Southest-Bound? Nyc's Best Airport Options

which airport in nyc for southest

New York City has three major airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark International Airport (EWR). Each airport has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of location, airlines, destinations, amenities, services, and ground transportation options. If you're looking to fly to or from the southeast while travelling through New York, Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) is served by Southwest Airlines and is located about 44 miles (71 km) east of Manhattan.

Characteristics Values
Name John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Location Queens, New York City
Distance from Midtown Manhattan 15 miles southeast
Number of Terminals 5 (1, 4, 5, 7, 8)
Number of Gates 130
Number of Airlines 70
Number of Destinations 200
Annual Passenger Count 60 million+
Renovation Status Under Renovation
Upcoming Projects Terminal 6 (by 2028), Terminal 1 (by 2030)
Primary Traffic International

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John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is the largest and busiest airport in NYC, located in Queens

John F. Kennedy International Airport, commonly known as JFK, is the largest and busiest airport in New York City. It is located in the Jamaica neighbourhood of Queens, about 15-16 miles southeast of Midtown Manhattan. The airport features five passenger terminals, 130 gates, and four runways. It serves more than 60 million passengers annually, with flights to and from about 200 destinations.

JFK is the primary operating base for JetBlue and a hub for American Airlines and Delta Air Lines. It is also a former hub for several other airlines, including Braniff, Eastern, Flying Tigers, National, Northeast, Northwest, Pan Am, and Seaboard World. The airport opened in 1948 as New York International Airport and was commonly known as Idlewild Airport.

The airport is accessible primarily by car, bus, shuttle, or other vehicle transit via the JFK Expressway or Interstate 678 (Van Wyck Expressway), or by train. It is one of three major airports in the New York City area, along with LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).

LaGuardia Airport, located in Queens about 10 miles north of JFK, is the smallest of the three airports. It mainly handles domestic flights and is most accessible from Queens, Manhattan's Upper East Side, the Bronx, and northern Brooklyn. LaGuardia served 30.6 million domestic passengers in 2023. Newark Liberty International Airport, located in Newark, New Jersey, handles both domestic and international flights. It is generally less crowded and has more modern facilities, but it is further from the city than the other two airports.

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LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is the smallest of the three primary airports in NYC, located in Northern Queens

LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is the smallest of New York City's three primary airports. It is located in Northern Queens, on the northwestern shore of Long Island, bordering Flushing Bay. LaGuardia is about 10 miles north of John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and is most accessible from Queens, Manhattan's Upper East Side, the Bronx, and northern Brooklyn.

LaGuardia mainly handles domestic flights, with some limited international destinations. It is a popular option for travellers flying within the United States, serving 30.6 million domestic passengers in 2023. The airport is served by eight carriers, including Delta, which operates a domestic hub at LaGuardia, and Southwest Airlines, which consolidated its New York-area operations to LaGuardia and Islip in 2019.

LaGuardia is one of the United States' most dense and congested airports. It has three active terminals (A, B, and C) with 72 gates, and is known for its congested nature and proximity to urban neighbourhoods. Because of this, commercial flights to and from the airport are subject to restrictions enacted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ). LaGuardia almost exclusively handles narrow-body aircraft, although it can accommodate widebody aircraft such as the Boeing 767 and Airbus A310.

LaGuardia Airport was established in 1929 and began operating as a public airport in 1939. It is named after Fiorello H. La Guardia, a former mayor of New York City and a long-time aviation advocate. In recent years, LaGuardia has undergone an $8 billion transformation, improving its facilities and reputation.

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Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is located in New Jersey, about 12 miles west of downtown Manhattan

New York City is served by three major airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Of these, Newark Liberty International Airport is located in Newark, New Jersey, about 12 miles west of downtown Manhattan. Newark Airport is one of the oldest in the New York metropolitan area, having opened in 1928. More than 30 airlines fly in and out of Newark, including more than a dozen international carriers. The airport is one of United's major hubs, and other airlines operating from Newark include American Airlines, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, British Airways, Emirates, Spirit, and TAP Air Portugal. The airport is served by NJ Transit commuter trains and Amtrak intercity trains via the AirTrain Newark monorail.

Newark Airport is a good option for those ending up in New Jersey or Pennsylvania. It is further from the city than JFK and LaGuardia, but it is generally less crowded and has more modern facilities. Each terminal has a food court, and Terminal C's is considered the best. At Terminal A, which was renovated in 2023, travellers can get a classic NYC bagel from Ess-A-Bagel or a chocolate chip cookie from Bang Cookies.

Newark Airport is one of three airports in the New York metropolitan area that are operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The others are JFK and LaGuardia. The airspace above New York City is among the busiest in the world, and the New York metro area has the busiest airport system in the United States and the second-busiest in the world.

Newark Airport is connected to the regional rail system by AirTrain Newark. The airport served more than 117 million passengers in 2014.

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Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP), also known as Islip Airport, is located in Suffolk County and is served by Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines serves New York's LaGuardia Airport, located in the New York City metro area. LaGuardia, also known as LGA, is in close proximity to Manhattan, offering easy access to the heart of the city. Southwest Airlines is located in Terminal B at LaGuardia Airport. The airline offers a range of domestic and international destinations from LGA, providing convenient travel options for passengers visiting or departing from New York City.

While LaGuardia is a popular option for Southwest Airlines passengers, the carrier also serves another airport in the New York City region: Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP), also known as Islip Airport. This airport is situated in Suffolk County and provides an alternative gateway for travellers in the area. Long Island MacArthur Airport is a smaller facility compared to LaGuardia, offering shorter lines and a more relaxed travel experience. Its location in Suffolk County makes it a convenient option for those residing in or travelling to Long Island and the surrounding areas.

Long Island MacArthur Airport is easily accessible and provides a hassle-free travel experience. The airport's compact size means shorter lines and quicker processing times, making it ideal for families travelling with children. While it may be farther from the city centre than LaGuardia, the efficiency of the airport can often result in comparable total travel times, especially when considering the time spent in lines and navigating larger airports.

Southwest Airlines offers a variety of routes and destinations from Long Island MacArthur Airport, providing flexibility and convenience for travellers. The airline is known for its competitive pricing, free bags, and the Southwest Companion Pass, making it a cost-effective choice for many passengers. While nonstop flights from New York-area airports may be limited, Southwest provides numerous direct and connecting routes, ensuring travellers can reach their desired destinations with ease.

Overall, Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP), also referred to as Islip Airport, presents a viable alternative to LaGuardia for travellers utilising Southwest Airlines in the New York City region. Its location in Suffolk County, coupled with the efficiency and route options offered by Southwest Airlines, makes it a convenient and attractive option for those looking to explore Long Island or seeking a more relaxed airport experience.

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Over 70 airlines fly in and out of JFK, with most being international

New York City has three major airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). JFK is located on the southwestern shore of Long Island, in Queens, New York City, bordering Jamaica Bay. It is the largest and busiest of the three airports, serving over 62 million passengers per year. It is also the busiest international commercial airport in North America.

JFK features five passenger terminals and four runways. The airport is accessible by car, bus, shuttle, or other vehicle transit via the JFK Expressway or Interstate 678 (Van Wyck Expressway). The AirTrain JFK provides a direct rail link to the airport, connecting it to regional rail systems.

LaGuardia Airport, located in Queens about 10 miles north of JFK, is the smallest of the three NYC airports. It primarily handles domestic flights, with eight carriers offering direct flights to cities across the U.S. and nearby international destinations like Canada, Aruba, the Bahamas, and Bermuda. LaGuardia served 30.6 million domestic passengers in 2023.

Newark Liberty International Airport, located in Newark, New Jersey, handles both domestic and international flights. It is further from the city than the other two airports but offers more modern facilities. Over 30 airlines operate from Newark, including more than a dozen international carriers. The airport is one of United's major hubs, and it provides direct flights to cities like London, Tokyo, Dubai, and Berlin.

Frequently asked questions

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is located at the southeastern edge of NYC in Queens, where Queens (NYC proper) meets the border with the rest of Long Island, NY.

The easiest way to get to JFK from southeast Manhattan is by taxi, Uber, or Lyft. However, this is also the most expensive option. The trip typically takes 45 to 90 minutes, depending on traffic.

A taxi from JFK to anywhere in Manhattan costs a flat rate of $70 plus taxes, tolls, and tip. There is also a $5 surcharge during peak hours.

A cheaper alternative is to take the subway or train, but the journey will take longer. First, take the AirTrain ($8.25) to Jamaica station, then transfer to the E, J, or Z train ($2.90). The total travel time is 50-60 minutes.

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