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If you're a frequent traveler to New York City, you might already be familiar with the differences between John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA). Both located in Queens, these airports serve distinct purposes and offer varied experiences for travelers.
JFK spans 5,200 acres and features four long runways, making it suitable for large international flights. It's a major hub for transatlantic traffic and second only to Miami for Caribbean and Latin American routes. "Data from Cirium, an aviation analytics company, shows that 60% of all flights from JFK (and 47% of all seats) are to US destinations," highlighting its role in domestic travel as well.
Conversely, LGA covers just 840 acres with two short runways. It's designed as a commuter airport with a perimeter rule limiting flights to within 1,500 miles, except on Saturdays or to Denver. "More than 90% of LGA traffic originates from airports east of the Mississippi," and there are no scheduled widebody flights at LGA.
