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Idlewild Airport

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Article Genealogy
Parent: Ground-controlled approach Hop 3
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Idlewild Airport
NameIdlewild Airport
OwnerCity of New York
OperatorPort Authority of New York and New Jersey
City-servedNew York City
LocationQueens
Opened1948
Closed1963 (renamed)

Idlewild Airport. Opened in 1948 to relieve congestion at LaGuardia Airport and Newark Airport, this major international aviation facility was constructed on the site of the former Idlewild Beach Golf Course in Queens. It was developed and operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as a state-of-the-art gateway, featuring innovative terminal designs and expansive runways capable of handling the new jet age. The airport's strategic importance grew rapidly, serving as a primary hub for transatlantic flight and becoming a critical node in the global network of Pan American World Airways and other carriers.

History

Planning for a new major airport began in the 1940s under Mayor of New York City Fiorello La Guardia and New York City Planning Commission chairman Robert Moses. Construction commenced in 1942, but was delayed by World War II, with the site used for military purposes including by the United States Navy. The first commercial flight, operated by American Airlines, departed in 1948. The airport's initial design featured a central terminal and a unique plan for individual airline terminal buildings, inspired by the 1939 New York World's Fair. Early expansion was rapid to accommodate the postwar boom in air travel, with significant contributions from architects like Wallace Harrison.

Renaming and transition to JFK

Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in November 1963, public sentiment and a resolution by the New York City Council led to the airport's renaming. On December 24, 1963, the facility was officially redesignated as John F. Kennedy International Airport in a ceremony attended by officials including Mayor of New York City Robert F. Wagner Jr. and members of the Kennedy family. The transition involved updating all official documentation, air traffic control designators, and global aviation charts, a process managed by the Federal Aviation Administration and the International Air Transport Association.

Facilities and infrastructure

The airport was renowned for its pioneering terminal architecture, most notably the TWA Flight Center designed by Eero Saarinen, which opened in 1962. Other distinctive terminals included the Pan Am Worldport, famous for its flying saucer-shaped roof. Its airfield configuration originally included four main runways arranged in a unique pattern to maximize efficiency, with further expansions planned. Support facilities included extensive aircraft maintenance hangars operated by carriers like Eastern Air Lines, cargo buildings for freight aircraft, and one of the first modern air traffic control tower complexes in the United States.

Airlines and destinations

As a premier international gateway, it served as the primary transatlantic base for Pan American World Airways, connecting New York City to destinations like London Heathrow Airport, Paris-Orly Airport, and Frankfurt Airport. Major domestic carriers such as American Airlines, Eastern Air Lines, Trans World Airlines, and National Airlines established significant operations, offering flights to Los Angeles International Airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport, and Miami International Airport. It also hosted early jet aircraft services from European flag carriers including BOAC, Air France, and Lufthansa.

Accidents and incidents

The airport was the site of several notable aviation accidents during its operational history under this name. In 1951, a Miami Airlines Curtiss C-46 Commando crashed during approach, resulting in significant loss of life. Another major incident occurred in 1960 when a Delta Air Lines Douglas DC-8 collided with a United Air Lines Douglas DC-8 over New York City, with one aircraft crashing in Staten Island and the other in Park Slope, Brooklyn, an event investigated by the Civil Aeronautics Board. These tragedies highlighted evolving challenges in air traffic control and terminal area procedures.

The airport featured prominently in mid-20th century films and literature, symbolizing modern travel and jet-set glamour. It served as a key setting in the 1959 film North by Northwest, directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The iconic TWA Flight Center was frequently depicted in media and advertisements as the epitome of space-age design. Literary references appear in works by authors like Jack Kerouac and Ian Fleming, capturing its atmosphere as a bustling crossroads. Its imagery was also used in contemporary television shows and newsreels by networks like CBS.

Category:Airports in New York City Category:Transportation in Queens, New York Category:Defunct airports in the United States