How we know: Sources are listed at the end. Airport and route facts come from the cited references. Live fares are on the linked route pages; this post does not quote fares because the cheaper airport changes by route and date.
New York has two global gateways and one airport that is effectively domestic. The short version: JFK has the widest international network and the low-cost transatlantic carrier; Newark is United's hub with its own low-cost options and is often more convenient from New Jersey and the West Side; LaGuardia is for Canada and pre-cleared Caribbean points only.
JFK: the widest network
JFK served about 62.6 million passengers in 2025 and has nonstop flights to every permanently inhabited continent (John F. Kennedy International Airport). It is Delta's transatlantic hub (Terminal 4), American's (Terminal 8, shared with British Airways and Iberia), JetBlue's base (Terminal 5), and home to most foreign carriers in Terminals 1 and 7 while the new Terminal 6 is built out. Norse Atlantic bases its US operation at JFK, flying 787s to London Gatwick and other European cities with unbundled fares (Norse Atlantic Airways). See JFK to London, JFK to Paris and JFK to Tokyo.
Getting there: AirTrain JFK links every terminal to the subway and Long Island Rail Road at Jamaica and Howard Beach (John F. Kennedy International Airport). LIRR from Penn Station or Grand Central to Jamaica plus AirTrain is the fastest transit option from Manhattan; taxis from Manhattan are a flat fare plus tolls.
Newark: United's hub, plus low-cost long-haul
Newark handled 49.1 million passengers in its record year of 2023, and United carries well over half of them; Terminal C is United's, Terminal B handles most foreign carriers and international arrivals, and Terminal A is largely domestic (Newark Liberty International Airport). United's network from Newark covers Europe, Asia, India, the Middle East, Africa and South America. On the low-cost side, French Bee flies Newark–Paris Orly and La Compagnie runs an all-business-class Newark–Orly service (Orly Airport). See Newark to London and Newark to Paris.
Getting there: AirTrain Newark connects the terminals to the Newark Liberty rail station, served by NJ Transit and Amtrak with direct trains to New York Penn Station (Newark Liberty International Airport). From Midtown West or anywhere in New Jersey, Newark is usually the quicker airport.
LaGuardia: domestic by design
LaGuardia served about 32.8 million passengers in 2025, but a 1984 perimeter rule bars flights beyond 1,500 miles (except Saturdays and Denver), and the airport has no US Customs facility, so international service is limited to airports with US preclearance: Canada and a handful of Caribbean points (LaGuardia Airport). For Europe, Asia or South America it is not an option. The rebuilt terminals are excellent; the transit is not, with no rail link and the Q70 bus to the subway as the main connection.
Which is cheaper?
Neither, consistently. Fares follow competition on the specific pair: JFK has more carriers to most European and Asian cities and the low-cost option to London; Newark has United's hub pricing and the low-cost option to Paris. Delta and American fight hardest at JFK; United's fares at Newark can be higher where it faces little competition and lower where it does. Search "NYC" (all airports) for every international trip, then check the specific route pages for the current fare and set a price alert on both airports if they are both practical for you.
How to choose
- Live in New Jersey, Midtown West, or the West Side: Newark first.
- Live in Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island or the East Side: JFK first.
- Flying United or a Star Alliance partner: Newark. Delta/Air France/KLM/Virgin or American/BA/Iberia/JAL: JFK.
- Want the cheapest London: compare Norse at JFK against everyone else at both airports, bags included.
- Want the cheapest Paris: compare French Bee at Newark against Air France, Delta, American and United at both.
- Flying to Canada or a pre-cleared Caribbean island: LaGuardia may be the most convenient.
FAQ
Is JFK or Newark better for international flights? JFK has the broader network and more competition on most routes; Newark is United's hub and often more convenient from New Jersey and the West Side. Check the specific route.
Does LaGuardia have international flights? Only to airports with US preclearance (Canada, some Caribbean); nothing to Europe, Asia or South America.
Which New York airport has the best transit from Manhattan? Newark by NJ Transit to Penn Station and JFK by LIRR plus AirTrain are both good; LaGuardia relies on buses.
Sources
- Wikipedia: John F. Kennedy International Airport (traffic, terminals, AirTrain)
- Wikipedia: Newark Liberty International Airport (traffic, United hub, terminals, AirTrain)
- Wikipedia: LaGuardia Airport (perimeter rule, preclearance-only international service)
- Wikipedia: Orly Airport (French Bee and La Compagnie Newark service)
- Wikipedia: Norse Atlantic Airways (JFK base)