Owais Crawford
New York City is one of the world's most famous and visited cities, but its airports have consistently ranked among the worst in America. Travellers often experience cramped, run-down conditions, poor facilities, lengthy delays, and long waits for connections. These issues are partly due to the proximity of JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark airports, which results in air traffic congestion and delays. The airports also suffer from poor transport connections, with traffic congestion at LaGuardia causing passengers to disembark from cabs along the highway and walk to the terminal with their luggage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Poor transport to and from the airports | Traffic congestion at LaGuardia is so bad that passengers are forced to jump from cabs along the highway to reach the terminal on foot, luggage in tow |
| Cramped, run-down conditions | Only about 72% of arriving flights were on time at LaGuardia in 2017 |
| Poor facilities | Lengthy delays at security, long waits for connections |
| Close proximity of airports | JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark are all in close proximity, along with smaller airports such as Teterboro and White Plains, which makes air traffic control difficult |
| High air traffic | Over 3,000 commercial flights pass through NYC airports every day, limited to just nine runways |
| Delays and cancellations | 24.08% of flights delayed at JFK in 2022, 26.51% at Newark |
| Immigration lines | JFK is unusually bad, and US airports in general are unusually bad for immigration lines |
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What You'll Learn
Poor transport to and from the airports
New York City's three major airports—LaGuardia (LGA), John F. Kennedy International (JFK), and Newark Liberty International (EWR)—have consistently ranked among the worst in America. One of the key factors contributing to their poor reputation is the inadequate transport options to and from the airports.
Traffic congestion around LaGuardia Airport is notorious, often resulting in passengers having to disembark from cabs along the highway and continue on foot, dragging their luggage behind them. The journey to and from the airport can be a frustrating experience, with travellers facing lengthy delays due to the congested roads.
The issue of poor transportation is not unique to LaGuardia. JFK and Newark Liberty International Airports also suffer from similar problems. Travellers often encounter long waits and delays when using public transportation to and from these airports. The complex and congested nature of New York City's airspace, with multiple airports in close proximity, further exacerbates the transport challenges.
While efforts are being made to improve transport connections, such as the construction of an air train connection at LaGuardia, these solutions may not be sufficient in the long term. Experts suggest that a more comprehensive approach, such as building additional runways or creating more efficient flight paths, may be necessary to address the underlying issues.
The poor transport situation at New York City's airports can significantly impact the overall travel experience for passengers. It contributes to the negative perception of these airports, which are vital transport hubs for both tourists and locals in one of the world's most famous and visited cities.
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Cramped, run-down conditions
New York City's three major airports—LaGuardia Airport (LGA), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)—have consistently ranked among the worst in America. Travellers often experience cramped, run-down conditions, poor facilities, and lengthy delays at these airports.
JFK, for instance, has a fragmented, disconnected terminal structure, with six passenger terminals owned and managed by different airlines or groups of airlines. Transferring between these terminals can be confusing and time-consuming, and the terminals are often cramped and overcrowded. In addition, the airport's proximity to LaGuardia and Newark airports means that air traffic control can be challenging, with the slightest unfavourable weather condition causing chaos and reducing the number of aircraft each airport can handle per hour.
LaGuardia Airport also faces issues with cramped conditions and poor transport to and from the airport. Passengers report being forced to jump from cabs along the highway to reach the terminal on foot due to hellish traffic congestion.
Plans are underway to renovate JFK and LaGuardia airports to increase their capacity and improve passenger facilities. The renovations at JFK, for instance, are expected to include larger waiting areas, new retail, restaurants, and bars, free high-speed WiFi, charging stations, and security enhancements. Similarly, LaGuardia Gateway Partners and Delta are financing two-thirds of the redevelopment costs for LaGuardia Airport's transformation.
Despite these efforts, New York City's airports continue to struggle with cramped, run-down conditions, chronic delays, and poor transportation options. These issues contribute to a negative experience for travellers and a poor reputation for the airports.
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Chronic delays and cancellations
New York City's airports are infamous for their chronic delays and cancellations. In 2022, John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) was voted one of the worst airports in the US, with 24.08% of its flights delayed. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) also made the list, with an even higher percentage of delayed flights at 26.51%.
Several factors contribute to the chronic delays and cancellations at NYC airports. Firstly, the proximity of JFK, LaGuardia (LGA), and EWR presents a challenge for air traffic controllers, who must carefully guide aircraft to each airport while ensuring they never overlap. This complex airspace is further complicated by weather conditions, with even slight changes causing significant reductions in the number of aircraft each airport can handle per hour. For example, strong crosswinds can force the closure of certain runways, as seen at Newark, which has three main runways that can be reduced to one in unfavorable wind conditions.
The limited number of runways at these airports exacerbates the problem. With only nine runways shared between JFK, LGA, and EWR, handling the high volume of flights becomes exceedingly difficult. Over 3,000 commercial flights pass through NYC airports daily, and when bottlenecks occur, the resulting congestion can cause delays. The FAA states that under the best conditions, these three airports combined can handle a maximum of 279 planes per hour, a number that decreases when additional distance is required between planes.
The fragmented terminal structure at JFK also contributes to delays. Unlike most modern airports with one or two central terminals, JFK has six passenger terminals operated by different airlines or management groups. This setup can make transferring between terminals confusing and time-consuming, impacting connection times and contributing to delays.
To address these issues, redevelopment plans have been proposed. A $13 billion plan, including $12 billion in private funding, aims to transform JFK with two new international terminal complexes, increasing capacity by at least 15 million passengers annually. The project is expected to be completed by 2025, with new passenger facilities such as larger waiting areas, improved transportation connections, and enhanced security.
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Long waits for connections
New York City's airports are notorious for their long waits and connections. The three main airport hubs, LaGuardia (LGA), John F. Kennedy International (JFK), and Newark Liberty International (EWR), have consistently ranked among the worst in America. Travellers often experience cramped conditions, poor facilities, and lengthy delays, including long waits for connections.
The issue of long waits for connections at NYC airports is multifaceted. Firstly, the airports themselves have structural and capacity issues. JFK, for example, has six passenger terminals, and transferring between them can be confusing and time-consuming. The airport's terminals are managed by different groups, leading to congestion and long lines. LaGuardia also faces similar issues, with reports of traffic congestion so severe that passengers have to disembark from cabs on the highway and walk to the terminal with their luggage.
Secondly, the proximity of these airports to each other adds to the complexity of air traffic control. With JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark all located close together, air traffic controllers must carefully guide aircraft to each airport while ensuring they do not conflict. This delicate balance can be easily disrupted by unfavourable weather conditions, reducing the number of aircraft each airport can handle per hour and causing delays.
Additionally, the high volume of air traffic in NYC contributes to long waits for connections. Over 3,000 commercial flights pass through NYC airports daily, utilizing just nine runways. This congestion can lead to bottlenecks, where a single delay can cause a cascade of disruptions, with aircraft sometimes forced to circle or take less direct routes.
To address these issues, redevelopment plans have been proposed. For JFK, a $13 billion plan includes building two new international terminal complexes to increase capacity and improve passenger facilities. LaGuardia is also undergoing redevelopment to enhance capacity and passenger experience. While these improvements are expected to alleviate some of the issues, there are calls for more distant high-capacity regional airports to be built to truly address the region's capacity problems.
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Immigration lines
The efficiency of the immigration process can vary depending on the time of day, day of the week, and season. For example, arriving at JFK on a Sunday afternoon might offer a smoother experience than arriving during busier periods. However, even during quieter periods, unforeseen circumstances, such as multiple large aircraft arriving simultaneously, can lead to unexpected delays.
The conduct of airport staff also influences the immigration experience. Some travellers have reported rude or unhelpful behaviour from staff, including customs officers, which can further detract from the overall experience. Additionally, the scrutiny and questioning by customs officers, while necessary, can prolong the immigration process. Customs officers have the authority to ask about immigration status, search belongings, and even inspect electronic devices, which can be time-consuming and sometimes invasive.
It is worth noting that similar challenges are faced at other international airports, and individual experiences can vary. Some travellers have shared strategies for expediting the process, such as enrolling in programs like Global Entry or Mobile Passport, which offer designated lanes for faster processing. Additionally, travellers are advised to avoid peak times and be prepared for potential delays, especially when transferring through the US.
While the immigration lines at NYC airports may pose challenges, being informed about one's rights and knowing what to expect can help travellers navigate the process more effectively.
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Frequently asked questions
New York City's three major airports—LaGuardia (LGA), John F. Kennedy International (JFK), and Newark Liberty International (EWR)—have consistently ranked among the worst in America due to issues such as poor transport to and from the airports, cramped and rundown conditions, lengthy delays, and long waits for connections.
Efforts are being made to improve NYC airports, with redevelopment plans for JFK expected to be completed by 2025, including the addition of new terminals, larger waiting areas, enhanced security, and improved passenger facilities.
In 2022, John F. Kennedy International Airport was ranked 8th in the US for the highest percentage of delayed flights, with 24.08% of flights delayed.
