John F. Kennedy International Airport (IATA: JFK, ICAO: KJFK, FAA LID: JFK) is a major international airport located near South Ozone Park in the borough of Queens in New York City, United States, approximately 12 miles (20 km) southeast of Lower Manhattan. It is the busiest international air passenger gateway into the United States, the busiest airport in the New York City airport system, and in 2024 handled a record 63.3 million passengers, including about 35.3 million international travellers. Over ninety airlines operate from the airport with nonstop or direct flights to destinations on all six inhabited continents.
The airport features six passenger terminals (Terminals 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8) and four active runways. It serves as a major hub for Delta Air Lines and American Airlines, and is the primary operating base for JetBlue Airways. In 2024, Delta accounted for roughly 29.7% of passengers, JetBlue about 23.4% and American about 11.8%.
Opened in 1948 as New York International Airport and commonly known as Idlewild Airport until being renamed in 1963 in memory of John F. Kennedy (the 35th President of the United States) following his assassination, the airport has undergone major transformations.
The airport’s major redevelopment program—valued at approximately US $19 billion—includes construction of a new Terminal 1, a remodelled Terminal 6 and enhancements to Terminals 4 and 8, all aimed at creating a unified and modern global-gateway experience.
New York John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, United States has runway lengths up to approximately 14,511 ft (4,423 m) (e.g., Runway 13R/31L) and is suitable for small propellers, small jets, medium jets, long-range jets, regional airliners and large airliners.