For the regional airport in Wisconsin, see John F. Kennedy Memorial Airport.

John F. Kennedy International Airport (IATA: JFK, ICAO: KJFK), originally known as Idlewild Airport and colloquially known as Kennedy or simply JFK, is an international airport located in Jamaica, Queens, in southeastern New York City about 12 miles (19 km) from Lower Manhattan.
JFK airport is the newest and busiest of New York City's three primary commercial airports. It is the top international air passenger gateway to the United States Other top international destinations from JFK are Paris, Frankfurt, and Tokyo. Nearly 100 airlines from over 50 countries operate regularly scheduled flights from JFK.
Although JFK is known for its historical role as an international gateway airport for the United States, it also handles a large number of domestic flights. In 2006 the airport handled 42.6 million passengers; Newark Liberty Airport handled about 35.4 million and LaGuardia Airport about 26 million, making for a total of approximately 104 million travelers using New York's airports.

History
JFK is undergoing a $10.3 billion redevelopment. The airport recently opened a new Terminal 1. The $1.4 billion replacement for the International Arrivals Building, Terminal 4, opened in 2001. Construction has begun on JetBlue Airways' new new Terminal 5, which will incorporate the historic landmark TWA FlightCenter terminal. Delta Air Lines has undertaken a refurbishment of Terminals 2 and 3 (for its hub operation), while Terminals 8 and 9 are currently undergoing redevelopment as one single terminal for American Airlines hub operation.
Original plans called for the redevelopment of Terminal 6 for United Airlines . However, United has since dramatically reduced its operation at JFK and has abandoned any plans for a future JFK hub. As of August 2007, no plans have been released as to the future of Terminal 6, currently occupied by JetBlue, once the airline's new Terminal 5 becomes operational.

Redevelopment plans

Infrastructure and services
Two pairs of parallel runways, four in all, surround the airport's central terminal area: 4L-22R, 4R-22L, 13L-31R and 13R-31L. Runway 13R-31L is the second longest commercial runway in North America, at a length of 14,572 ft (4,441 m).
Runway 4R-22L is 8,400 feet long and 200 feet wide. It is equipped at both ends with Instrument Landing Systems (ILS), Approach Lighting Systems (ALS) with sequenced flashers, and touchdown zone (TDZ) lighting.
Runway 4R is a Category III A/L ILS runways, permitting landings with a visibility of 600 feet or more by qualified aircrews. The first Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS) in North America was installed at the northeast end of the runway in 1996. The bed consists of cellular cement material, which can safely decelerate and stop an aircraft that overruns the runway. The arrestor bed concept was originated and developed by the Port Authority and installed at JFK Airport as a joint research and development project with the FAA and industry. Runway 22L ILS is also a Category III runway. Runway 4L-22R is 11,351 feet long by 150 feet wide and is also equipped with ILS at both ends allowing landings down to three-quarters of a mile visibility. Takeoffs can be conducted with one-eighth of a mile visibility.
Runway 13L-31R is 10,000 feet long by 150 feet wide and is equipped at both ends with ILS and ALS systems. Runway 13L has two additional visual aids for landing aircraft, a Visual Approach Slope Indicator System (VASI) and a Lead-In Lighting System (LDIN). The ILS on 13L has Category II capability, and along with TDZ lighting, allows landings down to half a mile visibility. Takeoffs can be made with visibility of one-eighth of a mile.
JFK has over 25 miles of taxiways to move aircraft in and around the airfield. The standard width of these taxiways is 75 feet, with 25-foot heavy-duty shoulders and 25-foot erosion control pavements on each side. The taxiways have centerline lights and are generally of asphalt concrete composition 15 to 18 inches thick. An illuminated sign system provides directional information for taxiing aircraft.
The Air Traffic Control Tower, constructed on the ramp-side of Terminal 4, began full FAA operations in October 1994 and is 321 feet tall. An Airport Surface Detection Equipment (ASDE) radar unit sits atop the tower. A gas-fired electric cogeneration plant generates electricity for the airport, with an output of about 90 megawatts. It uses thermal energy from the capture of waste heat to heat and cool all of the passenger terminals and other facilities in the central terminal area.
Aircraft service facilities include seven aircraft hangars, an engine overhaul building, a 32-million gallon aircraft fuel storage facility, and a truck garage.

Runways
JFK has eight passenger terminals in operation arranged in a U-shaped pattern around a central area containing parking, hotels, a power plant, and other airport facilities. The terminals are connected by the AirTrain system and access roads. A 2006 survey by J.D. Power and Associates in conjunction with Aviation Week found JFK ranked second in overall traveller satisfaction among large airports in the United States, behind McCarran International Airport which serves the Las Vegas metropolitan area.
Terminal 8 will eventually be dismantled now that the new Terminal 9 building is operational.

Passenger terminals
JFK is the nation's busiest international air freight gateway by value of shipments and the second busiest overall by value including all air, land and sea U.S. freight gateways. Over 21% of all U.S. international air freight by value and 11% by tonnage moved through JFK in 2003.
Most cargo and maintenance facilities at JFK are located north and west of the main terminal area. The following airlines have dedicated cargo terminals at JFK: Continental Airlines, DHL, Emirates SkyCargo, EVA Air, Evergreen International Airlines, FedEx Express, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Nippon Cargo Airlines, United Cargo, and UPS.
In 2000, Korean Air Cargo opened a new $102 million cargo terminal at JFK. It was the largest air freight facility on the East Coast with total warehouse floor area of more than 55,000 sq ft (16, 764 m²) and capability of handling 200,000 tons annually.

Air freight

Main article: Transportation to New York City area airports Ground transportation
JFK is connected to New York's subway and commuter rail system by the AirTrain. AirTrain stops at all terminals, car rental lots, and two subway stations. It is free within the airport and $5 to reach the subway stations outside the airport perimeter. Travel time between JFK and Midtown Manhattan is approximately 45 minutes using AirTrain and the Long Island Rail Road at Jamaica Station (~$8); or approximately 75 minutes using AirTrain and the New York City Subway A train at Howard Beach-JFK Station ($2) or E, J and Z trains at Sutphin Boulevard Station ($2).

Rail
Several city bus lines link JFK to the New York City Subway and Long Island Rail Road, including the Q3, Q6, Q7, Q10 (Local/Limited), and B15, with free transfers provided for subway connections. The buses are handicapped accessible. There are also many private bus lines operating express buses to Manhattan, the Hudson Valley, and Long Island.

Bus
New York City's yellow cabs, operated by the New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission, offer a flat rate service of $45 (as of 2007) from JFK airport to Manhattan, excluding tips and tolls. Since November 30, 2006, this flat rate fare (excluding tips and tolls) applies to travel from Manhattan to JFK as well. Depending on the time of day, taxi travel from JFK to Midtown Manhattan can be as quick as 35 minutes. New York Taxi's accommodate 4 passengers except vans which accommodate 5.

Taxi

Airlines and destinations

Aeroflot (Moscow-Sheremetyevo)
Aeroméxico (Mexico City, Puebla)
Air China (Beijing)
Air France (Paris-Charles de Gaulle)
Alitalia (Milan-Malpensa, Rome-Fiumicino)
Austrian Airlines (Vienna)
Cayman Airways (Grand Cayman)
China Airlines (Taipei-Taiwan Taoyuan)
China Eastern Airlines (Shanghai-Pudong)
Japan Airlines (São Paulo-Guarulhos, Tokyo-Narita)
Korean Air (Seoul-Incheon)
Lufthansa (Frankfurt, Munich)
Olympic Airlines (Athens)
Royal Air Maroc (Casablanca)
Saudi Arabian Airlines (Jeddah, Riyadh)
Swiss International Air Lines (Geneva, Zürich)
Turkish Airlines (Istanbul-Atatürk) Terminal 1

Delta Air Lines (see Terminal 3)

• Delta Connection operated by Chautauqua Airlines (Cleveland, Columbus, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, Richmond)
  Delta Connection operated by Comair (Atlanta, Baltimore/Washington, Boston, Buffalo, Burlington (VT), Chicago-O'Hare, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, Cleveland, Columbus, Detroit, Hartford/Springfield, Montréal, Nashville, Norfolk, Pittsburgh, Portland (ME), Richmond, Rochester (NY), Syracuse, St. Louis, Toronto-Pearson, Washington-Dulles, Washington-Reagan)
  Delta Connection operated by Freedom Airlines (Albany (NY), Atlanta, Baltimore/Washington, Binghamton [ends September 6], Hartford/Springfield, Manchester (NH), Nantucket, Norfolk, Philadelphia, Portland (ME), Providence, Raleigh/Durham, Richmond, Syracuse, Washington-Dulles) Terminal 2
  
  Delta Air Lines (Accra, Amsterdam, Aruba, Athens, Atlanta, Barcelona, Berlin-Tegel, Boston, Brussels, Bucharest-Otopeni, Budapest, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, Denver, Dublin, Edinburgh [begins May 1, 2008], Fort Lauderdale, Frankfurt, Guatemala City [begins December 14], Istanbul-Atatürk, Kiev-Boryspil, Las Vegas, Liberia (CR) [begins February 16, 2008], London-Gatwick, Los Angeles, Los Cabos, Madrid, Manchester (UK), Mexico City, Miami, Milan-Malpensa, Montego Bay, Moscow-Sheremetyevo, Mumbai, Nice, Orlando, Panama City [begins December 13], Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Phoenix, Pisa, Port of Spain [begins December 20], Portland (OR), Puerto Vallarta, Punta Cana, Rome-Fiumicino, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose (CR) [begins February 15, 2008], San Juan (PR), Santiago (DR), Santo Domingo, São Paulo-Guarulhos, Seattle/Tacoma, Shannon, St. Thomas, Tampa, Tel Aviv [begins March 10, 2008]/pending government approval], Venice, West Palm Beach)
  
  
  
  • Delta Connection operated by Shuttle America (Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Dallas/Fort Worth)
    US Helicopter Gate 11 (Bridgeport, Downtown Manhattan Heliport, East 34th St. Heliport, Newark) Terminal 3
    
    Aer Lingus (Dublin, Shannon)
    Aerolíneas Argentinas (Buenos Aires-Ezeiza)
    Aerosvit Airlines (Kiev-Boryspil)
    Air India (Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, London-Heathrow, Mumbai)
    Air Jamaica (Barbados, Grenada, Kingston, Montego Bay)
    Air Tahiti Nui (Papeete)
    Asiana Airlines (Seoul-Incheon)
    Avianca (Barranquilla, Bogotá, Cali, Medellin-Cordova, Pereira)
    Caribbean Airlines (Georgetown, Port of Spain)
    Constellation Charter Group operated by Primaris Airlines (Georgetown, Port of Spain) [charters]
    Continental Airlines (Houston-Intercontinental)
    
    
    
    • Continental Connection operated by CommutAir (Cleveland)
      Copa Airlines (Panama City)
      Czech Airlines (Prague)
      EgyptAir (Cairo)
      El Al (Tel Aviv)
      Emirates (Dubai, Hamburg)
      Eos Airlines (London-Stansted)
      Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi)
      Eurofly (Bologna [seasonal], Delhi [seasonal], Naples [seasonal], Palermo [seasonal], Rome-Fiumicino [seasonal])
      flyglobespan (Knock, Liverpool [ends in October])
      Israir (Tel Aviv)
      JetBlue Airways (Cancún [arrivals], San Juan (PR), Santiago (DR) [arrivals], Santo Domingo [arrivals])
      KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (Amsterdam)
      Kuwait Airways (Kuwait City, London-Heathrow)
      LAN Airlines (Lima, Santiago)
      
      
      
      • LAN Ecuador (Guayaquil)
        LOT Polish Airlines (Kraków, Rzeszów, Warsaw)
        LTU International (Düsseldorf)
        MAXjet (London-Stansted)
        Mexicana (Mexico City)
        Miami Air International [charter flights]
        North American Airlines (Accra, Georgetown, Lagos)
        Northwest Airlines (Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul)
        Pakistan International Airlines (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore)
        Royal Jordanian (Amman)
        Singapore Airlines (Frankfurt, Singapore)
        South African Airways (Dakar, Johannesburg)
        Sun Country Airlines (Minneapolis/St. Paul)
        TACA (Guatemala City, Guayaquil, Quito, San Pedro Sula, San Salvador)
        
        
        
        • Lacsa (San José (CR))
          TAM Linhas Aéreas (São Paulo-Guarulhos)
          Thai Airways International (Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi)
          Travelspan operated by Xtra Airways (Georgetown, Port of Spain)
          Uzbekistan Airways (Riga, Tashkent)
          Virgin America (Los Angeles [begins August 29], San Francisco)
          Virgin Atlantic Airways (London-Heathrow)
          Zoom Airlines (Bermuda, London-Gatwick) Terminal 4
          Terminal 5 was the old Trans World Airlines terminal. It is currently being renovated for use by JetBlue Airways.
          
          Terminal 5
          
          JetBlue Airways (Aguadilla, Aruba, Austin, Bermuda, Boston, Buffalo, Burbank, Burlington (VT), Cancún [departures], Charlotte, Chicago-O'Hare, Columbus, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Houston-Hobby, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Long Beach, Nantucket [seasonal], Nashville, Nassau, New Orleans, Oakland, Ontario, Orlando, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Ponce, Portland (ME), Portland (OR), Raleigh/Durham, Richmond, Rochester (NY), Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose (CA), Santiago (DR) [departures], Santo Domingo [departures], Sarasota/Bradenton, Seattle/Tacoma, Syracuse, Tampa, Tucson, Washington-Dulles, West Palm Beach) Terminal 6
          
          Air Canada (Calgary, Vancouver)
          All Nippon Airways (Tokyo-Narita)
          British Airways (London-Heathrow, Manchester (UK))
          Cathay Pacific (Hong Kong, Vancouver)
          Iberia Airlines (Madrid)
          Icelandair (Reykjavík-Keflavík)
          Qantas (Sydney)
          United Airlines (Los Angeles, San Francisco)
          
          
          
          • United Express operated by Shuttle America (Washington-Dulles)
            US Airways
            
            
            
            • US Airways operated by America West Airlines (Las Vegas, Phoenix)
              US Airways Express operated by Mesa Airlines (Charlotte) Terminal 7
              
              American Airlines (Bermuda, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, San Juan (PR), San Diego, Santiago (DR), Seattle/Tacoma) Terminal 8
              
              American Airlines (Aruba, Barbados, Brussels, Buenos Aires-Ezeiza, Cancún, Caracas, Chicago-O'Hare, Kingston [seasonal], Las Vegas [begins September 5], London-Heathrow, London-Stansted [begins October 28], Los Angeles, Los Cabos, Montego Bay, Orlando [begins December 13], Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Port-au-Prince, Providenciales, Punta Cana, Puerto Plata [seasonal], Rio de Janeiro-Galeão, Rome-Fiumicino, St. Kitts [begins November 18], St. Lucia [begins November 15], St. Maarten, St. Thomas, San Diego, San Francisco, Santiago (DR), São Paulo-Guarulhos, Santo Domingo, Tokyo-Narita, Zürich)
              
              
              
              • American Eagle (Boston, Baltimore/Washington, Chicago-O'Hare, Cleveland, Halifax, Montréal, Raleigh/Durham, St. Louis, Toronto-Pearson, Washington-Reagan)
                Finnair (Helsinki)
                Malév Hungarian Airlines (Budapest) Terminal 9
                
                Air Algerie (Algiers) [begins by the end of 2007]
                Jet Airways (Bangalore, Brussels) [begins November 15]
                Sol Dominicana Airlines (La Romana) [begins November 2007]
                Virgin America (Los Angeles) [begins August 29] New Airlines and Destinations
                US Helicopter operates regularly scheduled flights every hour between Terminal 3 and the Downtown Manhattan Heliport. Passengers travelling by helicopter pass through a security checkpoint at the heliport, not at JFK. The flights last 8 minutes and cost $159 each way. On May 14, 2007, US Helicopter moved its operations from Terminal 9 to Terminal 3.
                
                Accidents
                
                Sabena Flight 548 (1961), outbound from JFK, crashed while trying to land in Brussels, Belgium
                Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 (1972), outbound from JFK, crashed while trying to land in Miami, Florida
                Pan Am Flight 1736 (1977), originated from JFK, collided with another 747 at Tenerife
                Korean Air Flight 007 (1983), originated from JFK, shot down off the coast of Sakhalin
                Pan Am Flight 103 (1988), bound for JFK, with continued service to Detroit, exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland
                TWA Flight 800 (1996), outbound from JFK, exploded soon after takeoff, and crashed off the coast of Long Island and Islip
                Swissair Flight 111 (1998), outbound from JFK, crashed off the coast of Nova Scotia
                EgyptAir Flight 990 (1999), outbound from JFK, crashed off the coast of Nantucket
                Air France Flight 4590 (2000), a Concorde bound for JFK, crashed in Gonesse, France
                Four arrested in plot to bomb infrastructure at JFK International Airport, New York City
                Four arrested in plot to bomb infrastructure at JFK International
                JFK airport terminal evacuated due to suspicious package
                Korean Air Flight 85 (2001), bound for JFK on September 11, was escorted by fighter jets to Whitehorse International Airport during Operation Yellow Ribbon on fears it may have been hijacked. This wasn't the case; the plane was low on fuel, and according to a public affairs official at the airport, there was also a communication problem with the air crew. When the plane landed, witnesses reported that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police ordered the crew out at gunpoint. The entire incident was a misunderstanding caused by a malfunctioning transponder.
                On June 2, 2007, federal authorities announced that four people had been arrested in connection with an alleged terror plot to attack the JFK Airport. FBI officials say the men, one of whom was a former air cargo employee at the airport, planned to blow up terminal buildings and jet fuel infrastructure.. JFK Airport in popular culture
                
                LaGuardia Airport
                Newark Liberty International Airport
                Transportation in New York City
                Busiest airports in the United States by international passenger traffic
                Thin-shell structure