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John F. Kennedy International Airport, commonly known as JFK, is one of the busiest airports in the United States, serving approximately 60 million passengers per year. The airport opened in 1948 as New York International Airport, although it was commonly known as Idlewild Airport. The airport was renamed in honour of President John F. Kennedy, following his assassination in 1963. Since its opening, JFK has undergone significant construction and enlargement, including the addition of new terminals and runways. The airport has also been featured in numerous TV shows and films, such as Steven Spielberg's Catch Me If You Can and Martin Scorsese's The Irishman.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Jamaica, Queens, New York City |
| Distance from Manhattan | 12-16 miles southeast of Manhattan |
| Number of Terminals | 6 |
| Number of Runways | 4 |
| Number of Aircraft Gates | 128 |
| Top Destinations | Paris, London, Los Angeles, Mexico, San Francisco, Santo Domingo, Santiago, Amsterdam, Milan, Madrid |
| Operating Airlines | JetBlue, Norse Atlantic Airways, Polar Air Cargo, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines |
| Total Passengers in 2023 | 62,440,306 |
| Transport Options | AirTrain, Train, Subway, Bus, Taxi, Car Rental |
| Former Names | New York International Airport, Idlewild Airport |
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What You'll Learn
The airport's first phase
John F. Kennedy International Airport, or JFK, located in Queens, New York, opened in 1948 as New York International Airport. The airport was initially known as both New York International Airport and Idlewild Airport. The airport's first phase included the construction of six runways, a cargo building, two hangars, and 70 miles (113 kilometers) of storm sewers.
The airport was built on the former site of the Idlewild Beach Golf Course, located in the borough of Queens, over 24 kilometers outside the Manhattan city center. The decision to locate the airport so far from the primary population center was unusual for the time. The airport was constructed to relieve congestion at the nearby LaGuardia Airport, which had opened in 1939.
The first major permanent structure at JFK opened in 1951, when a federal building was constructed to house Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees overseeing operations at Idlewild and other New York-area airports. Another significant milestone was achieved in 1952, with the opening of an 11-floor permanent air traffic control tower, which was used to manage ground movements, departures, and landings. This tower was intended to be integrated into the future passenger terminal complex.
By 1957, Idlewild accommodated more than 1,200 departures per week, and it became the second-busiest airport in the United States in the 1960s. The airport underwent a name change to John F. Kennedy International Airport in December 1963, following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
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Construction delays
Construction and expansion at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) have been ongoing since the 1990s, with the airport undergoing a $19 billion transformation into a world-class global gateway. The airport, which was expected to serve 100 million annual passengers by 2050, has experienced several construction delays over the years, causing some projects to fall behind schedule.
One of the earliest construction projects at JFK was the AirTrain JFK people-mover system, which began construction in 1998 after decades of planning for a direct rail link to the airport. The system was originally scheduled to open in 2002, but it was delayed and eventually opened in December 2003, a year behind schedule. During this time, the airport's new Terminal 1 opened in May 1998, and Terminal 4, a $1.4 billion replacement for the International Arrivals Building, opened in May 2001.
In 2008, JetBlue's Terminal 5 was completed, incorporating the TWA Flight Center. The same year, a $20 million planning study for the redevelopment of Terminals 2 and 3, the Delta Air Lines hub, was approved. However, it is unclear if this redevelopment project has been completed.
More recently, in 2019, American Express began construction on a Centurion lounge, which opened in October 2020. This addition included dining, bar, and fitness facilities. Terminal 4 also expanded its Arts & Culture program in 2024 with various photography exhibits, a mural, and the first-ever freestanding hologram device in an airport.
One of the most significant ongoing construction projects at JFK is the new Terminal 6, which is part of the airport's $19 billion transformation plan. In 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul marked a major construction milestone with a steel topping-out ceremony for the new terminal. The first phase of Terminal 6 is scheduled to open in 2026 and will include an arrivals and departures hall and the first five gates. This new terminal will offer world-class passenger amenities, expanded taxiway and gate capacity, state-of-the-art security, and streamlined roadway access.
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Opening ceremony
John F. Kennedy International Airport, or JFK, is a major international airport serving New York City and its metropolitan area. It is located on the southwestern shore of Long Island, in Queens, New York City, bordering Jamaica Bay.
The opening ceremony of JFK airport, then known as Idlewild, was a grand affair attended by an estimated 215,000 spectators from around the world, including 500 journalists. The event featured a $10 million military exhibit, including a flyover of an impressive array of bombers, jet fighters, and other military aircraft. This display showcased the greatest number of such aircraft assembled in peacetime at the time. The opening ceremony also included addresses by President Harry S. Truman and Governor Thomas Dewey, who were rivals in the upcoming presidential election. Unfortunately, the driving force behind the airport's creation, Mayor La Guardia, passed away six months before the airport's opening.
The airport's first full year of operation was in 1949, during which it handled 222,620 passengers and 18,115 aircraft movements. In the following years, the temporary terminal was upgraded and expanded to accommodate the growing traffic, gradually becoming more permanent. By 1950, several major airlines had moved in, including British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC), El Al, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Avianca, Trans Canada, Pan Am, TWA, American, United, and National.
Since its opening, JFK Airport has undergone numerous expansions and improvements to keep up with increasing demand. In 2000, Korean Air Cargo opened a new $102 million cargo terminal, and in 2005, construction began on a new terminal, which officially opened in August 2007. In 2017, plans were announced for a $7 to $10 billion renovation of the airport's infrastructure, and in 2018, a $13 billion plan was unveiled to rebuild passenger facilities and add two new international terminals.
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Expansion projects
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is undergoing a historic $19 billion transformation into a world-class airport. The airport, which is the busiest for international travel in the nation, is being redeveloped to provide a world-class travel experience to its customers. The expansion projects include the construction of two giant new terminals across five previous terminal sites, the expansion and modernisation of existing terminals, streamlined roadways, and stunning New York artwork.
The new Terminal 6 is a key part of the redevelopment plan. The $4.2 billion terminal will occupy the site of the former Terminals 6 and 7. It will feature expansive, naturally lit public spaces, cutting-edge technology, inspiring public art, and an array of amenities designed to enhance the customer experience. Terminal 8 has also been expanded and modernised, with American Airlines, which operates the terminal, completing a $400 million expansion in November 2022.
Terminal 4 has also seen significant expansion, with a $1.5 billion project led by Delta Air Lines and JFK International Air Terminal (JFKIAT) substantially complete. The project has increased the airport's capacity by building ten new aircraft parking positions, adding an additional domestic baggage claim carousel, and expanding the size of the terminal.
In addition to the new terminals and expansions, JFK is also undergoing a $3.9 billion roadway and infrastructure improvement project. This includes the redesign of the entire road network serving the terminals, allowing easier access and accommodating increased capacity for curbside requirements. The project also includes a centralised ground transportation centre that incorporates a new commercial development at the heart of the airport.
The expansion projects at JFK Airport aim to transform it into a world-class global gateway, providing a modern and elevated experience to travellers. With over 62 million passengers a year, the airport is an indispensable part of global travel and the region's economy.
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Terminal buildings
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is a major international airport serving New York City and its metropolitan area. Located on the southwestern shore of Long Island, in Queens, New York City, JFK is the busiest of the seven airports in the New York airport system. The airport covers 5,200 acres and features five passenger terminals and four runways.
The first permanent passenger terminal building at JFK was the International Arrivals Building (IAB). Designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merril (SOM), the IAB was an elegant composition of three linked buildings: the central U-shaped International Arrival Building, flanked by two Airline Wing Buildings. The entire complex provided a total of 24 aircraft stands. The IAB was dedicated on December 5, 1957, and operations started the next day. The IAB and Wing Buildings were later renamed Terminal 4.
In the early 1990s, all terminals were given numbers except for the Tower Air terminal, which sat outside the Central Terminals area and was not numbered. Terminal 1 opened in 1998, 50 years after JFK opened, at the direction of the Terminal One Group, a consortium of four key operating carriers: Air France, Japan Airlines, and others. Terminal 5 opened in 2008 for JetBlue, the manager and primary tenant of the building, and it also functions as the operating base for Cape Air. Terminal 8 is a major Oneworld hub, with American Airlines operating from here. In 1999, American Airlines began an eight-year program to build the largest passenger terminal at JFK, designed to replace both Terminal 8 and Terminal 9. Terminal 9 opened in October 1959 as the home of United Airlines and Delta Air Lines. Braniff International Airways moved to Terminal 9 in 1972, and the terminal was used by American Airlines for domestic operations until it was demolished in 2008.
A new Terminal 6 is currently under construction and will open in 2026. The $4.2 billion terminal will offer world-class passenger amenities, expanded taxiway and gate capacity, state-of-the-art security, and streamlined roadway access.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport opened on July 1, 1948, and was officially dedicated on July 31, 1948.
The airport was originally named New York International Airport but was commonly known as Idlewild Airport.
The airport was renamed on December 24, 1963, six weeks after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
The renaming was a tribute to the assassinated president. As the largest and busiest airport in the northeast USA, it was considered fitting to rename it after Kennedy.
