JFK Airport

Location
JFK is tucked away on Jamaica Bay in the boroughs of Queens, just east of the city. Covering close to 5,000 acres, the airport is widely accessible by almost all forms of transportation. Rail, car, bus, and helicopter provide passengers numerous options coming in and leaving JFK, and downtown Manhattan is located 15 miles away.

History
In the spring of 1942, the Idlewild Golf Course became the future construction site for Idlewild Airport. Initially, the airport was built to accommodate the overflow of LaGuardia Airport, but by the time construction was finished, Idlewild Airport was close to five times of initial size. Commercial flights launched in 1948, and upon opening, the Port Authority cancelled all international airline’s permits for use in LaGuardia, and routed them to Idlewild. The airport was renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport in 1963 to commemorate the nation’s late president. Today, more than $30 billion in economic activity is contributed to the communities of New York and New Jersey because of the airport, and employs 35,000 people. The Port Authority makes it their priority to give back to the community, and operate responsible and respectful airports. One way they do this is by soundproofing schools located around JFK to ensure uninterrupted learning.