
John F. Kennedy International Airport, more commonly known as JFK Airport, is located in Queens, New York City, and is the leading airport of the city. It is one of the most important aviation hubs in the world, serving over 62 million passengers annually and hosting more than 90 airlines. The airport opened in 1948 as New York International Airport, but was renamed in 1963 after the 35th president of the United States, John F. Kennedy, following his assassination.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | John F. Kennedy International Airport |
| Other Names | New York Airport, JFK Airport, Idlewild Airport |
| Location | Southwestern shore of Long Island, Queens, New York City |
| Distance from Manhattan | 16 miles (26 km) |
| Number of Terminals | 6 |
| Number of Gates | 131 |
| Number of Runways | 4 |
| Airlines | Over 80 |
| Annual Passengers | 62 million+ |
| Year Opened | 1948 |
| Previous Names | New York International Airport, Idlewild Airport |
| Year Renamed | 1963 |
| Renamed After | John F. Kennedy, 35th President of the United States |
| Rail Network | AirTrain JFK |
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What You'll Learn
- The airport is named after John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States
- JFK is one of the busiest airports in the US and a major international aviation hub
- It is located in Queens, New York City, and is the largest airport in the New York metropolitan area
- JFK is a base for several major airlines, including American Airlines, Delta, and JetBlue
- The airport has a dedicated rail network, AirTrain JFK, which connects to the New York City Subway

The airport is named after John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States
John F. Kennedy International Airport, commonly known as JFK Airport, is the leading airport in New York City. It is located in the Jamaica neighbourhood of Queens, 16 miles southeast of Midtown Manhattan. 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 New York International Airport when it opened in 1948, but it was commonly referred to as Idlewild Airport, named after the Idlewild Beach Golf Course, which was demolished to make way for the airport.
John F. Kennedy served as the 35th President of the United States from 1961 until his untimely death in 1963. He is remembered for his high-profile political career and significant contributions to American society and foreign policy. JFK, as he is often referred to, was a prominent figure who left a lasting legacy on the nation. His administration navigated complex domestic and international challenges and advocated for civil rights, space exploration, and economic growth.
JFK Airport was renamed in honour of President Kennedy to pay tribute to his impact on the nation. The airport is a significant transportation hub, serving as a gateway to New York City and the entire North American region. It handles flights from around the world, accommodating more than 62 million passengers annually. With over 90 airlines operating at the airport, it is the busiest international commercial airport in North America and one of the busiest airports in the United States.
The airport covers 5,200 acres, making it the largest in the New York metropolitan area. It consists of five passenger terminals and four runways, with various parking facilities and access options. JFK Airport is easily accessible by car, bus, shuttle, or other vehicle transit via the JFK Expressway or Interstate 678 (Van Wyck Expressway). It is also connected to the New York City Subway and the Long Island Rail Road through the AirTrain JFK rail network.
The renaming of the airport to John F. Kennedy International Airport serves as a lasting tribute to the late president and underscores the airport's importance as a major transportation hub in the United States.
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JFK is one of the busiest airports in the US and a major international aviation hub
John F. Kennedy International Airport (IATA: JFK, ICAO: KJFK, FAA LID: JFK) is a major international airport serving New York City and its metropolitan area. It is located on the southwestern shore of Long Island, in Queens, New York City, bordering Jamaica Bay. The airport is the busiest of the seven airports in the New York airport system, the sixth-busiest airport in the United States, and the busiest international commercial airport in North America.
JFK Airport covers 5,200 acres (2,104 ha) and is the largest in the New York metropolitan area. Over 90 airlines operate from the airport, with nonstop or direct flights to destinations on all six inhabited continents. The airport features five passenger terminals and four runways. It is a hub for American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, as well as the primary operating base for JetBlue. The airport is accessible via car, bus, shuttle, or other vehicle transit via the JFK Expressway or Interstate 678 (Van Wyck Expressway). It is also accessible by train, with the AirTrain JFK people-mover system linking each airport terminal to the New York City Subway and the Long Island Rail Road at Howard Beach and Jamaica.
JFK Airport is a major hub for air cargo between the United States and Europe, with London, Brussels, and Frankfurt being the top three trade routes. In 2003, the top destination markets for cargo flying out of JFK were Tokyo, Seoul, and London, while the top origin markets for imports were Seoul, Hong Kong, Taipei, and London.
JFK Airport has a rich history, opening in 1948 as New York International Airport, commonly known as Idlewild Airport. In 1963, following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the airport was renamed in his honour. The airport has undergone various expansions and renovations over the years, including the construction of the AirTrain JFK system, the opening of Terminal 1 in 1998, and the $1.4 billion replacement for the International Arrivals Building (Terminal 4) in 2001.
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It is located in Queens, New York City, and is the largest airport in the New York metropolitan area
John F. Kennedy International Airport, commonly known as JFK Airport, is located in the southeastern area of Queens County, New York City, approximately 16 miles (26 km) from Manhattan. The airport opened in 1948 as New York International Airport, but was commonly known as Idlewild Airport after the Idlewild Beach Golf Course, which was demolished to make way for the airport. In 1963, the airport was renamed after John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States, following his assassination.
JFK Airport is the largest airport in the New York metropolitan area, covering 5,200 acres (2,104 ha). It is the busiest of the seven airports in the New York airport system and is considered the principal air gate to North America. The airport handles flights from all over the world, with more than 80 airlines operating domestic and international flights. It is a major hub for American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and JetBlue.
The airport consists of six terminals, 131 gates, and four runways. The terminals are arranged in a huge "U" shape. Transfers between terminals can be troublesome, as the airport shuttles operate landside. There are numerous parking facilities available, including six parking lots near each terminal for short-term parking and a long-term parking lot for extended stays.
JFK Airport is accessible by car, bus, shuttle, or other vehicle transit via the JFK Expressway or Interstate 678 (Van Wyck Expressway). The AirTrain JFK, the airport's dedicated rail network, connects each passenger terminal to the New York City Subway and the Long Island Rail Road at Howard Beach and Jamaica.
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JFK is a base for several major airlines, including American Airlines, Delta, and JetBlue
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is a major international airport serving New York City and its metropolitan area. It is located on the southwestern shore of Long Island, in Queens, New York City, bordering Jamaica Bay.
JFK is a hub for several major airlines, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue. The airport is a former hub for Braniff, Eastern, Flying Tigers, National, Northeast, Northwest, Pan Am, Seaboard World, Tower Air, and TWA.
American Airlines operates from Terminal 8, which was rebuilt from the previous Terminals 8 and 9. Terminal 5 is the home of JetBlue and incorporates the TWA Flight Center. Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 are the Delta Air Lines hub, and Terminal 4 is where international arrivals on JetBlue come in between 10:30 pm and 5 am.
JFK is one of the nation's busiest hubs, with more than 70 domestic and international airlines flying to destinations across the United States and worldwide from its 130 gates. Over 90 airlines operate from JFK Airport, with nonstop or direct flights to destinations on all six inhabited continents.
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The airport has a dedicated rail network, AirTrain JFK, which connects to the New York City Subway
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK Airport) is a major international airport serving New York City and is located in Queens, New York City, bordering Jamaica Bay. The airport is accessible by car, bus, shuttle, or other vehicle transit, and also has a dedicated rail network called AirTrain JFK.
The AirTrain JFK is an elevated people mover system and airport rail link serving JFK Airport. It is an 8.1-mile-long (13 km) driverless system that operates 24/7 and consists of three lines and nine stations within Queens. The AirTrain connects the airport's terminals with the New York City Subway at the Howard Beach station in the eponymous neighbourhood, and with the Long Island Rail Road and the subway in the Jamaica neighbourhood.
The history of the AirTrain JFK dates back to the 1940s when a direct rail link to the airport was first proposed. Various plans surfaced over the decades, but funding issues and opposition from influential figures like New York City parks commissioner Robert Moses prevented their implementation. The idea of a direct rail connection was eventually cancelled in the mid-1990s due to political unpopularity and the economic recession.
Instead, the Port Authority proposed a 7.5-mile (12.1 km) monorail or people mover system, similar to the AirTrain Newark at Newark Airport. Construction on the current people-mover system began in 1998, and the AirTrain JFK officially opened on December 17, 2003, after facing several delays and lawsuits. The system has consistently exceeded passenger projections and has become a vital transport link for travellers using JFK Airport.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport was renamed in tribute to the 35th president of the United States, John F. Kennedy, after his assassination in 1963.
JFK airport is located in the southeastern area of Queens County, approximately 16 miles (26km) from Manhattan.
JFK airport is the busiest of the seven airports in the New York airport system, handling over 62 million passengers annually. It is the sixth-busiest airport in the United States and the busiest international commercial airport in North America.
More than 80 airlines operate domestic and international flights from JFK airport, with nonstop or direct flights to destinations on all six inhabited continents.
JFK airport consists of 6 terminals, 131 gates, and 4 runways.








































