JFK vs Newark (EWR)
New York is served by three airports. JFK and Newark both handle long-haul international traffic; LaGuardia mostly handles domestic. If you're choosing between JFK and Newark for a connection or a trip into Manhattan, the decision usually comes down to which alliance you're flying and which side of the river your hotel is on.
Side-by-side
| John F. Kennedy International (JFK) | Newark Liberty International (EWR) | |
|---|---|---|
| IATA / ICAO | JFK / KJFK | EWR / KEWR |
| Operator | Port Authority of NY & NJ | Port Authority of NY & NJ |
| Annual passengers | ~62 million | ~46 million |
| Terminals | 6 active (T1, T4, T5, T7, T8, plus new T6) | 3 (A, B, C) |
| Main alliance hub | Oneworld (AA), SkyTeam (DL) | Star Alliance (UA) |
| Largest carrier | Delta | United |
| International share | ~60% of traffic | ~45% of traffic |
| Transit to Midtown Manhattan | AirTrain + LIRR: 35-50 min | AirTrain + NJ Transit: 35-45 min |
| Taxi to Midtown | $70+ and 45-75 min with traffic | $75+ and 35-60 min with traffic |
| Runways | 4 | 3 |
Which airlines go where
JFK is the New York hub for American Airlines (Terminal 8), Delta (T4), JetBlue (T5), and British Airways / Iberia / other Oneworld international carriers. Newark is United Airlines' primary East Coast hub (Terminal A/C), plus most legacy European carriers that don't fit at JFK. If you're connecting to a United flight to Asia or onwards in Europe, Newark is usually the better option. If you're flying Delta to Europe, JFK.
Getting into the city
Both airports have AirTrain connections to commuter rail (LIRR from JFK, NJ Transit from EWR). Both run $35-50 and 35-50 minutes to Midtown on public transit. A direct cab or Uber from JFK can take 90 minutes at rush hour; from Newark it's usually a bit quicker because Lincoln Tunnel traffic is the main choke point either way. Travelers staying in Midtown or Lower Manhattan have roughly equivalent access. Staying in Brooklyn or Queens makes JFK materially better. Staying in Hoboken, Jersey City, or headed to NJ suburbs, Newark wins.
Which terminals
JFK's experience varies dramatically by terminal. T4 (Delta) and T7 (British Airways, retired but being rebuilt as T6) are the most modern after recent renovations. T5 (JetBlue) was designed as the Saarinen-inspired replacement for the old TWA Flight Center. Newark's Terminal A reopened in late 2022 as a brand-new $2.7B build and is the best of the three EWR terminals; Terminal B is older and cramped; Terminal C (United's flagship) was upgraded in phases and now has the Polaris lounge which is among the best domestic lounges.
Verdict
For Oneworld / SkyTeam passengers heading east side, JFK. For Star Alliance / United passengers or anyone going west to NJ suburbs, Newark. On transit time to Midtown, they're within 5-10 minutes of each other -- the deciding factor is usually which airline you're on, not which airport is 'better.'