Ruth Haines
New York City is serviced by three major airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Several factors determine the best airport to fly into, including your origin and destination, mode of transportation, and budget. JFK is the largest and busiest airport in NYC, with the most flight options, but it is not easily accessible by public transportation from Manhattan. LGA is a smaller, mostly domestic airport with recently renovated terminals, ideal for those staying in Queens, Midtown, or Williamsburg. EWR is located in New Jersey and is a good option for those staying in Manhattan or New Jersey, with convenient public transportation options and a variety of international carriers.
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What You'll Learn
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
JFK is connected to the subway via the A, E lines, and AirTrain, and it has the most flights and time options, both domestic and international. Over 70-90 airlines operate from JFK, with nonstop or direct flights to destinations on all six inhabited continents. Some of the airlines include American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue, Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, and Air France.
The airport features five passenger terminals and four runways. While some terminals are modern and decent, others have been described as "horrible," with long walks to the end gates and limited food options. The airport is primarily accessible by car, bus, shuttle, or other vehicle transit via the JFK Expressway or Interstate 678 (Van Wyck Expressway).
JFK is about 10 miles south of LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and is most accessible from Brooklyn, Queens, the east side of Manhattan, and Manhattan's Upper East Side. While it is a popular choice for many travellers due to its flight options, lounges, shops, and dining, it can be more expensive to get to and from JFK compared to LGA via cab or rideshare services.
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LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
LaGuardia Airport is the smallest of New York City's three major airports, the others being John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). LGA is located about 10 miles north of JFK and is most accessible from Queens, Manhattan's Upper East Side, the Bronx, and northern Brooklyn.
LaGuardia Airport primarily serves domestic destinations, but also offers limited international flights. In 2023, the airport served 30.6 million domestic passengers, making it the third-busiest airport in the New York metropolitan area and the 19th-busiest in the United States.
LGA has undergone significant renovations and transformations, including an $8 billion redevelopment project that has transformed its previously dated facilities. The airport now features modern terminals, an improved Uber/Lyft pickup zone, and a new air traffic control tower.
When choosing which airport to fly into in New York City, factors such as flight availability, airline preference, connecting flights, and accommodation location should be considered. LGA is a popular choice for domestic travellers and those staying in Queens, Midtown, or Williamsburg, as it offers convenient access to these areas. However, it is important to note that LGA has fewer flight options compared to other airports due to perimeter rules that restrict long-distance nonstop flights.
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Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
EWR is a major international airport and the second-busiest in the New York airport system, serving 43.4 million passengers in 2022, and 49.1 million in 2023, its busiest year. The airport serves 50 carriers, with United Airlines being its largest tenant, serving about 63% of passengers. More than 30 airlines fly in and out of EWR, including more than a dozen international carriers. Other airlines include American Airlines, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, British Airways, Emirates, Spirit, and TAP Air Portugal.
EWR has almost 1 million square feet of cargo facility space, with 290 acres dedicated to cargo operations. The airport has three terminals (A, B, and C), with Terminal C being named 'Best for Foodies' in the nation by Fodor's Travel Awards in 2019. Terminal A was renovated in 2023, and offers food options such as Ess-A-Bagel and Bang Cookies.
In terms of transportation, EWR is accessible by train, with a 28-minute ride from Penn Station to the airport. The Newark Airport Express shuttle bus is also an option, costing $18 one-way and running from 4:45 am to 2 am.
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Transport options
When deciding which airport to fly into, it's important to consider the transport options available to you. New York City is serviced by three major airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Each airport has its own unique set of transport options, which can affect your travel time and costs.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
JFK is located in Queens, at the southeastern edge of NYC. It is the largest and busiest of the three airports, with more than 62 million passengers per year. The airport is connected to the subway via the A, E lines, and AirTrain, and offers a variety of flight departure times and destinations. However, getting to Manhattan from JFK can be a challenge, with no direct subway service to the city's business and tourist hubs. Taking a taxi or cab can be expensive, with prices ranging from $20-30.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
LGA is also located in Queens, at the northwestern end, close to Elmhurst and Astoria. It is the smallest of the three airports but has undergone an 8 billion transformation, improving its facilities and aesthetics. LGA is ideal for domestic travel and is most accessible from Queens, Manhattan's Upper East Side, the Bronx, and northern Brooklyn. The airport offers several public bus options and rideshare pickups to get into Manhattan and the outer boroughs.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
EWR is located in New Jersey, just 25 minutes west of Manhattan. It is easily accessible via NJ Transit commuter train, providing rapid, frequent, and affordable service to midtown's Penn Station. The Newark Airport Express shuttle bus is also a popular option, taking only 17 minutes to get from Penn Station to the airport. However, commuting to EWR from Brooklyn or Queens by car can be tedious and expensive due to New Jersey traffic.
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Terminal quality
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is a large airport with multiple terminals and a variety of shopping and dining options. It is connected to the subway and offers many flight options, making it a popular choice for many New Yorkers. The TWA Hotel, accessible from Terminal 5, offers unique amenities, including a rooftop infinity pool and a cocktail lounge in a remodelled Lockheed Constellation airplane. However, the airport is located at the edge of NYC, resulting in longer travel times to Manhattan.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) has undergone modernisation projects, including the opening of a new Terminal A. Each terminal has a food court, with Terminal C being particularly notable for its culinary offerings. The airport is accessible by train from New York's Penn Station, with a transfer to the free AirTrain to reach the terminals. Newark is located closer to Manhattan than JFK, resulting in shorter travel times.
Overall, while all three major NYC airports have their strengths and weaknesses in terms of terminal quality, LaGuardia's recent transformations and proximity to Manhattan, JFK's extensive amenities and transportation options, and Newark's modernisation projects and convenient location may be deciding factors for travellers.
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Frequently asked questions
There are three major airports in NYC: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). JFK is the largest and busiest of the three, with modern terminals, good infrastructure, and many flight options. However, it is not easily accessible from Manhattan. LGA is the smallest of the three and is mostly used for domestic flights, but it has been renovated recently and is now considered one of the best airports in the U.S. EWR is located in New Jersey and is a good option for those staying in Manhattan or New Jersey, as it has good public transport connections.
LGA is the best airport in NYC for domestic travel. It is the smallest of the three major airports and is located in Queens, about 10 miles north of JFK. LGA has been renovated recently and now has modern terminals. Eight carriers fly direct to cities across the U.S. and Canada from LGA.
JFK is the best airport in NYC for international travel. It is the largest and busiest airport in the New York City area and has four runways, five terminals, and 130 operating gates. More than 70 airlines fly in and out of JFK, and most of them are international. JFK also has good subway connections, making it easily accessible.
