Ruth Haines
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) are two of the airports that serve New York City. JFK is the busiest airport in the New York airport system and is located on the southwestern shore of Long Island, in Queens, New York City, bordering Jamaica Bay. LaGuardia Airport, on the other hand, is located on the northwestern shore of Long Island, in East Elmhurst, Queens, New York City, bordering Flushing Bay. It is the smallest of the New York metropolitan airports.
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What You'll Learn
John F. Kennedy International Airport is in Queens, New York City
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is located in Queens, New York City, about 15 miles from mid-Manhattan. It is one of the busiest airports in the city, serving more than 62 million passengers per year. The airport is currently undergoing a $19 billion renovation project, which includes the addition of two new terminals and the modernisation of existing ones.
JFK offers a wide range of flight and lounge options, with more than 70 airlines operating from its terminals, including major international carriers such as Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Air France, Finnair, and EgyptAir. It is also a hub for US-based carriers American, Delta, and JetBlue, with the latter operating the entire Terminal 5.
The airport is easily accessible via public transportation, with the AirTrain providing a fast and convenient connection to the subway and Long Island Rail Road at Jamaica Station. From there, passengers can transfer to the A, E, or J subway lines or travel directly to Penn Station. However, travelling to and from JFK by public transportation can be time-consuming, especially during rush hour.
For those travelling with a lot of luggage or preferring a more direct option, taxi or rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are available. These can be more expensive, especially during peak hours, and travel times can be significantly impacted by traffic.
JFK is particularly well-suited for international travel, with over 90 airlines serving more than 200 destinations worldwide. However, it also plays a significant role in domestic travel, with 60% of flights being to US destinations, including popular routes like JFK-LAX.
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LGA is the smallest of New York's metropolitan airports
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) are two of the busiest airports in New York City. They are located in the borough of Queens and are approximately 10 miles apart. LGA is the smallest of New York's metropolitan airports.
LGA is located on the shore of Flushing Bay and covers an area of 840 acres. It has two runways, each 7,000 feet long. The airport has been transformed by an $8 billion renovation, which has seen it go from being consistently ranked as one of the worst airports in the US to winning a five-star Skytrax award. It is now considered one of the best airports in the country.
LGA is most easily accessible from Queens, Manhattan's Upper East Side, the Bronx, and northern Brooklyn. It is a popular option for domestic travellers, with eight carriers flying direct to cities across the US, as well as Canada, Aruba, the Bahamas, and Bermuda. The airport is intended to serve a commuter role, with a perimeter rule in effect that only allows airlines to fly within 1,500 miles of LGA, except for flights to Denver and flights anywhere in the US on Saturdays.
In contrast, JFK is a much larger airport, covering 5,200 acres with four long runways, the longest of which are 14,500 feet. It is the busiest airport in the US for international flights, with over 90 airlines flying from its 130 gates to more than 200 destinations worldwide. The airport is in the midst of a $19 billion renovation project, which will add two new terminals and modernize existing ones.
JFK is further from mid-Manhattan, located about 15 miles away, compared to LGA's 10-mile distance. As a result, travel times to and from JFK can be longer, with traffic extending drive times to over 90 minutes. However, there are numerous public transport options available, including the AirTrain and subway. LGA does not have direct train access, but it is possible to take a taxi or rideshare service, such as Uber or Lyft, to the airport.
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JFK is the busiest airport in the New York airport system
John F. Kennedy International Airport, or JFK, is the busiest airport in the New York airport system. Located on the southwestern shore of Long Island, in Queens, New York City, JFK is approximately 15 miles from Midtown Manhattan. The airport is the sixth-busiest in the United States, serving over 62 million passengers per year. With 8 terminals and 4 runways, the airport covers 5,200 acres of land, making it the largest in the New York metropolitan area.
JFK is a hub for several major airlines, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue. Over 90 airlines operate from the airport, offering nonstop or direct flights to destinations across all six inhabited continents. The airport features a range of lounge options and is easily accessible via various transportation options, including car, bus, shuttle, subway, and the AirTrain JFK people-mover system, which links the airport terminals to the New York City Subway and the Long Island Rail Road.
JFK is one of the three major airports serving New York City, alongside LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). While LGA is located just 8 miles from Manhattan, it does not have direct train access. EWR, on the other hand, offers convenient access to Penn Station via rail but is situated in an industrial area outside of New York City.
When travelling between JFK and LGA, there are several transportation options available. These include public transportation such as the AirTrain and subway, as well as taxi, rideshare, and shuttle services. The distance between the two airports is approximately 10-11 miles, and the travel time can vary depending on traffic conditions and the time of day.
JFK has undergone significant expansion and redevelopment over the years. The airport first opened in 1948 as Idlewild Airport and was later renamed New York International Airport. In 1963, following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the airport was renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport in his honour.
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LaGuardia Airport is 8 miles from Midtown Manhattan
LaGuardia Airport is located in Queens, approximately 8 miles from Midtown Manhattan. This proximity to Manhattan makes LaGuardia Airport the closest airport to New York City.
The average travel time by car from LaGuardia Airport to Midtown Manhattan is 30 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic. However, in heavy traffic, the travel time can be up to an hour. To avoid rush-hour traffic, it is recommended to travel early in the morning or late at night.
There are several transportation options available for travelling between LaGuardia Airport and Midtown Manhattan. These include taxis, ride-sharing services, buses, and the subway. A taxi ride from LaGuardia to Midtown Manhattan can cost between $25 to $50, depending on traffic and the specific destination.
If you're looking for a more affordable option, consider taking the bus and subway or LIRR combo. The Q70 bus runs 24/7 and connects LaGuardia Airport Terminals B and C to subway and Long Island Railroad stations in Jackson Heights and Woodside, Queens, in about 10 to 15 minutes. From there, you can access several subway lines, including the 7, E, F, M, and R trains.
Another option is to take the M60 bus, which runs 24/7 from LaGuardia Airport Terminals A, B, and C into Manhattan. The M60 + subway combo can take around 50 to 80 minutes, depending on traffic. If you're headed to Midtown Manhattan, it is recommended to connect to the subway at Astoria Blvd in Queens, where you can access the N and W subway lines.
For those with a lot of luggage, shuttle bus services are available and can be a more economical option. Additionally, private shuttle services, such as Go Airlink NYC, offer a flat rate for travel between LaGuardia and Midtown Manhattan.
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JFK AirTrain connects to the New York City Subway
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK Airport) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA Airport) are two of the busiest airports in New York City. They are approximately 11 miles apart, and various transportation options are available for travel between them. One option is to take the AirTrain from JFK Airport to the New York City Subway.
The AirTrain JFK is an 8.1-mile-long elevated driverless system that operates 24/7 and consists of three lines and nine stations within the New York City borough of Queens. It connects JFK Airport's terminals with the New York City Subway at the Howard Beach station and with the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and the subway in the Jamaica neighbourhood. The AirTrain fare is $7.75 to $8.50, payable by MetroCard on arrival at the airport, and it connects to subway lines A, E, J, and Z.
To get to the AirTrain, you can take the subway from Manhattan to Jamaica Station, which takes approximately 35 minutes, and then transfer to the AirTrain, which takes an additional 10 minutes to get to JFK. The total travel time from Manhattan to JFK using this route is approximately 50 minutes. It is important to note that the AirTrain fare is separate from the subway or railroad fare, and unlimited-ride MetroCards cannot be used on the AirTrain.
The Jamaica Train route, coloured red on the official map, begins and ends at Jamaica Station, which is adjacent to the LIRR platforms. The AirTrain and LIRR stations at Jamaica Station contain transfers to the subway, as well as to ground-level bus routes. The Howard Beach Train and Jamaica Train routes merge at Federal Circle for car rental companies and shuttle buses to hotels and the airport's cargo areas.
The AirTrain provides a convenient and affordable option for travellers looking to navigate through New York City and get to JFK Airport. However, some riders have noted that the system can be complicated and require additional transfers and fares.
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Frequently asked questions
John F. Kennedy International Airport is located on the southwestern shore of Long Island, in Queens, New York City. It is 16 miles southeast of Midtown Manhattan.
LaGuardia Airport is located in East Elmhurst, on the northwestern shore of Long Island, in Queens, New York City. It is eight miles from Midtown Manhattan.
Yes, both airports are in Queens, New York City, and are part of the largest airport system in the United States. JFK is 16 miles southeast of Midtown Manhattan, while LGA is eight miles from Midtown Manhattan.
Both airports are accessible by car, bus, shuttle, or other vehicle transit. LGA is also served by accessible public MTA bus lines and offers a free internal shuttle bus route. JFK has the AirTrain, a dedicated rail network that connects to the New York City Subway and the Long Island Rail Road.
