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John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is a major international airport located in the Jamaica neighbourhood of Queens, New York City, United States. The airport is situated on the southwestern shore of Long Island, bordering Jamaica Bay, and is approximately 16-18 miles from Midtown Manhattan. JFK is one of the busiest airports in the United States and serves as a hub for several major airlines. The airport was originally known as Idlewild Airport until it was renamed in 1963 to honour the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | John F. Kennedy International Airport |
| Airport Code | JFK |
| Location | Jamaica, Queens, New York City, New York, US |
| Address | JFK Airport, New York, NY 11430, US |
| Coordinates | 40°38′23″N 073°46′43″W |
| Elevation | 13 ft / 4 m above mean sea level |
| Owner/Operator | Port Authority of New York and New Jersey |
| Time Zone | UTC -5:00 (Eastern Time Zone) |
| Serving Area | New York City Metropolitan Area |
The table provides an overview of the key characteristics of John F. Kennedy International Airport's location and relevant details.
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What You'll Learn
John F. Kennedy International Airport is located in Queens, New York City
John F. Kennedy International Airport, also known as JFK Airport, is located in the borough of Queens in New York City. It is situated on the southwestern shore of Long Island, bordering Jamaica Bay. The airport is about 16 to 18 miles southeast of Midtown Manhattan and is easily accessible by car, bus, shuttle, or other vehicle transit via the JFK Expressway or Interstate 678 (Van Wyck Expressway).
JFK Airport is a major international gateway and one of the busiest airports in the United States. It serves New York City and its metropolitan area, offering nonstop or direct flights to destinations on all six inhabited continents. Over 80 to 90 airlines operate from the airport, providing a wide range of domestic and international flight options for travellers.
The airport features six terminals, four runways, and 128 gates. It is a hub for major airlines such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue. Terminal 8, designed by American Airlines, is particularly notable for being the largest terminal at JFK, handling a significant volume of passengers annually.
JFK Airport also has a dedicated rail network, the AirTrain JFK, which connects each passenger terminal to the New York City subways. Additionally, bus services like the Q3, Q6, Q7, Q10, and B15 provide access to the airport and its cargo terminals.
The airport was originally known as Idlewild Airport when it opened in 1948. However, in 1963, it was renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport to honour the 35th President of the United States, who was assassinated in the same year. The airport has since become a significant transportation hub, contributing substantially to the economic activity and job creation in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area.
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It is 16-18 miles from Manhattan
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is located in the borough of Queens in New York City, and it serves the New York metropolitan area. The airport is situated approximately 16-18 miles southeast of Manhattan, the heart of New York City. This distance equates to about a 30-minute to one-hour drive, depending on traffic conditions and your starting point in Manhattan.
The distance from Manhattan is an important consideration for travelers using JFK Airport. Being 16-18 miles away means that travelers can expect a reasonable commute between the airport and the city. This proximity also contributes to the accessibility and convenience of the airport for those traveling to or from Manhattan.
There are several transportation options available to travel between JFK Airport and Manhattan. Taxi services and ride-sharing apps like Uber or Lyft are popular choices and can provide a direct and relatively fast journey, depending on traffic. For a more economical option, the subway is also available, although it may involve more transfers and take a bit longer.
The airport's location in relation to Manhattan is strategic and intentional. Being situated outside the city center allows for ample space for the airport's expansive facilities and infrastructure. Additionally, the distance of 16-18 miles is carefully considered to balance the need for accessibility and the management of air traffic and noise pollution in the densely populated areas of New York City.
When planning a trip to or from JFK Airport, allowing sufficient travel time to cover the 16-18 miles from Manhattan is crucial. This consideration becomes especially important when dealing with potential traffic congestion during peak hours or when traveling during busier times of the year, such as holidays. Allowing extra time ensures a more relaxed journey and helps avoid missing flights or important connections.
In conclusion, the distance of 16-18 miles between JFK Airport and Manhattan is a significant factor to consider when using the airport. It impacts travel time, transportation options, and the overall accessibility of the airport for those based in or traveling to Manhattan. Understanding this distance and planning accordingly can help ensure a smooth journey to or from one of the busiest and most important airports in the United States.
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The airport is named after John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States
John F. Kennedy International Airport (IATA: JFK, ICAO: KJFK, FAA LID: JFK) is a major airport serving New York City. It is located on the southwestern shore of Long Island, in the borough of Queens, New York City, bordering Jamaica Bay. The airport is named after John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, who was assassinated in 1963.
The airport was originally known as Idlewild Airport, named after the Idlewild Beach Golf Course that it displaced. It opened in 1948 to relieve LaGuardia Field, which had become overcrowded since its opening in 1939. In 1963, the airport was renamed in tribute to Kennedy.
JFK is the busiest airport in New York and the sixth-busiest airport in the United States. It is also the busiest international commercial airport in North America. The airport covers 5,200 acres (2,104 ha), making it the largest in the New York metropolitan area. It is accessible via car, bus, shuttle, or other vehicle transit, primarily through the JFK Expressway or Interstate 678 (Van Wyck Expressway).
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.
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JFK is one of the busiest airports in the US
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is located on the southwestern shore of Long Island, in Queens, New York City, bordering Jamaica Bay. It is one of the busiest airports in the US, serving New York City and its metropolitan area.
JFK is the busiest of the seven airports in the New York airport system, and the sixth-busiest airport in the United States. It is also the busiest international commercial airport in North America. Over 30 million passengers pass through JFK each year, with the airport handling more international passengers than any other airport in the US.
The airport covers 5,200 acres, making it the largest in the New York metropolitan area. It features five passenger terminals and four runways, with over 90 airlines operating out of JFK. The airport is accessible by car, bus, shuttle, or other vehicle transit via the JFK Expressway or Interstate 678 (Van Wyck Expressway).
JFK is a hub for several major airlines, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue. The airport has a dedicated rail network, AirTrain JFK, which connects each passenger terminal to the New York City subways.
JFK is also an important freight hub, with most cargo and maintenance facilities located north and west of the main terminal area. The airport contributes significantly to the regional economy, generating about $37.3 billion in economic activity and leading to around 256,000 jobs in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area.
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It is accessible by car, bus, shuttle, or other vehicle transit
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is located on the southwestern shore of Long Island, in Queens, New York City, bordering Jamaica Bay. It is easily accessible by car, bus, shuttle, or other vehicle transit.
If you are driving to JFK, you can access the airport via the Van Wyck Expressway (I-678) or the JFK Expressway, both of which are connected to the Belt Parkway. There are also highway advisory radio stations that provide parking and traffic information for drivers at 1630 AM and 1700 AM.
For those taking public transportation, there are several options to reach JFK. The airport's dedicated rail network, AirTrain JFK, stops at each passenger terminal and connects to the New York City Subway, Long Island Rail Road, and MTA Bus services. The AirTrain fare is $8.50, and you can use OMNY or a MetroCard to pay. Please note that unlimited passes are not accepted on the AirTrain. To avoid lines, ensure you have enough money on your MetroCard before heading to the airport.
Additionally, you can take the subway to the AirTrain. The subway fare is $2.90, and the total fare for most riders, including the AirTrain, is $11.40. Make sure your train is headed to Far Rockaway, as Lefferts Boulevard-bound trains do not connect to the airport.
If you are coming from Midtown Manhattan or Downtown Brooklyn, you can also take the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) to Jamaica Station and then transfer to the AirTrain. If you are outside of these areas, you can save on fares by taking the subway instead.
Finally, there are shuttle services available to JFK Airport, such as the Philly & South Jersey Airport Shuttle Bus. These services typically require advance booking of at least 24 hours.
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Frequently asked questions
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is located on the southwestern shore of Long Island, in the borough of Queens, New York City.
JFK Airport is located about 16 to 18 miles from Midtown Manhattan.
The latitude of JFK Airport is 40.641766, and the longitude is -73.780968.
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