Latest news with #AirTrain
Forbes
24-06-2025
- Forbes
JFK AirTrain Fare Slashed In Half For Summer Travelers
Starting in late June, the JFK AirTrain will offer a 50% discount on its fares in an effort to entice new passengers and reduce traffic congestion in New York City. Getty Images There has been mixed reporting about the summer travel season. Some destinations say it's going to be a bust, while others say it's going to be busy. In some reports, experts say that airline fares will be cheaper than usual. In others, different experts insist that airline fares will be higher than normal. In this way, travel media and its reporting can be confusing, if not contradictory. But, one thing is for sure for New Yorkers: Regardless of what happens to airline fares, getting to the airport will be cheaper this summer—half the price, in fact. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey recently announced that the fare on the AirTrain will decrease 50% this summer, from $8.50 to $4.25 per ride. The new, half-price fare will be available from both the Jamaica and Howard Beach Stations from June 30 through September 1st. The reason for the discount is to combat growing traffic issues in and around New York City. According to reports, the Port Authority is hoping that the reduced fare might entice more New Yorkers (and visitors) to take the AirTrain to and from JFK instead of driving or using a rideshare. Many New Yorkers forgo taking the AirTrain because they see it as inconvenient, and also not exactly cheap. For example, since the AirTrain doesn't go directly to JFK from Manhattan or Long Island, people must first take the subway or Long Island Rail Road and then transfer to the AirTrain. This can take time and patience, especially in rush hour, with luggage in tow. It can also turn out to cost more than you might expect. The first subway or LIRR segment can cost between $2.90 and $5.00, with the AirTrain then costing an additional $8.50. It's not hard to imagine scenarios where a family of four or a group of friends could justify sharing an Uber when they would have to pay $10-$14 each for a multiple-train journey dragging their luggage behind them. Will It Work? Will saving $4.50 move the needle? It depends on your situation and the number of people in your party, of course. Perhaps those who live closer to the AirTrain hubs will be more likely to take advantage. Ultimately, whether or not the temporary fare decrease will be enough to convert and capture new users for the AirTrain and noticeably reduce New York City traffic remains to be seen. But, those who already planned on using the AirTrain to get to and from JFK will surely take the discount.
New York Post
23-06-2025
- New York Post
AirTrain fares are getting a huge cut this summer to battle horrible traffic and travel woes
Travelers going in and out of New York City will get a summer treat. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is slashing AirTrain fares to John F. Kennedy International Airport by 50% in an attempt to reduce summer traffic congestion. Fares will drop from $8.50 to $4.25 starting June 30 and will last through Labor Day, Sept. 1. Advertisement AirTrain fares to JFK Airport will be cut by half to tackle summer traffic congestion. Markus Mainka – The half-price fare applies at both the Jamaica and Howard Beach Stations, and commuters can pay via OMNY or MetroCard. Some travelers view the AirTrain as an inconvenient way for them to get to JFK with their luggage, but the reduced fare might make them reconsider — especially as traffic from summer travel picks up. Advertisement For the second consecutive year, the Port Authority forecasts that summer passenger volume at JFK will set a new record with 18.3 million expected travelers. Port Authority Chairman Kevin O'Toole also warned of the 'busy summer construction period' at JFK. The airport is in the midst of a $19 billion renovation — the largest airport redevelopment project in the U.S., according to The Points Guy. The half-price fare applies at both the Jamaica and Howard Beach Stations. AFP via Getty Images Advertisement The renovation, which is approaching the peak of its construction and roadway work, includes Terminals 1, 4, 6 and 8. 'We are once again asking travelers to leave their cars at home and take public transit to the airport. The discounted AirTrain fare is one of a multitude of steps we're taking to move passengers to and from JFK as quickly and reliably as possible,' O'Toole said. 'Yes, there will be some temporary inconvenience. But it's all part of building an airport our region can be proud of — for decades to come.' Advertisement Those who choose to drive are being urged to arrive three hours early and to reserve parking in advance due to limited space. Additionally, those using services like Uber or Lyft will need to meet their drivers at a remote pick-up lot to 'avoid gridlock.' Free shuttles will run to the relocated lots.
Daily Mail
19-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Major US airport warns of summer travel chaos
Published: | Airport officials are hoping travelers leave their car keys at home. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey — the agency that oversees airports and bridges around the city — is urging flyers to take the train if they're heading to JFK. 'We are once again asking travelers to leave their cars at home and take public transit to the airport,' Kevin O'Toole, the agency's chairman, said. 'Yes, there will be some temporary inconvenience. But it's all part of building an airport our region can be proud of — for decades to come.' JFK, New York's busiest airport, is in the middle of a $19 billion overhaul that will stretch through the summer . Port Authority says the project is about to hit a 'peak.' At the same time, the agency is also expecting record-setting crowds during popular travel months. To ease congestion, they're incentivizing passengers to opt for transit. Suitcase-toting passengers will pay half the normal fare — just $4.25 instead of $8.50 — on the airport's AirTrain this summer. Passengers can catch the monorail train from stops along the Long Island Rail Road and New York's Subway. Flight fears As JFK prepares for a record number of summertime passengers, the rest of the US expects fewer flights. Multiple airlines have announced that they're cutting back domestic flight schedules after seeing a massive slowdown in ticket sales. On Wednesday, JetBlue announced it was slashing dozens of flights from its US forecast as a cost-saving move. Southwest Airlines and United also made similar announcements . The schedule slashings come as America's aviation industry has been tarred by a series of front-page stories, making consumers question safety in the skies. Newark International Airport experienced a series of temporary outages affecting air traffic controllers. Airlines have reported terrifying near-misses . Multiple planes have crashed this year . At the same time, American consumers are cutting their retail spending after battling years of inflation . The toxic mix of decreased flight confidence and lower consumer spending has made airline executives increasingly somber. Heading into 2025, United, Delta, and American all believed they were on pace for record-setting years. Now, nearly every airline is just trying to turn a profit.
Daily Mail
19-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
America's sixth busiest airport warns of summer travel chaos that could ruin your vacation
Airport officials are hoping travelers leave their car keys at home. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey — the agency that oversees airports and bridges around the city — is urging flyers to take the train if they're heading to JFK. 'We are once again asking travelers to leave their cars at home and take public transit to the airport,' Kevin O'Toole, the agency's chairman, said. 'Yes, there will be some temporary inconvenience. But it's all part of building an airport our region can be proud of — for decades to come.' JFK, New York's busiest airport, is in the middle of a $19 billion overhaul that will stretch through the summer. Port Authority says the project is about to hit a 'peak.' At the same time, the agency is also expecting record-setting crowds during popular travel months. To ease congestion, they're incentivizing passengers to opt for transit. Suitcase-toting passengers will pay half the normal fare — just $4.25 instead of $8.50 — on the airport's AirTrain this summer. Passengers can catch the monorail train from stops along the Long Island Rail Road and New York's Subway. Meanwhile, drivers who brave the construction might run into a problem once they reach the airport: the agency said parking during construction will be 'extremely limited.' 'We apologize for any inconvenience, but we promise that a new JFK is just around the corner, with the first new gates opening next year,' Rick Cotton, the agency's top boss, said. The construction will bring two brand-new terminals, modernize two existing concourses, and rework the surrounding highway system by 2030. Port Authority is scheduling construction in phases to ensure the hard hats don't interfere with the record-setting crowds. The next phase, the completion of terminal one, will likely finish in 2026. For passengers, the rebuild is long overdue. JFK has struggled with aging terminals, outdated technology, slow service, and a string of delays. Flight fears As JFK prepares for a record number of summertime passengers, the rest of the US expects fewer flights. Multiple airlines have announced that they're cutting back domestic flight schedules after seeing a massive slowdown in ticket sales. On Wednesday, JetBlue announced it was slashing dozens of flights from its US forecast as a cost-saving move. Southwest Airlines and United also made similar announcements. The schedule slashings come as America's aviation industry has been tarred by a series of front-page stories, making consumers question safety in the skies. Newark International Airport experienced a series of temporary outages affecting air traffic controllers. Airlines have reported terrifying near-misses. Multiple planes have crashed this year. At the same time, American consumers are cutting their retail spending after battling years of inflation. The toxic mix of decreased flight confidence and lower consumer spending has made airline executives increasingly somber. Heading into 2025, United, Delta, and American all believed they were on pace for record-setting years. Now, nearly every airline is just trying to turn a profit.
Time Out
18-06-2025
- Time Out
The AirTrain to JFK will be joyfully 50% cheaper all summer long
If there's one thing New Yorkers love more than complaining about the AirTrain, it's a good deal. This summer, they'll get both. Starting June 30 and running through Labor Day, the fare for the JFK AirTrain will be slashed in half—from $8.50 to a far more palatable $4.25—as part of the Port Authority's attempt to keep travelers off the gridlocked airport roadways and firmly on the rails. The timing isn't coincidental. JFK is bracing for a record-smashing summer with 18.3 million passengers expected to shuffle through its terminals, while the airport simultaneously undergoes the most ambitious (read: disruptive) construction project in its history. The $19 billion redevelopment includes expansions to Terminals 4 and 8, construction of the new Terminal 1 and Terminal 6, and a total overhaul of the airport's notoriously confusing road network. 'We are once again asking travelers to leave their cars at home and take public transit to the airport,' said Kevin O'Toole, chairman of the Port Authority, in a statement that sounds a little like pleading and a lot like solid advice. The half-price fare applies to both the Jamaica and Howard Beach AirTrain stations, which are easily accessible via subway (A/E/J/Z) or the Long Island Rail Road from Grand Central, Penn Station or Atlantic Terminal. For drivers who still insist on braving the congestion, the Port Authority recommends drop-offs at the Lefferts Boulevard AirTrain station, where a free eight-minute ride will take travelers to their terminal. Parking is limited, so either book in advance, or risk being That Person crying in the overflow lot. And if you're relying on a ride-share to Terminal 4, 5 or 7, prepare to hoof it: Uber and Lyft pickups have been relocated to off-site lots to help ease terminal frontage chaos. Free shuttles will run, but airport officials still recommend leaving an extra hour—or three. The summer's travel forecast is crowded with a 100% chance of construction dust. But at least now, getting to JFK won't cost quite as much as your carry-on.
