SafekipediaJohn F. Kennedy International Airport
Adapted from Wikipedia · Discoverer experience
John F. Kennedy International Airport (IATA: JFK, ICAO: KJFK, FAA LID: JFK) is one of the biggest airports in the United States, helping people travel all around the world. It is found on the southwestern shore of Long Island in Queens, a part of New York City. This airport is very important because it has flights to almost every part of the world.
JFK Airport is the busiest airport for international travel in North America. It has five big buildings where passengers check in and four long strips of land where airplanes take off and land. Many airlines use JFK as a main place to operate from, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue.
The airport started operating in 1948 and was first called New York International Airport, or Idlewild Airport. After John F. Kennedy was sadly killed in 1963, the airport was renamed in his honor to remember his service. Today, JFK continues to be a key place for travelers visiting or leaving New York City and the surrounding areas.
History
John F. Kennedy International Airport opened in 1948 as New York International Airport, commonly called Idlewild Airport after the nearby golf course it replaced. It was built to ease overcrowding at LaGuardia Field, which opened in 1939. Construction began in 1943 on a large area of marshland by Jamaica Bay.
Idlewild had its first flight in July 1948, with a ceremony led by U.S. President Harry S. Truman and New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey. Early years saw rapid growth, with new runways, terminals, and buildings added regularly. The airport became a major hub for international travel by the 1950s, featuring unique terminals designed by famous architects.
The airport was renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport in December 1963, shortly after President Kennedy's assassination. It became New York's busiest airport by the 1960s and hosted famous flights like the Concorde and the world's longest flight today. Modern terminals and transit systems like the AirTrain have been added over the years to keep up with growing passenger numbers.
Access
Main article: AirTrain JFK
You can reach John F. Kennedy International Airport by train, bus, or car. The AirTrain JFK is a special train that stops at every passenger terminal and also goes to nearby subway and train stations. To use the subway or train from those stations, you need to pay with a special card.
Several bus routes stop at the airport, and you can also drive there using major highways. The airport has many parking spots for cars, plus a place to get food and fill up gas. Taxis and other ride cars are also available to take you to and from the airport.
Terminals
JFK Airport has five active terminals with 130 gates in total, numbered 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8. These terminals are arranged in a U-shape around a central area with parking and other facilities. They are connected by the AirTrain system and access roads.
Terminal 1 opened in 1998 and is used by airlines like Air France, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, and Lufthansa. Terminal 4 is a hub for Delta Air Lines and can handle large aircraft like the Airbus A380. Terminal 5, opened in 2008, is the main base for JetBlue. Terminal 7 is used by airlines such as Air Canada and British Airways, and Terminal 8 is a hub for American Airlines and other Oneworld airlines.
The airport is undergoing major changes, including building new terminals and updating existing ones to handle more passengers and flights.
Runways and taxiways
John F. Kennedy International Airport spans a large area of 5,200 acres, which is about 21 square kilometers. It has over 25 miles (40 km) of paved paths called taxiways that help airplanes move around the airport. These taxiways are wide and strong, with special markings and lights to guide pilots. The airport features four runways, arranged in two pairs, which surround the main area where the terminals are located.
| Number | Length | Width | ILS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13R/31L | 14,511 feet (4,423 m) | 200 feet (61 m) | Cat. I (31L) |
| 13L/31R | 10,000 feet (3,048 m) | 200 feet (61 m) | Cat. II (13L); Cat. I (31R) |
| 4R/22L | 8,400 feet (2,560 m) | 200 feet (61 m) | Cat. III (both directions) |
| 4L/22R | 12,079 feet (3,682 m) | 200 feet (61 m) | Cat. I (both directions) |
Operational facilities
The air traffic control tower at JFK Airport was completed in October 1994. Designed by Pei Cobb Freed & Partners, it was the world's tallest control tower at 320 feet (98 m) when it was built. Today, taller towers exist, such as the one at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport and KLIA2 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The airport gets its electricity from its own power plant, which uses natural gas to produce energy for airport operations. This plant also provides heating and cooling for all the passenger terminals.
Other facilities
John F. Kennedy International Airport has many buildings for administrative work, government use, and air cargo support. In 2002, the New York metropolitan area handled a large amount of the nation's air cargo, with JFK alone having millions of square feet of warehouse space.
The airport also includes special facilities such as three chapels for travelers and a luxury area called the Ark at JFK Airport for pets, which opened in 2017. There are also several hotels near the airport, such as the Courtyard by Marriott and the Crowne Plaza. In 2019, the famous TWA Hotel opened in the old TWA Flight Center building, featuring a large observation deck and pool. Nearby, Resorts World New York City is a casino hotel close to the Aqueduct Racetrack.
| Building # | Status | Use | Current tenant(s) | Additional information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Active | Cargo | FedEx Express | |
| 9 | Active | Cargo | Korean Air Cargo | Opened in 2001 on a 188,000 ft2 (17,500 m2) site capable of handling three 747 aircraft. The facility was the first at JFK to utilize a computerized automated storage and retrieval system for cargo handling. |
| 14 | Active | Admin. | Port Authority | |
| JFK Medport | ||||
| 15 | Active | Ground service | Snowlift | |
| 17 | Inactive | Hangar | Former Tower Air hangar and office. Later housed artifacts from September 11 attacks, which were distributed to the 9/11 Museum and other memorials. | |
| 23 | Active | Cargo | Lufthansa Cargo | Previously known as 'Tract 8/9A'. Development of the 434,000 ft2 (40,300 m2) site began in August 2001. Currently capable of handling four 747 aircraft. Previous tenants included Alliance Airlines and Cargo Service Center. |
| Qantas Freight | ||||
| Swissport USA | ||||
| CAL Cargo Air Lines | ||||
| 66 | Active | Cargo | Nippon Cargo Airlines | |
| 77 | Active | Mixed | U.S. Customs and Border Protection | |
| Alliance Ground International | ||||
| 81 | Active | Hangar | JetBlue | 140,000 ft2 (13,000 m2) maintenance facility with 70,000 ft2 (6,500 m2) of hangar space. It broke ground in 2003 and opened in 2005 for $45 million. |
| 81A | ||||
| 81B | ||||
| 86 | Active | Cargo | MSN Air Service | |
| 89 | Active | Cargo | DHL Global Forwarding | |
| 139 | Active | Ground service | LSG Sky Chefs | |
| 141 | Active | Mixed | Aviation High School1 | Originally housed the Port Authority.2 Other tenants included Servisair, the Port Authority Police Department, and North American Airlines. 1 In 2000, a 5,000 ft2 (460 m2) aircraft powerplant lab annex was opened for $800,000 to serve maintenance students. 2 In 2003, the building was dedicated in honor of PANYNJ employee Morris Sloane. |
| ABM Parking | ||||
| 145 | Active | Ground service | Sheltair | Previously operated by PANYNJ. It became the first privately operated FBO in JFK's history when it was transferred from PANYNJ on May 21, 2012. |
| 151 | Active | Cargo | Worldwide Freight Services | |
| Swissport | ||||
| 178 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Former Tower Air headquarters |
| 208 | Active | Ground service | Aerosnow | Former 400,000 ft2 (37,000 m2) Pan Am facility |
| 213 | Inactive | Passenger terminal | Former Tower Air terminal | |
| 254 | Active | Public safety | PAPD | |
| 255 | Active | Public safety | PAPD | ARFF training facility equipped with two propane-fueled, computer-controlled aircraft fire simulators. |
| 269 | Active | Public safety | PAPD |
Airlines and destinations
JFK is a very important place for cargo flights. It is the top airport in the United States for international air cargo. Many cargo airlines use JFK, including Air ACT, Air China Cargo, ABX Air, Asiana Cargo, Atlas Air, CAL Cargo Air Lines, Cargolux, Cathay Cargo, China Airlines, EVA Air Cargo, Emirates SkyCargo, Nippon Cargo Airlines, FedEx Express, DHL Aviation, Kalitta Air, Korean Air Cargo, Lufthansa Cargo, UPS Airlines, Southern Air, National Airlines, Icelandair Cargo, and formerly World Airways.
Most cargo buildings are located north and west of the main terminals. Some big airlines have their own special buildings for cargo at JFK.
Statistics
John F. Kennedy International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the United States, handling many passengers each year. It serves as a major gateway for international travel in North America.
The airport has many airlines flying to different destinations. Some of the biggest airlines include Delta, JetBlue, and American. Other airlines such as British Airways, Avianca, and Virgin Atlantic also operate flights from JFK.
| Year | Passengers |
|---|---|
| 2009 | |
| 2010 | |
| 2011 | |
| 2012 | |
| 2013 | |
| 2014 | |
| 2015 | |
| 2016 | |
| 2017 | |
| 2018 | |
| 2019 | |
| 2020 | |
| 2021 | |
| 2022 | |
| 2023 | |
| 2024 | |
| 2025 |
| Rank | Airline | Passengers | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delta Air Lines | 18,733,399 | 29.7% |
| 2 | JetBlue | 14,803,752 | 23.4% |
| 3 | American Airlines | 7,435,502 | 11.8% |
| 4 | British Airways | 1,329,549 | 02.1% |
| 5 | Avianca | 1,202,880 | 01.9% |
| 6 | Alaska Airlines | 1,116,415 | 01.8% |
| 7 | Virgin Atlantic | 1,104,329 | 01.7% |
| 8 | Air France | 1,022,365 | 01.6% |
| 9 | Frontier Airlines | 1,009,927 | 01.6% |
| 10 | Emirates | 866,128 | 01.4% |
Other
Law enforcement at John F. Kennedy International Airport is mainly handled by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department. They patrol the terminals, investigate crimes, and work with other agencies like the Transportation Security Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
You can find parking and traffic information by tuning to a special radio station. The airport uses clear signs to help passengers find their way, and there are welcome centers to assist with transportation and hotels.
In media
Many movies, TV shows, and books have used John F. Kennedy International Airport as a setting. Some popular films include Final Destination from 2000, Catch Me If You Can from 2002, The Terminal from 2004, and Ocean's 8 from 2018, all of which feature scenes at the airport.
TV series like The Strain (TV series), The Flight Attendant, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel have also filmed at JFK. Books such as 58 Minutes by Walter Wager and The Metropolitan Airport: JFK International and Modern New York by Nicholas Dagen Bloom explore stories and history related to the airport.
Images
This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on John F. Kennedy International Airport, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Images from Wikimedia Commons. Tap any image to view credits and license.