John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is an international airport located in Queens, New York City, New York. It is the primary international airport serving New York City and the busiest international air passenger gateway into North America. JFK airport was named after the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963.
The airport covers an area of 4,930 acres and has six passenger terminals, with a seventh currently under construction. JFK airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, handling over 62 million passengers annually. It is also a hub for several major airlines, including Delta Air Lines and American Airlines.
JFK airport is known for its unique architecture, with the TWA Flight Center being one of the most iconic. Designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen in 1962, the TWA Flight Center served as the main terminal for Trans World Airlines until 2001. Today, it is a landmark of mid-century modernist architecture and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The airport has been featured in several movies and television shows, including the popular TV series, “Pan Am” and the movies “Catch Me If You Can” and “Die Hard 2”.
JFK Airport
Do you want to know more about JFK Airport? Here are 37 interesting facts about John F. Kennedy International Airport.
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is located in the borough of Queens in New York City, and is one of the busiest airports in the United States.
- The airport was originally named Idlewild Airport when it opened in 1948, and was renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport in 1963, following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
- JFK Airport covers an area of 4,930 acres (1,993 hectares), making it one of the largest airports in the world.
- The airport has six passenger terminals, numbered 1 through 8 (there is no Terminal 6). Terminals 1 through 5 are operated by individual airlines, while Terminals 7 and 8 are operated by British Airways and American Airlines, respectively.
- The airport has more than 150 gates, and serves more than 90 airlines, with flights to over 150 destinations around the world.
- JFK Airport is a major hub for Delta Air Lines, and is also served by other major carriers such as American Airlines, United Airlines, and JetBlue.
- The airport has four runways, the longest of which is 14,511 feet (4,423 meters) long.
- JFK Airport has its own post office, police department, fire department, and medical center, making it a self-contained community.
- The airport has a number of art installations throughout its terminals, including works by Alexander Calder, Marc Chagall, and Joan Miró.
- JFK Airport was the site of the infamous Pan Am Flight 103 bombing in 1988, which killed all 259 people on board the plane and 11 people on the ground.
- The airport was closed for two days following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001, and was one of the primary points of departure for the planes hijacked by terrorists.
- JFK Airport has its own animal handling facility, which is used for the transportation of live animals such as horses and cattle.
- The airport has a number of parking options, including short-term and long-term parking, as well as valet parking and reserved parking.
- JFK Airport has a duty-free shopping area, which includes a wide range of luxury goods and souvenirs.
- The airport has a number of restaurants and food outlets, serving a variety of cuisine from around the world.
- JFK Airport has its own air cargo facility, which is one of the busiest in the world, handling more than 1.3 million tons of cargo each year.
- The airport has its own power plant, which is capable of producing enough electricity to power a city of 40,000 people.
- JFK Airport has its own fuel farm, which can hold up to 8 million gallons of aviation fuel.
- The airport has its own air traffic control tower, which is one of the tallest in the world, standing at 321 feet (98 meters) tall.
- JFK Airport has a number of lounges for travelers, including the Delta Sky Club, the American Airlines Admirals Club, and the United Club.
- The airport has a number of hotels located on or near its grounds, including the TWA Hotel, which is housed in the former TWA Flight Center.
- JFK Airport has its own helicopter terminal, which is used for the transportation of VIPs and other passengers.
- The airport has a number of transportation options for travelers, including taxis, rental cars, and public transportation.
- JFK Airport has a number of art and cultural exhibits throughout its terminals, including exhibits on jazz music and the history of aviation.
- JFK Airport has its own post office, zip code 11430, which is used exclusively for mail addressed to the airport.
- JFK Airport is home to one of the largest airport-based hotels in the world, the TWA Hotel, which is located in the former TWA Flight Center.
- The airport was the site of one of the most infamous airplane hijackings in history, when in 1970, Palestinian terrorists hijacked a Swissair flight and blew it up on the tarmac.
- JFK Airport is a hub for Delta Air Lines, which operates over 200 departures per day from the airport.
- JFK Airport is also a hub for JetBlue Airways, which has a state-of-the-art terminal at the airport with over 50 gates.
- The airport is the busiest international air passenger gateway to the United States, handling more international traffic than any other airport in the country.
- JFK Airport is home to a variety of art installations, including a 14-foot-tall statue of John F. Kennedy by Neil Estern, a mural by Marc Chagall, and a giant mobile by Alexander Calder.
- The airport has a partnership with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s Sustainable Aviation Fuels initiative, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the aviation industry.
- The airport has a chapel that is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for travelers of all faiths.
- JFK Airport has its own fire department, which is responsible for responding to fires and emergencies on airport property.
- The airport is home to a variety of shops and restaurants, including high-end designer stores like Hermes and Gucci, as well as fast-food chains like McDonald’s and Starbucks.
- JFK Airport has its own power plant, which generates electricity for the airport and the surrounding community.
- The airport has an Animal Relief Area, where pets and service animals can take a break and stretch their legs during long layovers.
JFK Airport, named after the 35th President of the United States, is a major international gateway for travelers to New York City and beyond. With its rich history and numerous accomplishments, JFK has become an icon of the aviation industry and an important hub for global travel.
From its humble beginnings as a small airfield to its current status as a sprawling complex with six terminals, JFK has witnessed many important moments in aviation history. Today, the airport continues to expand and modernize, with ongoing efforts to improve passenger experience and enhance airport security.
Whether you are arriving, departing, or simply passing through, JFK Airport offers a unique glimpse into the fascinating world of air travel. With its diverse array of services, facilities, and attractions, the airport provides an exciting and engaging experience for travelers of all ages and backgrounds. From world-class dining and shopping to engaging art installations and cultural exhibits, JFK Airport truly has something for everyone.
