New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) are the two busiest airports in the New York area. Both are classified as large hubs and handle millions of passengers each year, making them among the busiest in the United States. While JFK is known for its large number of international flights, Newark has a stronger focus on domestic connections.
Size and Passenger Count
JFK Airport covers 5,200 acres of land, making it considerably larger than Newark’s 2,027 acres. In terms of yearly passenger count, JFK handles over 31 million travelers, while Newark serves over 24 million passengers annually. However, despite this difference in overall passenger numbers, the total number of flight movements at both airports is closer.
Flight Numbers
According to aviation analytics company Cirium’s data from June 2024 to June 2025, JFK had 216,702 scheduled departures, while Newark had 187,726 departures. This makes JFK the clear winner with over 15% more flights, averaging around 593 departures per day. In comparison, Newark had an average of 514 daily departures.
International Traffic
JFK is the country’s busiest airport for international services, with flights from over 70 airlines, including Air China, Air India, and Emirates. On the other hand, Newark has a strong domestic network, with flights to India, Japan, Korea, and Singapore, among others. JFK also has a higher yearly seat capacity, with 38,315,367 seats compared to Newark’s 28,800,333.
Ranking in the US
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) remains the busiest airport in the US, followed by Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). JFK Airport ranks sixth, while Newark comes in at 14th. However, both airports have a larger presence in terms of international traffic, with JFK being the number one international airport in the country and Newark ranking fifth.
Busiest Airlines at JFK and Newark
At JFK, Delta Air Lines and JetBlue dominate operations, accounting for over 61% of flights. United Airlines, on the other hand, operates almost 70% of flights at Newark, followed by Spirit Airlines and Delta. Air Canada and Alaska Airlines also have a significant presence at Newark.
Development Plans
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which manages both airports, is investing in modernization and expansion projects. JFK is set to undergo a $19 billion transformation, including the construction of a new Terminal 1, which is estimated to cost $9. 5 billion. Newark, on the other hand, has its own redevelopment plan, which includes modernizing its passenger terminals and expanding runways and taxiways.
Could Newark Overtake JFK?
While JFK is expected to remain the dominant airport in the New York area, there is potential for Newark to grow in the future.