FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS arriving in the United States from Europe, Central and South America, New York’s airports are often the first introduction to the country. Even passengers on domestic flights frequently arrive at LaGuardia Airport as their gateway to the city.
Alongside smaller facilities such as Stewart International Airport and Teterboro Airport, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey operates the three major airports serving the New York City area. Together, John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International airports handled more than 132 million passengers in 2017. In recent years, nearly 57 percent of the travelers passing through JFK and EWR were bound for international destinations. John F. Kennedy International Airport remains the region’s primary international hub, serving more international passengers annually than any other U.S. airport.
LaGuardia and JFK sit on opposite sides of Queens, and although all three major airports are managed by the same authority, each serves distinct roles and passenger groups.
JFK is the busiest U.S. airport for international travel. For example, British Airways—one of the largest carriers operating at JFK—served more than 1.3 million passengers in the year leading up to January 2019. Newark Liberty follows closely for international traffic, with carriers such as Air Canada, SAS and Lufthansa playing significant roles in its international operations. LaGuardia, meanwhile, caters primarily to domestic travelers and is dominated by Delta Air Lines.
The differences become even clearer when comparing facilities: Newark has three terminals, LaGuardia has four, and JFK is the largest with six terminals—each configured to meet different airline and passenger needs.
Access to the airports is generally straightforward. Both Newark and JFK connect to regional transit systems via the AirTrain networks. At JFK, the AirTrain links to Jamaica Station; riders pay a $5 MetroCard fee to access the system and reach any of JFK’s six terminals. Newark also offers AirTrain service to the Newark Liberty International Airport Station, providing rail connections to and from the airport complex.
Serving millions of passengers each year, New York’s airports operate as a coordinated system split across multiple sites. All provide convenient access to the city, yet each fills a specific niche—international gateways, domestic hubs, and regional connections—reflecting the scale and complexity of travel in the region. To meet the needs of a diverse traveler base, the airports continue to expand and diversify services, offering everything from shoe-shining and dining options to currency exchange and ground transportation choices for both leisure and business travelers.