Exploring New York JFK Airport and History

John F. Kennedy International Airport: A Gateway to New York City

Airport History

JFK Airport, originally known as Idlewild Airport, commenced operations in 1948 as New York International Airport. It was renamed JFK in 1963 in honor of assassinated President John F. Kennedy. The airport was conceived to alleviate congestion at LaGuardia Airport and involved a significant land reclamation project. A notable advantage of JFK is that most air traffic approaches over water, minimizing noise pollution in neighboring communities.

Architecture and Design

JFK is New York City's largest and busiest airport, featuring five passenger terminals and four runways. Over 90 airlines operate direct or connecting flights to destinations across six continents.

• Terminal 5: Opened in 2008 as a hub for JetBlue Airways, Terminal 5 houses 29 gates and serves several airlines.
• Terminal 7: Constructed in 1970 for Air Canada and BOAC, Terminal 7 now accommodates various airlines.

JFK's central terminal design, conceived by architectural firm Harrison & Abramovitz, incorporates an impressive central administration and terminal building. This design originally featured 86 gates.

Transportation and Access

JFK is situated in the Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, approximately 16 miles (26 kilometers) southeast of Midtown Manhattan. The airport is accessible via car, bus, shuttle, the JFK Express, or Interstate 678 (Van Wyck Expressway). Train service is also available.

Technical Capacity and Operations

JFK Airport covers an area of 5,200 acres (2,104 hectares) and serves as the primary gateway for international air passenger traffic to North America. In 2022, the airport handled 439,320 aircraft operations and accommodated 55,175,249 passengers.

JFK features four runways, with the longest measuring 4,423 meters and the shortest 2,560 meters in length. Additionally, there are four 18-meter-long helipads.

City to Airport Transportation

JFK offers various transportation options to reach downtown New York:

• Car
• Bus
• Shuttle
• JFK Express
• Van Wyck Expressway
• Train

Distinctive Features

JFK stands out as the busiest of New York City's seven airports and the 6th busiest in the United States. It is a major hub for over 90 airlines, providing direct flights to destinations on six continents.

Runway Features

JFK has a total of four runways, with the longest measuring 4,423 meters (14,511 feet) and the shortest 2,560 meters (8,400 feet) in length. The airport also features four 18-meter-long helipads.

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