Flights to New York: a comprehensive guide
New York, the beating heart of American culture, economy and innovation, attracts millions of visitors every year. Whether you are [...]
LGA
United States of America
New York, the beating heart of American culture, economy and innovation, attracts millions of visitors each year. Whether you're looking to take your iconic photo of the Statue of Liberty, stroll through the middle of the city's green lung of Central Park, or savor the vibe of the artistic avant-garde in the SoHo and Tribeca neighborhoods, starting your trip off on the right foot means first and foremost find a flight that allows you to land in this enchanting metropolis at the right price and with comfort.
In this article:
In this article, I will try to give you useful advice on the of the search for a flight to New York, from choosing an airport, airlines, to planning your activities in the city, hoping that these pointers will actually be helpful to you during your stay in Manhattan.
New York's airports: which ones and how many there are
The gateway to your New York adventure can begin at any of New York's 3 major airports:
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK);
- LaGuardia Airport (LGA);
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
Each of these airports has its own peculiarities, services, and connections to the city, so it proves quite important to know them in detail as choosing one over the other can affect aspects such as budget and personal preferences.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
JFK, located in the Queens about 16 miles southeast of Manhattan, is the largest and busiest airport, serving as New York City's main international hub. Its size and variety of flights can offer greater flexibility and potentially better deals.
Opened in 1948 as the New York-Idlewild Airport, was renamed in 1963 in honor of the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, after his assassination. Since then, JFK has continued to expand and modernize, becoming one of the world's busiest airports (The sixth in the ranking of the most used airports in the U.S.).
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
Due to its proximity to Manhattan, LaGuardia, also in Queens, is an essential hub for domestic travel, connecting New York City with numerous destinations in the United States.
Although smaller than its counterpart, John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia plays a crucial role in New York's airport system, handling heavy passenger traffic with a predominant focus on the domestic flights.
The airport was opened in 1939 and named in honor of Fiorello La Guardia, the first Italian-American mayor of New York City.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Newark, although located in New Jersey, is a popular choice for many travelers because of the easy access to Manhattan by train.
Opened in 1928, Newark is one of the oldest airports in the United States and the first to serve the New York metropolitan area. Over the years, Newark Liberty has evolved into a premier international hub, offering a wide range of domestic and international flights.
Airlines flying to New York
Which airline to choose? The best known are the local Delta, American Airlines and United, thanks to numerous flight options, including premium services that can make travel more comfortable.
But a city like New York is also served by non-American companies such as. Emirates, British Airways, ITA Airways, Lufthansa and KLM, which offer nonetheless high-end flight experiences for those arriving from Europe or other destinations.
Often these companies act in partnership with local companies, outsourcing flight operations to the latter.
Some tips for saving money
The low cost for flights in the United States is a bit of a pipe dream, yet there are still ways to save money. As is often the case, planning ahead is the key to securing the best seats at competitive fares.
The use of online tools to compare prices can help identify the best time to book; it is generally believed that 2-3 months before departure is ideal.
Being open to travel on weekdays or at less popular times can further reduce costs. A few gimmicks can also prove useful: search during weekdays rather than weekends, it will be much easier to find lower prices.
Also consider the solution "flight + hotel", cumulating accommodation with the purchase of airfare can in fact result in even significant savings.
Preparing for the flight
The flight to New York from Italy is quite long. To make the trip as pleasant as possible, consider investing in amenities such as seats with more legroom or access to the lounge of the airport for long waits.
Packing a travel kit with essential items such as headphones (usually provided by in-flight staff), chargers, books or tablets loaded with entertainment can help on a long flight.
How many hours does it take to fly from Italy to New York?
An important aspect of planning your trip to New York is to know the approximate duration of the flight. This will allow you to better prepare, arrange any transfers and plan activities for the first few days, while also taking into account the possible effects of jet lag.
Here is an estimate of flight hours from major Italian cities to New York City. These estimates are for direct flights where available:
- From Rome (Rome-Fiumicino Airport, FCO) to New York (JFK or EWR): the estimated flight time is about 9-10 hours. Direct flights are available for this route
- From Milan (Milan Malpensa Airport, MXP) to New York (JFK or EWR): direct flights from Milan to New York have a similar estimated duration.
- From Venice (Venice Marco Polo Airport, VCE) to New York (JFK): Some airlines, for example Delta, operate direct flights with a duration of about 9-10 hours.
- From Bologna (Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport, BLQ) to New York (JFK): Although less frequent, there are direct or one-stop flights connecting Bologna to New York, with durations that vary widely depending on the specific route and stopover.
Keep in mind that these are estimates and that flight times may vary depending on many factors, including unforeseen events generated by weather conditions.
Also, while direct flights offer more convenience, you may find cheaper fares by opting for flights with one or more stopovers. Try to book flights that have a minimum layover of at least 2 hours, so that you do not risk missing your connection.
Transfers from the airport to New York City
If you don't want to use cabs or ride-sharing services to get to the city, here's how you should do it:
JFK's:
The recommended and cheapest option to reach Manhattan is to combine theAirTrain JFK with the New York City subway system. The AirTrain connects all terminals at JFK airport with Howard Beach and Jamaica Station subway stations. Then there are 2 choices:
- From Howard Beach, you can take the A subway line, which runs through Brooklyn and Manhattan.
- From Jamaica Station, the E, J, and Z subway lines offer access to different parts of Manhattan. This option is convenient, but travel time may vary depending on final destination and waiting time for trains.
La Guardia's:
The most convenient choice is the NYC Airporter, a shuttle bus service that directly connects LaGuardia with important transit points in Manhattan, such as Grand Central Terminal, Port Authority Bus Terminal, and Penn Station. This service also offers free on-board Wi-Fi and luggage space.
From Newark:
The combination of AirTrain and NJ Transit is among the most convenient options. Newark's AirTrain offers a free connection between the terminals and the Newark Liberty Airport train station.
From here, you can take an NJ Transit train bound for New York's Penn Station, located in the heart of Manhattan. The total trip can take about 30 minutes from the Newark Liberty Airport train station to the Penn Station, depending on the waiting time and train service.
Visiting the attractions of New York City
With your feet finally on the ground in New York City, it's time to explore its considerable tourist offerings. Again, plan ahead to maximize your stay: consider a passes to New York attractions (e.g. the CityPASS) to access many of the major attractions at a reduced price.
The number of attractions to visit in New York is very high, and many of them charge a fee, so it is best not to underestimate this expense.
But in addition to the things to do and things to see in New York City. you will have a remarkable culinary offering: from classic American burgers through ethnic cuisine to Michelin-starred restaurants. Between attractions and culinary delights, New York will give you a unique stay.
Accommodation advice
Finally, a brief note on booking hotels. The best solution is to book a hotels in midtown Manhattan, possibly in Midtown, in the Times Square area, which is well connected to major attractions; however, this obviously affects cost. A good value-for-money hotel is the Motto Hilton Hotel.
If you want to save further, the best thing is to look in more suburban areas, perhaps in the Boroughs of the Queens or of Brooklyn. This will require you to make longer trips by subway, but it will also save more money.
