Jfk Airport's Name Evolution: Unraveling The Past

what was jfk airport named before

John F. Kennedy International Airport, commonly known as JFK, is one of the busiest airports in the United States. But before it was named after the 35th president of the United States, it was known as Idlewild Airport.

Idlewild Airport was built on the site of the Idlewild Beach Golf Course, and opened in 1948. The name Idlewild is believed to be inspired by the fact that the site was wild, and that the golf course and hotel constituted a recreational facility for the idle rich.

Following the assassination of President Kennedy in 1963, the airport was renamed in his honour.

Characteristics Values
Previous Name Idlewild Airport
Other Names New York International Airport, Anderson Field
Year of Rename 1963
Reason for Rename To honour the assassinated President John F. Kennedy
Date of Rename 24th of December, 1963
Attendees of Rename Ceremony Ted Kennedy, Jean Kennedy Smith, NYC Mayor Robert Wagner, New Jersey Governor Richard Hughes

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The airport was originally called Idlewild Airport

Idlewild Airport opened on July 1, 1948, and was officially known as New York International Airport. However, it was commonly referred to as Idlewild Airport until December 24, 1963, when it was renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport in honour of the assassinated president.

The airport was built on a large area of marshland on Jamaica Bay, which included the Idlewild Golf Course, a summer hotel, and a landing strip called the Jamaica Sea-Airport. The opening ceremony was attended by then-US President Harry S. Truman.

Idlewild Airport was New York's busiest airport and, as far back as 1954, served the highest number of international operations. The airport has since undergone further construction and enlargement and now covers almost 5,000 acres, with five terminals and four runways in operation. It is one of the busiest airports in the United States, serving approximately 60 million passengers per year.

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It was renamed just over a month after JFK's assassination

John F. Kennedy International Airport, or JFK, is New York City's busiest airport, located on the southwestern shore of Long Island, in Queens, New York City. The airport opened in 1948 as New York International Airport, but was commonly known as Idlewild Airport. Idlewild Airport was renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport in tribute to the 35th president of the United States, John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963.

The idea to rename the airport after the late president was unofficially approved hours after Kennedy's assassination. However, it took a little over a month to get the official approval from his widow, Jackie Kennedy. On December 24, 1963, a ceremony was held to commemorate the renaming of the airport, with Kennedy's brother, Senator Ted Kennedy, and sister, Jean Kennedy Smith, in attendance. The airport's new name was chosen over the previous name, New York International Airport, Anderson Field, which honoured Major General Alexander E. Anderson, a decorated World War I veteran and Queens businessman.

The airport's IATA code is now JFK, and it is one of the busiest airports in the United States, serving approximately 60 million passengers per year.

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The official name was New York International Airport, Anderson Field

John F. Kennedy International Airport, or JFK, is the second-busiest airport in the United States and the busiest international commercial airport in North America. The airport, which covers 5,200 acres, is located on the southwestern shore of Long Island, in Queens, New York City, and is the largest in the New York metropolitan area.

The airport was originally named Idlewild Airport, after the Idlewild Beach Golf Course that it displaced. The name Idlewild is believed to have been inspired by the fact that the site was wild at the time, and the hotel and park constituted a recreational facility for the idle rich.

The facility opened in 1948 as New York International Airport, and was commonly known as Idlewild Airport. In 1943, the project was renamed Major General Alexander E. Anderson Airport, after a Queens resident who had commanded a Federalized National Guard unit in the southern United States and died in late 1942. However, this renaming was vetoed by Mayor La Guardia. In March 1948, the City Council changed the official name to New York International Airport, Anderson Field, but the common name remained Idlewild until December 24, 1963, when it was renamed after the assassinated President John F. Kennedy.

The airport's IATA code was IDL, but this was changed to JFK after the renaming.

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JFK is one of three major airports in New York City

John F. Kennedy International Airport, commonly known as JFK, is one of three major airports in New York City. The airport is located on the southwestern shore of Long Island, in Queens, New York City, bordering Jamaica Bay. 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.

JFK Airport was originally named Idlewild Airport, after the Idlewild Beach Golf Course that it displaced. The name Idlewild is believed to have been inspired by the fact that the site was wild, and the hotel and park constituted a recreational facility for the idle rich. The airport opened in 1948 as New York International Airport, though it was commonly referred to as Idlewild Airport.

In 1943, the airport was renamed Major General Alexander E. Anderson Airport, in honour of a Queens resident who had commanded a Federalized National Guard unit in the southern United States and died in late 1942. However, this name change was vetoed by Mayor La Guardia, and the airport continued to be commonly known as Idlewild.

In 1948, the New York City Council changed the official name to New York International Airport, Anderson Field, but once again, the airport remained commonly known as Idlewild.

Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, the airport was renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport in tribute to him. The idea to rename the airport was unofficially approved hours after Kennedy's assassination, but it took some time to get official approval from his widow, Jackie Kennedy. The airport was officially renamed on Christmas Eve, 1963, just over a month after Kennedy's death.

JFK Airport is one of three major airports serving the New York City metropolitan area, along with LaGuardia Airport in Queens, New York, and Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey. These airports are among the five airports run by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

JFK Airport is a major international airport, serving approximately 60 million passengers per year. It is the sixth-busiest airport in the United States and has five terminals and four runways. The airport covers 5,200 acres and is the largest in the New York metropolitan area. Over 90 airlines operate from JFK Airport, offering nonstop or direct flights to destinations on all six inhabited continents.

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JFK is one of the busiest airports in the US

John F. Kennedy International Airport, or JFK, is one of the busiest airports in the United States. Located on the southwestern shore of Long Island, in Queens, New York City, JFK is the sixth-busiest airport in the country, serving New York City and its metropolitan area. Covering 5,200 acres, it is the largest airport in the New York metropolitan area and the busiest of the seven airports in the New York airport system.

JFK is a hub for major airlines such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue. Over 90 airlines operate from the airport, offering non-stop or direct flights to destinations on all six inhabited continents. The airport features five passenger terminals and four runways and is accessible by car, bus, shuttle, train, and other modes of transport.

The airport's history dates back to 1941 when Fiorello La Guardia, the mayor of New York, announced the opening of an airport in New York. Construction began in 1943, and the airport, originally named New York International Airport, opened in 1948. It was commonly known as Idlewild Airport, named after the Idlewild Beach Golf Course that it displaced.

Over the years, JFK Airport has undergone several expansions and renovations. It was renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport in 1963, following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, to honour his legacy. Today, JFK continues to be a vital transportation hub, serving millions of passengers each year and contributing significantly to the region's economy.

Frequently asked questions

Before being renamed in honour of John F. Kennedy, JFK airport was known as Idlewild Airport.

The airport was renamed after the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963.

The airport was named after the Idlewild Beach Golf Course, which it was built on.

Idlewild Airport opened on 1 July 1948.

The official name of the airport was New York International Airport, Anderson Field.

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