New York City Airport Information
Combined, the three major commercial airlines in the New York metropolitan area – John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International – see about 104 million passengers annually. The New York airports are the largest system in the United States and the 2nd largest in the world after London, United Kingdom.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
JFK International is one of the busiest airports in the world and the top air travel gateway into the United States. Opened in 1947 in Queens, New York, roughly 15 miles from midtown Manhattan, the airport occupies 4,930 acres and serves over 48 million passengers annually on one of its over 80 airlines, including JetBlue, for which it is the base of operations. JFK International serves both domestic and international flights, with the top international destinations being London, Paris, Santiago, Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic and Frankfurt. In fact, the airport has the largest percentage of overseas travelers in the country.
JFK International is currently undergoing a $10.3 billion redevelopment program, with recent projects including three new terminals, upgrades to various other terminals, and the AirTrain light rail network, all completed in 2003. Due for completion in 2008, the new JetBlue 26-gate terminal will open behind the TWA Flight Center. A new 1,500-space parking garage is also set to open adjacent to the terminal.
Currently, JFK International consists of four runways and eight passenger terminals connected by AirTrain. Sure to be an enjoyable experience for travelers, the airport ranked number 2 in overall traveler satisfaction in 2006 by a J.D. Power and Associates and Aviation Week survey. To pass the time, guests can grab a drink at the Brooklyn Beer Garden or Napa Valley Wine Bar, pick up a magazine at Hudson News, or grab a bite to eat at Café Ritazza, just a few among the many bars, eateries and shops lining the terminal halls. Spas, ATMs, currency exchanges and floral shops are also readily available.
Travel to and from the airport is easily accomplished through the airport's AirTrain system, which has stops at car rental and parking lots, terminals, hotel shuttle locations, two subway stations and the Long Island Rail Road. AirTrain is free inside the airport grounds and costs $5 to reach the subway stations beyond the airport. Several bus lines also make stops at the airport, and long-term and daily public parking are available, including 1,940 spaces in its newest parking garage opened in November 2006.
Airline carriers serving John F. Kennedy International Airport
- Aer Lingus
- Aeroflot
- Aerolineas Argentinas
- Aero Mexico
- AeroSvit Ukrainian Airlines
- Air Canada
- Air China
- Air France
- Air India
- Air Jamaica
- Air Tahiti Nui
- AirPlus Comet
- Alitalia
- Allegro
- American
- American Eagle
- ANA (All Nippon)
- Asiana
- Austrian Airlines
- Avianca
- British Airways
- Brussels Airlines
- Caribbean
- Cathay Pacific
- Cayman Airways
- China Airlines
- China Eastern
- Comair
- Constellation
- Continental
- Continental Express
- Corsair
- Copa Airlines
- Czech Airlines
- Delta
- Delta Connection
- Egyptair
- El Al
- Emirates
- EOS
- Etihad
- Eurofly
- Finnair
- flyglobespan
- Iberia
- Icelandair
- Israir
- Japan Airlines
- Jet Airways
- JetBlue
- KLM
- Korean Air
- Kuwait Airways
- Lacsa
- Lan Chile
- Lan Ecuador
- Lan Peru
- L'Avion
- LOT
- LTU
- Lufthansa
- Malev Hungarian
- Mexicana
- North American
- Northwest
- Olympic
- OpenSkies
- Pakistan International Airlines
- Qantas
- Royal Air Maroc
- Royal Jordanian
- Saudi Arabian Airlines
- Singapore Airlines
- South African Airways
- Sun Country
- Swiss International Air Lines
- TACA International
- TAM
- Travel Span
- Turkish
- United Airlines
- US Airways
- US Helicopter
- Uzbekistan
- Virgin America
- Virgin Atlantic
- Zoom Airlines
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
Opened to commercial traffic in 1939, La Guardia Airport sits roughly eight miles from midtown Manhattan. Though the smallest of the New York area's commercial airports, La Guardia's proximity to the city makes it a popular choice compared to its larger, more distant counterparts of JFK International and Newark Liberty International. Over 25 million passengers choose LaGuardia's service to destinations in the United States, Canada, Aruba
Aruba, the Bahamas and Bermuda.
Originally built at a cost of $23 million to the city of New York, LaGuardia Airport's 680 acres house 72 gates, four terminals and two runways. Various retail shops and eateries, including Fig's Restaurant, New York Sports Bar and Au Bon Pain, are available for travelers at the airport's $36 million, six-block-long Central Terminal Building. LaGuardia also boasts the first airline lounge created, the LaGuardia Admirals Club.
LaGuardia has 7,500 public parking spaces in metered spaces and daily and long-term parking lots. It is also serviced by New York City Transit and various shuttle services.
Airline carriers serving LaGuardia Airport
- Air Canada
- Air Tran Airways
- American Airlines
- American Eagle
- Colgan
- Comair
- Continental
- Continental Express
- Delta
- Delta Connection
- Delta Shuttle
- Frontier Airlines
- jetBlue Airways
- Midwest
- Northwest
- Spirit
- United
- United Express
- US Airways
- US Airways Express
- US Airways Shuttle
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Opened in 1928, Newark Liberty International Airport was the first of the three major New York area airports to offer its services to the public. The 2,027-acre facility is located 15 miles southwest of midtown Manhattan within Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey. As the 2nd largest hub for Continental Airlines, Newark Liberty International saw 36.3 million passengers in 2007 and ranks as the 10th busiest airport in the country.
Dedicated by Amelia Earhart at its opening in 1935, the airport today has three runways, one helipad and three passenger terminals. In 2003, Terminal C finished renovations that included the addition of a third concourse, international arrivals facility and 3,400-space parking garage. Terminal B is now undergoing updates, which include expanding ticket areas and building a new departure level for domestic flights.
Travelers find several comforts at Newark Liberty International, including fast food and casual dining, retail outlets, currency exchanges and even a massage bar. Daily, short-term, economy long-term and valet parking is available, and the AirTrain train network offers service to and from the airport from the NJ Transit and Amtrak transit lines. A Marriott hotel is on the airport property, reachable by shuttle vans stopping at all terminals.
Airline carriers serving Newark Liberty International Airport
- Air Canada
- Air France
- Air India
- Air Plus Comet
- Air Tran Airways
- Alaska Airlines
- Alitalia
- American
- American Eagle
- British Airways
- Chautauqua
- Comair
- Continental
- Continental Express
- Delta
- Delta Express
- El Al
- EVA Airways
- Express Jet - Continental
- Jet Airways
- Jet Blue
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
- L'Avion
- Lot Polish
- Lufthansa
- Malaysia
- Midwest
- Northwest
- Porter Airlines
- Qantas
- SAS
- Singapore Airlines
- Swiss
- TAP Portugal
- United
- United Express
- US Airways
- US Airways Express
- Virgin Atlantic
New York City Train Information
Grand Central Terminal
Located on 42nd Street and Park Avenue, the famed Grand Central Terminal was opened in 1913 at a time when train travel was the most luxurious way to get around. Still a Manhattan landmark, the station is serviced by bus and subway lines and Metro-North Commuter Railroad, which offers travel to suburbs in New York, Connecticut and New Jersey.
The station is also a popular attraction, offering 20 international eateries and 50 specialty shops for either train travelers or city visitors to enjoy. The New York Transit Museum also has an annex at Grand Central, and various tours are available for guests interested in learning about the history of the terminal and its surrounding neighborhood.
Pennsylvania Station
Pennsylvania Station, more commonly known as Penn Station, was the largest building constructed for train travel. Though it was replaced in 1962 by today's more modern facility, Penn Station still serves as a key point of connection for thousands of passengers each day. The station services bus and subway lines; New Jersey Transit, a commuter line traveling to New Jersey; and Port Authority Trans Hudson, or PATH, which serves Manhattan and New Jersey.
Amtrak also runs in and out of Penn Station with 14 lines: Acela Express, Adirondack, Cardinal/Hoosier State, Carolinian/Piedmont, Crescent, Empire Service, Ethan Allen Express, Keystone, Lake Shore Limited, Maple Leaf, Northeast Regional, Pennsylvanian, Silver Service/Palmetto, and Vermonter. Routes offer service from numerous cities along the East Coast, Midwest and Canada.
New York City Public Transportation
Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) oversees the New York state's public transportation, including the bus and subway systems servicing New York City. The MTA's bus and subway are frequently used by both locals and visitors, as their convenient and affordable lines are often the quickest way to get around town. Established in 1953, the New York City Transit Police Department works specifically to ensure the safety of travelers using these methods of transport.
Both the bus and the subway accept MetroCards, which offer reduced fares for multiple rides. The one-day Fun Pass is $7.50 and the seven-day pass is $25. Travelers who pay with a MetroCard have free transfers from subway to bus, bus to subway or bus to bus within two hours of fare purchase.
Buses
New York City's five boroughs are serviced by 4,500 air conditioned buses, whose frequent stops generally mean visitors need not walk more than a few blocks to get a ride. Several museums, sports stadiums, parks, theaters and the airport are among the various places the bus lines service. Regular fare is $2 and express fare is $5. Exact fare is required.
Subway
Owned by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the New York City Subway is one of the most extensive public transportation systems in the world. Comprised of 660 miles of track and 468 passenger stations, the subway is used by over 49 million people every weekday. Its 26 lines travel among Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx, ensuring that a stop is made at or nearby just about any location of interest.
Many efforts have been made to beautify the subway system and make the experience more comfortable for rides. The Arts for Transit program has helped to install sculptures, mosaics and murals at stations, and many are decorated with the intricate ceramic tile work that first adorned the stations upon opening in 1904. The Music Under New York program solicits street musicians to compete for a chance to perform at one of the high traffic subway locations.
The New York City subway operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Fare is $2 per ride, regardless of distance traveled or transfers made.
Staten Island Ferry
The Staten Island Ferry is the main mode of transportation between the island and Manhattan. The 25-minute, 5.2-mile ride, which passes Governor's Island and the Statue of Liberty, carries over 19 million passengers each year.
The Staten Island Ferry runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Ferries run weekdays about every 15 minutes during rush hours, every 30 minutes during mid-day and evening, and every hour during early morning. Ferries run weekends every 30 or 60 minutes depending on time of day. Fare is free. Parking is available at Staten Island's St. George Ferry terminal, and bus and subway lines service the Manhattan terminal.
Rental Cars
Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz and National all service the three airports in New York City. Car rental counters or service phones are located at each terminal's arrivals level, and company lots can be accessed by the AirTrain.
Taxis
New York City taxis, regulated by the Taxi and Limousine Commission, can be hailed on the street or at taxi stands found at most hotels and transportation hubs. Only the signature yellow medallion cabs are allowed to pick up passengers without prearrangement. Travelers can spot available taxis by a lit white rooftop number.
Fare is $2.50 for the first third of a mile and $0.40 for each additional fifth of a mile. Surcharges of $0.40 per second when the taxi is not moving, $0.50 between 8 PM and 6 AM and $1 weekdays between 4 and 8 PM are also applicable.
Distance to...
- 80 miles
- 96 miles
- 117 miles
- 147 miles
- 215 miles
- 228 miles
- 372 miles
