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New York City is served by three major international airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). JFK, located in Queens, is the largest and busiest airport in the New York metropolitan area, serving over 62 million passengers annually. LaGuardia Airport, also located in Queens, is known for its modern facilities and award-winning terminals, offering a range of dining options. Newark Liberty International Airport, located in New Jersey, is the third major airport serving the New York City area. Each of these airports plays a crucial role in connecting New York City with destinations around the world, accommodating a vast number of passengers each year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Airports in New York City | 3 major airports, 7 in total in the New York airport system |
| Names of the Airports | John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), New York International Airport (historical name) |
| Location | John F. Kennedy International Airport is in Queens, New York City, bordering Jamaica Bay. LaGuardia Airport is also in Queens. |
| Year of Opening | John F. Kennedy International Airport opened in 1948. |
| Number of Terminals | John F. Kennedy International Airport has 5 terminals. LaGuardia Airport has Terminal A and Terminal B. |
| Accessibility | John F. Kennedy International Airport is accessible via car, bus, shuttle, or other vehicle transit. It is also connected to the New York City Subway and the Long Island Rail Road via the AirTrain JFK people-mover system. |
| Airlines | Over 70 airlines fly in and out of John F. Kennedy International Airport, including international carriers such as Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Air France, Finnair, and EgyptAir. LaGuardia Airport is served by 8 carriers: United, American, Delta, Air Canada, Frontier, Southwest, Spirit, and JetBlue. |
| Passenger Traffic | John F. Kennedy International Airport handles more than 62 million passengers per year. LaGuardia Airport served 30.6 million domestic passengers in 2023. |
| Dining and Amenities | John F. Kennedy International Airport has a wide range of shops, bars, cafes, and restaurants. LaGuardia Airport's Terminal B has been praised for its dining options, including Shake Shack, Bubby's, Dos Toros Taqueria, and Talde. |
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What You'll Learn
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
John F. Kennedy International Airport (IATA: JFK, ICAO: KJFK, FAA LID: JFK), commonly known as JFK, is a major international airport serving New York City and its metropolitan area. Located on the southwestern shore of Long Island, in the Queens borough of New York City, JFK borders Jamaica Bay. It is the largest and busiest airport in the New York metropolitan area, serving over 62 million passengers annually. The airport covers 5,200 acres of land and features five passenger terminals and four runways.
JFK is accessible primarily by road, with connections to the JFK Expressway and Interstate 678 (Van Wyck Expressway). The airport is also served by the AirTrain JFK people-mover system, which provides direct rail access to the New York City Subway and the Long Island Rail Road at Howard Beach and Jamaica stations. This system opened in 2003, after decades of planning for a direct rail link to the airport.
JFK is New York City's busiest airport, with over 90 airlines operating from the airport. These include major carriers such as Delta, JetBlue, and American Airlines. The airport offers nonstop or direct flights to destinations on all six inhabited continents, providing a wide range of options for travellers.
The airport was originally known as Idlewild Airport (IATA: IDL, ICAO: KIDL, FAA LID: IDL), named after the Idlewild Beach Golf Course that it displaced. It opened in 1948 as New York International Airport, with its first flight taking off on July 1 of that year. The airport has undergone numerous expansions and renovations since its opening, including the addition of new terminals, runways, and a control tower.
JFK Airport offers a variety of facilities for passengers, including shops, bars, cafes, and restaurants. It also provides special assistance services to ensure a smooth journey for all travellers.
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LaGuardia Airport
New York City has three major airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Airport. This answer will focus on LaGuardia Airport.
In the 2000s and 2010s, LaGuardia Airport was criticised for its outdated facilities and poor customer service. However, after a multibillion-dollar reconstruction completed in January 2025, the airport's Terminal B was named the best new airport in the world at UNESCO's Prix Versailles awards. The terminal now boasts popular dining options, including Shake Shack, Bubby's, and Dos Toros Taqueria. LaGuardia Airport is located directly north of the Grand Central Parkway, its primary access highway.
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New York's three major airports
New York City is served by three major airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
John F. Kennedy International Airport, located in Queens, is New York City's main airport and the largest and busiest of the three. It is situated on the southwestern shore of Long Island, bordering Jamaica Bay. Over 90 airlines operate from JFK, offering nonstop or direct flights to destinations on all six inhabited continents. The airport features five passenger terminals and four runways and is accessible via car, bus, shuttle, or other vehicle transit.
LaGuardia Airport, also located in Queens, is known for its modern facilities and award-winning terminals. It serves as the only NYC-area stop for the Delta Shuttle, connecting to Boston, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. LaGuardia offers a variety of dining options, including popular New York restaurants such as Shake Shack, Bubby's, and Dos Toros Taqueria.
Newark Liberty International Airport, located in Newark, New Jersey, is the third major airport serving the New York City area. While not directly in New York City, it is conveniently located nearby and provides another option for travellers.
These three airports collectively handle a significant volume of passenger traffic and contribute to the vibrant aviation network in and around New York City.
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TWA Hotel at JFK Airport
New York City is served by three major airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). JFK Airport, located in Queens, is the city's largest and busiest airport, seeing over 62 million passengers annually.
The TWA Hotel, which opened on May 15, 2019, is a unique hotel located within the boundaries of JFK Airport. The hotel incorporates the TWA Flight Center's head house, designed by the renowned architect Eero Saarinen and completed in 1962. The head house, which had stopped functioning as an air terminal in 2001, was preserved as a New York City landmark and is complemented by two new flanking buildings.
The TWA Hotel offers 512 guest rooms, a range of dining options, and an aviation history museum. Guests can dine at the Paris Café by Jean-Georges Vongerichten, enjoy cocktails in the Connie Cocktail Lounge, or step back in time in the 1958 Constellation airplane-turned-cocktail lounge. The hotel also features conference spaces, a 10,000-square-foot fitness centre, and an underground event space with 45 meeting rooms and a large meeting hall.
The hotel's design pays homage to the glamour of the 1960s, with replicas of the original ceramic floor tiles and custom window panels. The rooftop features an infinity swimming pool, which transforms into the ski lodge-themed Runway Chalet during winter, offering stunning views of the airport. The TWA Hotel provides a distinctive experience for travellers, blending aviation history with modern amenities and convenient access to JFK Airport's terminals.
The TWA Hotel has received mixed reviews, with some guests praising its nostalgic charm and unique design while others have reported issues with alarms, unfinished rooms, and inconsistent customer service. Despite some criticisms, the hotel stands as a remarkable fusion of aviation and hospitality, offering guests a one-of-a-kind experience in the heart of one of the world's busiest airports.
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Accessibility at JFK Airport
New York's main airport is called John F. Kennedy International Airport, or JFK Airport for short. It is located in Queens and is the largest and busiest of the three major airports serving New York City, seeing more than 62 million passengers per year.
JFK Airport offers a range of accessibility services to accommodate passengers with special needs. Here are some of the key features:
Accessible Parking
The parking lots closest to the terminal entrances have a limited number of spaces reserved for travellers with disabilities. It is recommended to arrive early to secure one of these spots, as they can fill up quickly during peak demand times. Official license plates indicating a disability must be displayed to park in these spaces, and parking fees are set at the lowest available rate.
Wheelchair Services
JFK Airport provides wheelchair services, and passengers can request assistance from their airline in advance of their flight. Airside transfer vehicles, or mobile lounges, used to transport passengers between arriving/departing aircraft and the gate area, are wheelchair accessible and have reserved spaces. Additionally, customer service representatives are available in the arrivals areas and welcome centres of all terminals to assist with locating wheelchair providers.
Accessible Restrooms and Facilities
All terminals at JFK Airport feature accessible restrooms and water fountains that comply with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements. Relief areas for service animals are also available, designated by signs with the international symbol for pet relief.
Assistance for Visually Impaired Passengers
JFK Terminal 4 (T4) offers complimentary Aira Access to blind or low-vision customers. Through the Aira smartphone app, users can connect with an agent who provides visual descriptions based on the video stream from the phone's camera and other data.
Sunflower Lanyard Programme
JFK Airport participates in the Sunflower Lanyard programme, which was first pioneered at Gatwick International Airport in London. The programme offers sunflower lanyards to passengers with hidden disabilities, such as autism, PTSD, or ADHD. Wearing the lanyard communicates that these passengers may need extra help or time, and it is available for free at various locations within the airport.
TSA Cares
The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) offers additional support to passengers who may need extra assistance at the security checkpoint. Passengers can call TSA Cares at least 72 hours before travelling to ask questions and get information about screening policies and procedures.
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Frequently asked questions
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is New York City's main airport. It is located in Queens and is the largest and busiest of the three major airports serving the city.
The other two major airports in New York City are LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Newark Airport.
The airport was originally known as New York International Airport, but it was commonly referred to as Idlewild Airport after the Idlewild Beach Golf Course that it displaced.
JFK Airport currently has five passenger terminals. Terminal 1 opened in 1998, and Terminal 4 opened in 2001 as a replacement for the International Arrivals Building.
