JFK: Fast Facts & History
John F. Kennedy International Airport opened on July 1, 1948 as New York International Airport (Idlewild) and was renamed on December 24, 1963.
About
JFK serves as New York City’s primary international gateway with nonstop flights across the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The airport connects to Manhattan via AirTrain links to the subway and Long Island Rail Road, and it anchors a regional economy that includes tens of thousands of on‑airport jobs.
Today’s multi‑year redevelopment is replacing aging terminals with modern facilities, expanding curb and roadway capacity, and improving the passenger experience. When complete, the new Terminal 1 and Terminal 6 will add significant international gate capacity, while upgrades at Terminals 4 and 8 streamline connections.
In 1941, New York City selected marshland on Jamaica Bay — including the Idlewild Golf Course — for a new international airport. Construction began in 1943, and the field opened to airline service in 1948. During the late 1950s and early 1960s, individual airline terminals rose around a central area, including the landmark TWA Flight Center. The airport was renamed in 1963 to honor President John F. Kennedy.
Expansions & Redevelopment
- Airfield upgrades in the 2000s–2010s widened Runway 13R/31L to 200 feet and added new high‑speed taxiways to reduce delays.
- Current multi‑billion program adds a New Terminal 1 and New Terminal 6 (first gates planned in 2026), expands Terminal 4, and modernizes Terminal 8.
Fast Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Jamaica, Queens, NYC — about 15–16 miles from Midtown Manhattan (by highway). |
| Site Size | 4,930 acres. |
| Runways | 4 (13R/31L, 13L/31R, 4L/22R, 4R/22L). |
| 2024 Passengers | ~63.3 million. |
| 2024 Aircraft Operations | ~468,568. |
| 2024 Cargo | ~1.67 million short tons. |
Independent guide. Policies and schedules can change quickly; confirm specifics with official sources linked on each page.