southeast of Midtown Manhattan.
The airport first opened in 1948 as New York International Airport, but it was commonly known as Idlewild Airport. In 1963, it was renamed after President Kennedy.
JFK is one of the busiest airports in the world, with over 53 million passengers flying through it each year. It serves as a hub for domestic and international flights and is home to major airlines such as Delta Airlines, American Airlines, and JetBlue Airways.
