John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), originally known as Idlewild Airport, emerged from humble beginnings to become one of the world’s most significant aviation hubs. The airport’s story began in 1942 amid World War II, when the site was selected to relieve congestion at LaGuardia Airport. Construction broke ground on a massive 4,900-acre site in southern Queens, much of it created by filling in marshland along Jamaica Bay.
Commercial operations commenced in July 1948 with the opening of the first terminal building and a 150-foot control tower. During the 1950s, Idlewild rapidly expanded as international air travel grew in popularity. The airport pioneered the concept of airline-specific terminals, with carriers like Pan American World Airways, Trans World Airlines (TWA), and American Airlines constructing their own distinctive facilities.
The airport was renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport in December 1963, just one month after the president’s assassination. This period coincided with the dawn of the jet age, which transformed JFK into America’s premier international gateway. The iconic TWA Flight Center, designed by Eero Saarinen and completed in 1962, became an architectural symbol of the optimism surrounding air travel during this era.
Through the 1970s and 1980s, JFK weathered dramatic changes in the airline industry, including deregulation and the oil crisis. The 1990s saw significant modernization efforts, with renovations to existing terminals and improved roadways. In the 21st century, JFK has undergone continuous development to maintain its competitive edge, including the construction of Terminal 4 (1997, expanded in 2013), JetBlue’s Terminal 5 (2008), and the recent transformation of the historic TWA terminal into the TWA Hotel (2019).
Each phase of JFK’s development reflects the evolving nature of global travel and New York’s enduring role as a world capital of commerce and culture.
JFK Quick Facts
- IATA Code: JFK
- ICAO Code: KJFK
- Location: Queens, New York, approximately 16 miles (26 km) southeast of Midtown Manhattan
- Elevation: 13 feet (4 meters) above sea level
- Runways: 4 runways (two 14,511 feet, one 10,000 feet, one 8,400 feet)
- Terminals: 6 active passenger terminals (T1, T2, T4, T5, T7, T8)
- Operating Hours: 24/7, with overnight flight restrictions
- Official Name: John F. Kennedy International Airport
- Airport Operator: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
- Hub For: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways
- Time Zone: Eastern Time (ET)
Impressive Statistics
JFK consistently ranks among the busiest airports in the United States and serves as the nation’s primary international gateway. In 2023, the airport handled approximately 62 million passengers, with international travelers accounting for about 34 million of that total. On peak days, more than 1,200 flights arrive and depart from its runways.
As a crucial cargo hub, JFK processes over 1.3 million tons of freight annually, making it one of the top air cargo centers in the country. The airport’s economic impact is immense, generating approximately $80 billion in economic activity for the New York/New Jersey metropolitan region and supporting more than 280,000 jobs, directly and indirectly.
The airport covers a vast area of 4,930 acres (2,000 hectares), with over 30 miles of taxiways connecting its terminals and runways. Its operations are supported by more than 37,000 public parking spaces across multiple garages and lots. On a typical day, over 50,000 airport employees work across the sprawling complex.
JFK serves as a gateway to the United States for visitors from around the world, with custom officers processing approximately 8 million international arrivals annually. The airport’s AirTrain system transports about 20 million passengers per year between terminals and to external connections.
Modern Facilities
JFK’s terminal complex offers travelers diverse facilities across six active passenger terminals, each with its own distinctive character. Terminal 4, the airport’s largest, spans 1.5 million square feet and serves as the primary international arrivals facility, handling more than 20 million passengers annually. Terminal 5, JetBlue’s home base, features a sleek, modern design with an abundance of natural light and a 25,000-square-foot marketplace.
Shopping options at JFK are extensive, with more than 140 retail outlets spread throughout the terminals. These range from luxury brands like Hermès, Bulgari, and Ferragamo to New York-centric shops offering local souvenirs and essentials. Duty-free shopping is available in all terminals serving international flights, with particularly extensive offerings in Terminals 1, 4, and 8.
Dining experiences reflect New York City’s reputation as a culinary capital, with approximately 120 food and beverage outlets across the airport. Travelers can find everything from grab-and-go New York classics like H&H Bagels to upscale restaurants by renowned chefs including Marcus Samuelsson and Andrew Carmellini. Each terminal showcases local flavors, with Brooklyn Brewery, Shake Shack, and Junior’s Cheesecake among the New York institutions represented.
Business travelers benefit from numerous lounges, including the flagship Delta Sky Club in Terminal 4, American Airlines Admirals Club in Terminal 8, and premium international lounges like the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse and Etihad Lounge. The TWA Hotel adjacent to Terminal 5 offers 512 soundproofed rooms for overnight stays, along with meeting spaces, restaurants, and even a rooftop infinity pool overlooking the runway.
Family-friendly amenities include children’s play areas in Terminals 1, 4, and 5, as well as nursing rooms throughout the airport. For passengers requiring assistance, JFK provides comprehensive accessibility services, including dedicated TSA lanes and inter-terminal wheelchair transportation.
Art enthusiasts can enjoy the airport’s extensive public art collection, which includes works by renowned artists like Alexander Calder, Robert Rauschenberg, and Michele Oka Doner. Terminal 4’s arrivals hall features a stunning 80-foot mobile by Harry Bertoia, while Terminal 8 showcases a dramatic 900-foot stained glass installation by American artist Robert Sowers.
Airlines and Destinations
As New York’s primary international gateway, JFK hosts approximately 70 airlines connecting the city to more than 190 destinations across six continents. The airport serves as a major hub for three U.S. carriers: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue Airways.
International connectivity is JFK’s hallmark, with more than 100 nonstop international routes. The airport offers extensive service to Europe, with multiple daily flights to London, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Madrid. Asian connections include direct service to Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Seoul, and Delhi.
JFK serves as the primary gateway to Africa from the United States, with nonstop flights to Johannesburg, Accra, Lagos, Cairo, and Casablanca. Latin American and Caribbean destinations are well-represented, with service to major cities including Mexico City, São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Lima, and numerous Caribbean islands.
Middle Eastern carriers maintain a strong presence, with Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways operating multiple weekly flights with their flagship aircraft. The airport also hosts prestigious European carriers including British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, and SWISS.
Domestic service is extensive as well, with frequent flights to major U.S. cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami, and Boston. JetBlue’s extensive network focuses particularly on transcontinental routes and service to Florida and the Caribbean.
Ground Transportation
JFK offers diverse transportation options connecting the airport to New York City and the surrounding region. The AirTrain JFK, an automated light rail system, links all terminals to each other and to external transportation hubs at Jamaica Station and Howard Beach. From Jamaica, travelers can connect to the New York City Subway (E, J, Z lines), Long Island Rail Road, and numerous bus routes. From Howard Beach, connections are available to the A subway line.
The combination of AirTrain and subway provides the most economical route into Manhattan, with a total journey time of 50-75 minutes depending on the destination. Express bus services include the NYC Express Bus, which offers direct service to Grand Central Terminal, Times Square, and the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan.
Taxi service to Manhattan operates on a flat-rate system (approximately $70 plus tolls and tip), with the journey typically taking 45-60 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft operate from designated pickup areas at each terminal, often providing a more economical alternative to traditional taxis.
For travelers heading to other parts of the tri-state area, shared-ride van services offer door-to-door transportation to destinations throughout New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Car rental facilities are centralized at the Federal Circle AirTrain station, accessible via free AirTrain service from all terminals.
Long-distance coach services connect JFK to Boston, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and other major cities in the Northeast corridor, operating from designated areas outside several terminals.
The Future Airport
JFK is in the midst of a transformative $19 billion redevelopment plan that will dramatically reshape the airport by 2030. This ambitious initiative aims to unify the currently fragmented terminal system into two primary terminal complexes on the north and south sides of the airport, connected by dual taxiways to improve aircraft circulation.
The centerpiece of the northern redevelopment is the new $9.5 billion Terminal One, which broke ground in 2022. Once completed, it will become the largest terminal at JFK, spanning 2.4 million square feet with 23 gates capable of handling the world’s largest aircraft. On the southern side, JetBlue is leading a $3.9 billion project to expand Terminal 5 and redevelop Terminal 7.
Terminal 4 continues its phased expansion with a $1.5 billion project adding 10 new gates. Meanwhile, American Airlines has completed the first phase of its Terminal 8 enhancement, which includes new widebody gates and improved facilities for premium passengers.
Ground transportation will see significant improvements with the development of enhanced roadways, expanded AirTrain capacity, and potential new rail connections. Plans for a direct rail link to Manhattan remain under consideration, which would dramatically reduce travel times to the city center.
Technological innovations play a key role in JFK’s future, with implementation of biometric boarding systems and advanced security screening designed to reduce wait times. Sustainability initiatives include LEED-certified new construction, solar power installations, and electric ground support equipment to reduce the airport’s carbon footprint.
When completed, the transformed JFK will increase capacity from 60 million to approximately 80 million passengers annually, ensuring that New York’s premier international gateway remains competitive with the world’s leading airports while providing an improved experience that befits the airport’s status as the first impression of New York for millions of international visitors.
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