JFK International Airport

JFK International Airport
Name	John F. Kennedy International Airport
IATA	JFK
ICAO	KJFK
FAA	JFK
Owner	Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
City-served	New York metropolitan area
Location	Queens, New York City
Opened	1948 (as New York International Airport)
Hub	American Airlines, Delta Air Lines
Focus city	JetBlue
Elevation ft	13
Coordinates	40, 38, 23, N...
Website	https://www.jfkairport.com/

JFK International Airport. John F. Kennedy International Airport is a major international gateway for air travel into the New York metropolitan area and one of the busiest airports in the United States. Operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, it is located in the borough of Queens and serves as a primary hub for both American Airlines and Delta Air Lines. The airport is named in honor of the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, and has been a central figure in global aviation since its opening in the mid-20th century.

History

The airport opened in 1948 as New York International Airport, though it was commonly known as Idlewild Airport, after the Idlewild Beach Golf Course that previously occupied the site. Its development was driven by the post-war boom in commercial aviation and the limitations of the city's existing primary airport, LaGuardia Airport. In December 1963, following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the airport was renamed by a resolution of the New York City Council as a memorial. A major early architectural landmark was the TWA Flight Center, designed by Eero Saarinen and opened in 1962, which became an icon of the Jet Age. The airport's history is intertwined with pivotal moments in aviation, including the introduction of transatlantic jet airliner service by carriers like Pan American World Airways.

Terminals and facilities

The airport currently consists of six active passenger terminals, numbered 1 through 8, with terminals 3 and 6 having been demolished. Key facilities include the iconic TWA Flight Center, now repurposed as the TWA Hotel, and the newer Terminal 4, which is operated by a consortium including Schiphol Group. Terminal 5, built on the site of the former Eastern Air Lines terminal, is the base for JetBlue. Major ongoing redevelopment includes the massive new Terminal One project, a joint venture led by The Carlyle Group and JLC Infrastructure, which will replace the old Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. The airport also features extensive cargo facilities, making it a critical node for international freight.

Airlines and destinations

JFK is a global hub with non-stop flights to all six inhabited continents, served by over 90 airlines. It is a fortress hub for Delta Air Lines, which operates a large complex at Terminal 4 and Terminal 2, and for American Airlines, which is based at Terminal 8. JetBlue utilizes Terminal 5 as its primary focus city for both domestic and international routes. Major international carriers such as British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, Emirates, and Cathay Pacific maintain significant operations here, offering connections to global centers like London Heathrow Airport, Frankfurt Airport, and Tokyo Haneda Airport.

Ground transportation

Passenger access is provided by several major roadways, including the Van Wyck Expressway, the Belt Parkway, and the JFK Expressway. Public transit options include the AirTrain JFK, which connects all terminals to the New York City Subway and the Long Island Rail Road at stations like Jamaica Station and Howard Beach–JFK Airport station. Numerous private taxicab and rideshare services operate, while car rental agencies are consolidated in a dedicated facility. Direct bus service is also available via the MTA Regional Bus Operations network.

Accidents and incidents

The airport has been the site of several notable aviation accidents. These include the 1975 crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 66, which struck approach lights during a thunderstorm, and the 1990 Avianca Flight 52 disaster, where the Boeing 707 ran out of fuel and crashed on Long Island. A significant terrorist incident occurred in 1992 with the Southern Air Transport Flight 49 hijacking. The deadliest accident in the airport's vicinity was the 1996 crash of TWA Flight 800, a Boeing 747 that exploded shortly after takeoff from JFK bound for Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport.

In popular culture

The airport has been featured prominently in numerous films, television shows, and songs, cementing its status as a cultural icon of New York. It serves as a key setting in movies like *The Godfather Part II*, *Coming to America*, and *Catch Me If You Can*. The distinctive architecture of the TWA Flight Center has been used as a filming location for productions such as *The Irishman* and *Ocean's 8*. Musically, it is referenced in songs by artists including The Beatles in "Back in the U.S.S.R." and Madonna in "Papa Don't Preach".

Category:Airports in New York City Category:Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Category:Transportation in Queens, New York