John F Kennedy International (KJFK), New York
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
John F Kennedy International (KJFK) is a Class 1 tower-controlled airport serving the New York metro area, sitting roughly 8.6 nautical miles from the metro center. The airport recorded 456,548 total annual operations in 2025 according to FAA TFMSC data, with 8,047 of those attributed to business aviation. Four concrete and asphalt runways, the longest reaching 14,511 feet, support a traffic mix dominated by large commercial and cargo movements alongside general aviation activity.
Runways
John F Kennedy International has four paved runways. The longest, 13R/31L, is 14,511 ft long and 200 ft wide, with a concrete surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
John F Kennedy International has Jet A and 100LL available on the field. Fueling is available 24 hours a day, every day, and the airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
John F Kennedy International has US Customs and Border Protection clearance available onsite, with general clearance for international arrivals. A USDA compliance agreement is in place.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
John F Kennedy International recorded 8,047 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in May. Business aviation traffic at KJFK concentrates most heavily in May and September, with those two months well above the other ten in 2025 FAA TFMSC figures.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month May, 960 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
John F Kennedy International averages 5.0 days above 90°F in July, 21.7 freeze days in January and 2.1 snow days in February. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 83.6°F, and January the coldest, at 39.5°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
John F Kennedy International has published operating constraints in seven categories: access, runway notes, emergency arresting systems, noise procedures, environmental, pavement strength and other notes.
The runway 13L runway lighting system uses a 1,000-foot light station of the approach lighting system only, in conjunction with CRI VOR approaches, and is angled toward Aqueduct. It also has 5 sequenced flashing lights from 1,200 to 2,000 feet, plus a grouping of 5 sequenced flashing lights approximately 1 mile from the runway forming the approach. The approach gate is angled 35 degrees south of the runway 13L centerline, designed to provide earlier identification of the runway environment.
Runway 13R has two PAPI/P4L systems. The offset PAPI supports the VOR or GPS runway 13R approach and the Parkway visual runway 13R approach.
Taxiway NB is closed to southbound turns at taxiway A.
Periodic fire department training occurs adjacent to the approach ends of runways 22L and 22R.
The taxiway K runup pad is closed to aircraft with a wingspan of more than 140 feet.
Caution: runway 13R can be confused with runway 13L.
The runway 13L PAPI is rotated 10 degrees right of the runway centerline, and it is unusable to the left of the runway centerline.
Runway 13R's first P4L has a horizontal offset of 22 degrees left. Runway 13R has a second P4L with a transitional threshold crossing height and a 3.00 degree VGSI angle.
The runway 22L PAPI has a horizontal offset of 4 degrees to the left.
The runway 22R PAPI is unusable beyond 8 degrees right of the centerline.
The approach ratio is 50:1 to the displaced threshold.
Converging operations on runways 13R and 22L are conducted via an arrival distance window.
The runway 31R holding position markings at runway 4L/22R are obscured on the southeast side.
The runway 13L holding position markings at runway 4L/22R are obscured on the northwest side.
An obstruction building light is out of service 6.3 nautical miles east-southeast of JFK, at 222 feet MSL (220 feet AGL).
Runway status lights are in operation.
The runway 31R 1,000-foot distance-remaining sign is missing.
A parked aircraft obstruction (ASN 2020-AEA-1302-NRA) is located at 40°39'33"N 073°47'49"W, 1.4 nautical miles northwest of JFK, at 74 feet (64 feet AGL), unserviceable from 1200 to 0100 daily.
Taxiway Z between runway 04L/22R and taxiway Y is closed until further notice.
A non-standard Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS), 393 feet in length by 226 feet in width, is located at the departure end of runway 4R.
A non-standard Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS), 405 feet in length by 226 feet in width, is located at the departure end of runway 22L.
A non-standard Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS), 393 feet in length by 226 feet in width, is located at the departure end of runway 4R.
A non-standard Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS), 405 feet in length by 226 feet in width, is located at the departure end of runway 22L.
Noise abatement restrictions are in effect.
Flocks of birds are present on and in the vicinity of the airport.
PCR VALUE: 1260/R/B/W/T
PCR VALUE: 1260/F/B/X/T
General aviation: non-based charter and non-based commercial aircraft operators must make fuel arrangements prior to arrival, or contact UNICOM on 122.95.
Para-sail and banner towing operations occur at 1,000 feet and below in upper and lower New York Bays, including Rockaway Inlet, indefinitely.
Special air traffic rules apply under Part 93 as a High Density Traffic Airport. Prior reservation is required; see the Aeronautical Information Manual.
Metering procedures are in effect. Contact ramp control prior to pushback from 1200Z to 1500Z daily and from 1900Z to 0300Z daily.
Aircraft operations and taxiway restrictions exist for the A380, B747-800, B777-300ER, A340-600, and A350-1000. Contact JFK Airport Operations for more information.
The GAT helipad has non-standard markings and lighting.
On taxiway A between taxiways NA and NB, aircraft speed is restricted to a maximum of 17 knots/20 mph for the A380, B747-800, B747-400, B777-300ER, B777-200, A340, A330, B787, and A350.
Until further notice, taxiway D between taxiway C and Hangar 7 is closed.
Continuous taxiway maintenance activities are ongoing at numerous locations.
A high volume of low-level VFR traffic, at 500 feet and below, operates along the shoreline south of JFK.
Aircraft are not permitted to stop on either the taxiway A or taxiway B bridges.
Non-standard markings are present in the general aviation apron; contact the FBO on UNICOM or for wing walkers.
A380 and B747-800 aircraft taxi speed is restricted to a maximum of 17 knots/20 mph on all taxiways.
Taxiway VA is closed between the Terminal 7 apron and taxiway A.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
John F Kennedy International has five airfields within 22 NM. The closest is LaGuardia (KLGA), 9.29 NM northwest.
Part of the New York area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KJFK
We arrange catering, fuel and trip support here. Supplier prices reach you unchanged; our coordination fee sits on its own line.
The same order, priced two ways.
$2,400.00 catering order at KJFK.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
It does not move with the size of the order.
At cost.
Passed on at the exact amount the processor took.
Market practice figures are industry averages, not a specific competitor.
Frequently asked questions
What is the runway configuration at KJFK?
John F Kennedy International operates four paved concrete and asphalt runways. Runway 13R/31L is the longest at 14,511 feet, with a width of 200 feet. Runway 04L/22R measures 12,079 feet, runway 13L/31R measures 10,000 feet, and runway 04R/22L measures 8,400 feet on an asphalt surface. All four runways share the same 200-foot width. This layout supports the large-scale widebody and cargo operations that make up JFK's traffic mix.
Does KJFK have EMAS arresting systems?
John F Kennedy International has two Engineered Materials Arresting System installations. One EMAS bed sits at the departure end of runway 4R, measuring 393 feet in length by 226 feet in width. The other is located at the departure end of runway 22L, measuring 405 feet in length by 226 feet in width. These non-standard arresting systems are designed to stop an aircraft that overruns the runway end. Both are documented at KJFK as fixed infrastructure rather than temporary equipment.
Are there taxi speed restrictions for large aircraft at JFK airport?
JFK airport enforces a taxi speed restriction of 17 knots (20 mph) maximum for A380 and B747-800 aircraft across all taxiways. A separate restriction applies specifically to taxiway A between taxiways NA and NB, covering the same maximum speed for a wider list of large types including B747-400, B777-300ER, B777-200, A340, A330, B787, and A350. These limits reflect the wingspan and jet-blast considerations tied to widebody movements at this airport. Dispatchers planning operations with these aircraft types should account for the added taxi time these restrictions create.
What customs and fuel arrangements apply at KJFK?
John F Kennedy International has CBP inspection services available onsite along with a USDA compliance agreement, and the airport is towered with attendance around the clock. Both 100LL and Jet A fuel are available on the field. Non-based charter and non-based commercial aircraft operators must make fuel arrangements prior to arrival, or contact UNICOM on 122.95. This advance-arrangement requirement is a specific operational detail for transient operators rather than a general fueling restriction. Based operators are not subject to the same prior-arrangement condition.
Why does KJFK require prior reservations under Part 93 rules?
John F Kennedy International is designated a High Density Traffic Airport under Part 93 special air traffic rules. Under this designation, prior reservation is required for operations, a rule detailed further in the Aeronautical Information Manual. This slot-based system exists alongside metering procedures that require contacting ramp control before pushback during defined periods each day. Together these rules manage arrival and departure sequencing at one of the busiest traffic tiers in the FAA dataset. Operators should factor this reservation requirement into flight planning well ahead of scheduled movement.