John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), located in New York City, serves as a primary international gateway to the United States. It is one of the busiest airports in North America, connecting the New York metropolitan area to destinations across the globe and handling a significant volume of the nation's air cargo. Originally known as New York International Airport, or Idlewild Airport, it officially opened in 1948.
- Ongoing Redevelopment and Modern Terminals: There are positive mentions of some terminals, particularly parts of Terminal 5, being modern, clean, and well-maintained. Significant redevelopment is underway, with new Terminal 1 and Terminal 6 aiming to be world-class facilities by 2030.
- TWA Hotel: The TWA Hotel is frequently highlighted as a unique and enjoyable amenity adjacent to Terminal 5.
- JetBlue's BlueHouse Lounge: Terminal 5 now features JetBlue's BlueHouse lounge, which aims to provide a more premium pre-flight experience.
- Off-site Parking Services: Many dedicated off-site parking providers near JFK, such as Purchase Park 2 Fly and JFK Long Term Parking Inc., receive high praise for efficient shuttle services, courteous staff, and competitive pricing, making parking a smoother experience for many.
- Business Traveller Awards: Notably, JFK International Airport was named the "best airport in North America" for two consecutive years (2024 and 2025) by Business Traveller's annual survey.
- Excessive Security and Immigration Wait Times: This is a predominant complaint, with travelers frequently reporting long, unorganized queues and slow processing at both TSA security and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Wait times at immigration can extend to two or three hours, especially for non-US citizens, and are often described as an "international embarrassment". Staff are often perceived as rude or condescending.
- Inconsistent Terminal Facilities and Cleanliness: The quality of terminals varies widely, with several, including parts of Terminal 8 and Terminal 4, receiving criticism for limited food and dining options, a lack of lounges, visible trash, and dirty surfaces. Signage and wayfinding are also cited as issues.
- Mishandled Luggage: A 2025 study ranked JFK as the second-worst airport in the US for lost, delayed, or damaged luggage, indicating a significant problem for many travelers.
- Poor Staff Attitude: Frequent mentions of rude, unhelpful, or unorganized airport, TSA, and CBP staff contribute to a negative overall experience.
- Transportation and Parking Challenges: While some off-site parking is praised, the temporary taxi situation at Terminal 4 arrivals has been described as chaotic, and general traffic congestion around the airport makes pick-up and drop-off challenging. On-site parking can also be full or have unpleasant odors.
Bottom line: Traveler sentiment at JFK Airport is largely characterized by frustration due to long waits, disorganization, and inconsistent service quality, particularly within older terminals and at key choke points like security and immigration. While ongoing modernization efforts and specific amenities like the TWA Hotel are positive, many recent experiences suggest that the airport frequently struggles with efficiency and passenger comfort.
New & changed departures
13 changes to JFK's schedule in the last 90 days.
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Track all changesRoutes from JFK
253 nonstop destinations · 137 airlines.
Showing the top 200 destinations by frequency.
Airlines at JFK
137 carriers operate scheduled departures.
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Airport routes
John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) offers 557 flight routes operated by 137 airlines. Major carriers include JetBlue, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and others. Popular destinations from New York include Los Angeles Intl, El Salvador Int'l, Leonardo da Vinci Int'l (Fiumicino Int'l), Jose Joaquin de Olmedo Int'l, London Heathrow.
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Common questions about JFK
Quick answers, straight from the schedule data.
How many destinations have nonstop flights from JFK?
John F Kennedy International Airport has 557 scheduled routes to 253 destinations in 86 countries, operated by 137 airlines.
Which airlines fly from John F Kennedy International Airport?
137 carriers operate scheduled departures, including JetBlue, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines.
Where is John F Kennedy International Airport located?
John F Kennedy International Airport is located in New York, US, at an elevation of 13 ft. Its IATA code is JFK and ICAO code is KJFK.