Airports in New York

John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is one of the busiest airports in the United States. It is also the first taste of New York City that most passengers get when flying to the United States. The airport is located in Queens and is 12 miles (20km) from Manhattan, where most tourist attractions are located.

JFK Airport is well stocked with every type of amenity a passenger could ask for. There are loads of shops, restaurants and bars at the airport, as well as hotels, parking and public transport facilities. However, busy airports often forget the finer details and JFK is no exception. Passengers may find it less than user-friendly at times, mostly due to its large size, and the enormous volume of passengers filing through on domestic and international flights (more than 46 million each year).

With eight terminals, flights to John F Kennedy International Airport are easy to come by on most major airlines. Passengers booking flights with American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue and Evergreen International Airlines should find it easy to get a flight to JFK Airport as all these airlines use the airport as a regional hub.

John F Kennedy International Airport is not only a gateway to the Big Apple – for many, it is a gateway to the United States. Although big, the airport is well equipped to deal with loads of passengers and using JFK should not be a daunting experience.

LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is situated in the borough of Queens, 8 miles (13km) east of Manhattan. It is New York’s primary domestic airport, and is the smallest of the city’s main commercial airports, despite the fact that more than 24 million passengers make their way through it each year.

According to a customer satisfaction survey by JD Power and Associates, LGA is ranked last out of 66 US airports. It’s also ranked last out of 31 airports for on-time arrivals. The customs and immigration facilities often come under fire from frustrated travelers arriving on international flights to LaGuardia Airport – so be prepared to queue at peak times, especially after midday.

Despite its downfalls, LaGuardia is a fairly popular airport due to its close proximity to Manhattan. Although not lavishly designed or decorated, the airport is clean and pleasant enough while the staff are generally friendly and helpful. The Port Authority is exploring development options, the result of which may actually lead to the demolition and rebuilding of LGA in an attempt to create a more efficient, smooth-running airport.

Situated within the city limits of both Newark and Elizabeth in New Jersey, USA, Newark Liberty International is approximately 15 miles (24 km) south-west of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Having handled just over 33 million passengers in 2010, it is the United States’ tenth-busiest aerial hub.

Newark Liberty International comprises three passenger terminals: Terminal C consists of two ticketing levels, while Terminals A and B have four levels. Ticket counters are on the top floor, gates and shops are on the third floor, an international arrivals lounge (Terminal B) and baggage carousels are on the second floor, and short term parking areas make up the ground floor. Each terminal features three concourses.

With clean amenities and a decent array of dining and shopping venues, quick check-in and security facilities and numerous transport options to and from the airport, Newark Liberty International is, in spite of its relatively small size, an efficient airport worthy of being the country’s fifth-busiest international air gateway.