Roberta Aguirre
New York City's airspace is among the busiest in the world, with three major airports serving the city: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). In this highly congested aviation hub, which airport handles the most traffic? And what sets it apart from the others? With over 62 million passengers annually, JFK is the largest and busiest of the three airports. Its wide range of international airlines, lounges, shops, and dining options make it a preferred choice for many travellers. However, LaGuardia and Newark airports also play significant roles in the region's aviation landscape, each with their own unique features and recent improvements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Busiest airport in New York City | John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) |
| Number of passengers at JFK | 30.8 million |
| Number of passengers at LaGuardia Airport | 16.1 million |
| Total number of passengers at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports in 2014 | More than 117 million |
| Number of passengers at LaGuardia Airport in 2023 | 30.6 million |
| Number of passengers during the 2022 Thanksgiving holiday stretch | 3.4 million |
| Number of passengers during the 2022 Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year travel period | 5.5 million |
| On-time performance for departures at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports from January to October 2024 | 78%-80% |
| On-time performance for departures at LaGuardia Airport in 2024 | 82% |
| Busiest airport in Upstate New York | Buffalo-Niagara International Airport |
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What You'll Learn
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is New York's busiest airport
- LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is the second-busiest airport
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is the third-busiest airport
- Teterboro Airport is the oldest airport in the New York metropolitan area
- Westchester County Airport is located 33 miles from New York City
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is New York's busiest airport
John F. Kennedy International Airport, also known as JFK, is New York's busiest airport. It is located in Queens, along Jamaica Bay near Howard Beach. The airport is New York City's main airport and is the largest and busiest of the three major airports serving the city, seeing more than 62 million passengers per year.
JFK is served by more than 70 airlines, most of which are international. Some of the airlines that fly in and out of JFK include Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Air France, Finnair, and EgyptAir. Major U.S.-based carriers such as American, Delta, and JetBlue also use JFK as a hub, with JetBlue operating the entire Terminal 5.
The airport is easily accessible from Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, making it a preferred choice for many travellers. It offers a variety of options for flights, lounges, shops, and dining. JFK is currently undergoing a $19 billion renovation project, which includes the addition of two new terminals and the modernisation of existing ones.
In terms of on-time performance, JFK has shown improvement, with flights departing between 78% and 80% on time from January through October 2024. This places it ahead of other New York airports, such as LaGuardia and Newark, which have experienced delays.
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LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is the second-busiest airport
The New York metropolitan area has the busiest airport system in the United States and the second-busiest in the world, after London. There are three major airports in the metro area: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), and LaGuardia Airport (LGA). All three airports have been operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey since 1947.
LaGuardia Airport is located in Queens and is easily accessible from most of Brooklyn, Queens, and the east side of Manhattan. The airport offers a variety of dining options, including popular New York restaurants such as Shake Shack, Bubby's, Dos Toros Taqueria, and Talde. LaGuardia also provides convenient transportation connections, with an on-time performance for departures of 78%-80% in 2024, according to the federal Department of Transportation.
In addition to its passenger services, LaGuardia Airport plays a significant role in the region's aviation history. It was opened in 1939, making it one of the oldest airports in the New York metropolitan area. LaGuardia Airport has continued to evolve and improve its facilities, contributing to the bustling aviation landscape of New York.
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Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is the third-busiest airport
The New York metropolitan area has the busiest airport system in the United States and the second busiest in the world, after London. There are three major airports in the metro area: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), and LaGuardia Airport (LGA). All three airports have been operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey since 1947.
Newark Airport is well-connected to the region's transportation network. AirTrain Newark links the airport to the New York City Subway and the Long Island Rail Road, providing easy access to Manhattan and other boroughs. The airport is served by eight carriers, including major airlines such as United, American, Delta, and JetBlue. These airlines offer direct flights to cities across the US and international destinations such as Canada, Aruba, the Bahamas, and Bermuda.
In 2024, Newark Airport faced a ground stop, resulting in 'several weeks' of flight cuts. Despite this setback, the airport still handled a significant volume of passengers. According to Port Authority data, during the Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year travel period, 5.5 million passengers passed through the New York region's airports, including Newark.
When choosing which airport to fly into in the New York region, factors such as flight availability, airline preference, connecting flights, and accommodation location should be considered.
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Teterboro Airport is the oldest airport in the New York metropolitan area
New York City's airspace is among the busiest in the world, with John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) being the three major airports serving the city. JFK, located in Queens, is the largest and busiest of the three, seeing over 62 million passengers per year. LaGuardia served 30.6 million domestic passengers in 2023.
Teterboro Airport, situated in the boroughs of Teterboro, Moonachie, and Hasbrouck Heights in Bergen County, New Jersey, is the oldest operating airport in the New York metropolitan area. The airport is located 12 miles (19 km) north-northwest of Midtown Manhattan and is popular for private and corporate aircraft.
The history of Teterboro Airport dates back to 1917 when Walter C. Teter (1863–1929) acquired the property. During World War I, North American Aviation operated a manufacturing plant on the site. The first flight from the present airport site took place in 1919. In the years that followed, the airport served as a base for the Dutch aircraft designer Anthony Fokker and as a mail delivery hub for Colonial Air Transport. During World War II, the airport was utilised by the United States Army.
The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey purchased Teterboro Airport in 1949 from Fred L. Wehran, a private owner. They leased it to Pan American World Airways for 30 years until December 1, 2000, when they assumed full responsibility for the airport's operations.
Today, Teterboro Airport is owned and managed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and operated by AFCO AvPORTS Management. The airport covers 827 acres, including areas for aircraft hangars, offices, aeronautical use, runways, and undeveloped land. It has a weight limit of 100,000 pounds (45,000 kg) on aircraft, making it unsuitable for commercial service.
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Westchester County Airport is located 33 miles from New York City
New York City's airspace is among the busiest in the world, with three major airports serving the city. The busiest of the three is John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), located in Queens, which sees more than 62 million passengers per year. The other two major airports are LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), located in New Jersey.
While not one of the three major airports in New York City, Westchester County Airport is located approximately 33 miles (53 km) north of Midtown Manhattan. It is considered a satellite or reliever airport for the New York metropolitan area. The airport is situated about five miles east of White Plains and is the only airport in Westchester County, New York, and Fairfield County, Connecticut, with the New York-Connecticut state border running along its eastern perimeter.
Westchester County Airport was built during World War II in 1942 as a base for an Air National Guard unit to protect New York City and Rye Lake, an important part of the city's water supply system. The Guard unit moved to Stewart International Airport in Orange County in 1983 due to the growth of suburban Westchester. Today, the airport is known for its comfort and convenience, attracting passengers looking for an alternative to the larger, more crowded airports in the region.
The airport is easily accessible by road, with connections to major highways such as I-684 and New York State Route 120. It is also served by public transportation, with the Bee-Line Bus providing service from downtown White Plains and other locations in the area. Westchester County Airport has also been featured in various films and television shows, including "The Best Man," "Random Hearts," "Meet The Parents," and "The West Wing."
In terms of facilities, Westchester County Airport is home to the New York Wing Civil Air Patrol headquarters and the Lt. Anthony L. Willsea Cadet Squadron (NY-422). Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) services are provided by Airport Operations Crews, who own three ARFF apparatuses, two of which are in full-time service. The airport has a variety of dining options, including well-known New York favorites such as Shake Shack, Bubby's, and Dos Toros Taqueria.
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Frequently asked questions
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is New York City's main airport and the busiest of the three major airports serving the city. More than 70 airlines fly in and out of JFK, and it sees more than 30 million passengers per year.
The other two major airports in New York City are LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
LaGuardia Airport served 30.6 million domestic passengers in 2023. Newark Liberty International Airport is the fifth busiest international air gateway.
Some of the busiest airports in the New York metropolitan area include Teterboro Airport, Westchester County Airport, and Republic Airport.
