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John F. Kennedy International Airport
New York, United States
John F. Kennedy International Airport
New York's premier international gateway serving the world.
- ›JFK is the largest airport in New York State and one of the busiest in North America.
- ›The Concorde made its first U.S. commercial landing at JFK in November 1977.
- ›The airport was known as Idlewild Airport from 1948 until it was renamed in December 1963.
- ›A major $19 billion redevelopment program announced around 2022 aims to modernize and consolidate terminals.
- ›JFK handled the most international passengers of any U.S. airport for many consecutive years.
John F. Kennedy International Airport, opened in 1948 as Idlewild Airport and renamed in 1963, is the busiest international air passenger gateway in the United States. Sprawling across 5,000 acres in the Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, it serves over 60 million passengers annually and connects New York to more than 100 countries. JFK is both a logistical hub and a cultural landmark, reflecting the relentless energy of the city it represents.
- Terminal 1 — Handles major international carriers including Lufthansa, Air France, JAL, and Korean Air.
- Terminal 2 — Currently under redevelopment as part of the broader JFK transformation project.
- Terminal 4 — The largest terminal at JFK, serving Delta Air Lines and numerous international partners.
- Terminal 5 — Exclusive home of JetBlue Airways, known for its modern design and Eero Saarinen-inspired aesthetic.
- Terminal 6 — New terminal under construction, part of the multi-billion-dollar JFK redevelopment initiative.
- Terminal 7 — Serves British Airways and a handful of other international carriers.
- Terminal 8 — Primary hub for American Airlines and oneworld alliance partners including Iberia and Finnair.
- AirTrain JFK connects all terminals to Jamaica and Howard Beach subway stations (E, J, Z, A lines)
- Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) via AirTrain to Jamaica Station for direct Manhattan access
- NYC Taxi and rideshare services (Uber, Lyft) available at designated pick-up zones outside each terminal
- NYC express bus (SBS Q70) connects terminals to Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Avenue subway hub
- Car rental facilities accessible via AirTrain at the on-airport Federal Circle stop
- Private car and black-car services bookable in advance for direct Manhattan or borough transfers
- TWA Hotel (on-airport, Terminal 5 — iconic Saarinen building)
- JFK Inn (Jamaica, Queens)
- Hilton Garden Inn JFK Airport
- Hampton Inn & Suites Jamaica–JFK Airport
- Holiday Inn JFK
Inside JFK, Terminal 4 and Terminal 8 offer the widest selection, ranging from local New York staples like Shake Shack and Dunkin' to sit-down options and upscale bars in the Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounge. The TWA Hotel's Paris Café and Sunken Lounge are destination dining experiences even for non-guests, housed in the landmarked 1962 terminal. Outside the airport, Jamaica Avenue and nearby Howard Beach neighborhoods offer diverse and affordable dining reflecting Queens' extraordinary culinary diversity.
- Allow at least 10–15 minutes to ride the AirTrain between terminals; do not underestimate connection time.
- Peak traffic on the Van Wyck Expressway can make taxis and rideshares significantly slower than public transit — check real-time conditions.
- The TWA Hotel is open to the public and worth a visit for its mid-century architecture, even if you are not staying overnight.
- AirTrain is free between terminals but requires a MetroCard or OMNY payment when exiting to subway or LIRR stations.
AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is New York City's busiest airport, located in Queens, 15 miles from Manhattan. A major hub for American Airlines and Delta, it offers international and domestic flights to 200+ destinations, with six terminals and extensive dining and shopping options.
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Airlines serving this airport
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Stay, Eat & Explore: New York
The city that never sleeps
- •Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island — The harbor icons of American immigration history.
- •Central Park — 843 green acres of lakes, meadows and skyline views in Manhattan's heart.
- •Times Square & Broadway — Neon canyon and the world's most famous theatre district.
- •Metropolitan Museum of Art — Five thousand years of art on Museum Mile.
- •Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO — Walk the 1883 span to cobblestone streets and skyline photo spots.
Getting around: The 24-hour subway is the backbone; AirTrain links JFK and EWR. Yellow cabs, rideshare, ferries and CitiBike fill the gaps.
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John F. Kennedy International Airport is the primary international airport serving the New York metropolitan area. It is located on the southwestern shore of Long Island, in Queens, New York City, bordering Jamaica Bay. It is the busiest of the three airports in the New York airport system, the sixth-busiest airport in the United States. The airport, which covers 5,200 acres (2,104 ha), is the largest in the New York metropolitan area. Nearly 100 airlines operate from JFK Airport, with nonstop or direct flights to destinations on all six permanently inhabited continents.
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