JFK versus PHL airport

[marguline]

I live in New Jersey and I have the option of taking a direct flight from either JFK or PHL via Air Jamaica. My only issue is which one should I choose. I have never flown before so I dont know what to expect from either airport. If this help the tickets from JFK are at least 200. 00 more then if I were to leave from PHL. Both flights arrive and depart from Jamaica at the same. I am just wondering if anyone has ever had an experiance with these airports and has a prefrence over the other.

[beachsam]

I live in NJ also, I would go for PHL, much easier than JFK and the parking is much better. Where are you coming from in Nj? I live at the Jersey Shore so the ride to either is the same amount of time. Go to Phl! If you have any questions just ask.

[fawnridge]

As someone who travels internationally on a regular basis, I avoid JFK at all costs. Regardless of price, go with PHL.

[BobandJudy]

I am not a big JFK fan - even though they've done a lot of renovations, the airport has older facilities and is very congested. Philadelphia airport has a beautiful new International Terminal - it is so much nicer than the rest of the airport! Customs in Philadelphia is also quicker than JFK, since they don't have as many international flights scheduled as JFK.

[me]

I flew PHL once and it was not as bad as people make it out to be. We actually left early and on the way back we landed on time. However we did sit on the tarmac because a plane went to the wrong terminal and had to be moved. We book AJ for next June and will be flying out of PHL again at 6am. There are a few topics brought up recently about PHL. For $200.00 I could sit around for a little bit if need be. Also how much more gas will you use going to JFK and parking.

[mrs2cool]

Where in NJ do you live? We live in Hackettstown and have flown out of JFK since Air Jamaica stopped flying out of Newark 4-5 years?).Love the early AM nonstop flight.Philly would be an hour longer drive for us, which at mignight is not a fun ride home. For a $200.oo savings I might try it.We use the park and fly to arrive the night before and get to the airport for the early flight.
http://buyreservations.com/
For me it's worth the money for the free parking and piece of mind knowing I'll make my flight.

[Jamerinadians]

I grew up on Long Island and lived most of my adult life in New York. I can't think of any reason to pay $200 extra to fly out of JFK. Go from PHL.

[Febe]

I have flown to Montego Bay out of both airports and I would choose Philadelphia hands down. It is so much easier to get to compared to JFK and it is much cheaper to self park there, if you will be driving yourself to the airport as we do.

[columbo]

We do Kennedy all the time even though we live 20 minutes from Newark. The reason being Kennedy is direct on American and Newark is always crazy connections. To answer your question one has to know which airport is closer to you? Are you using a car service round trip that could add to the cost of either one depending on their distance from you. Kennedy has never been an issue for us as we always leave on early AM flights and never hit traffic, coming home who cares we dont want to be back here any way!!!!!

[pynk322]

Go from Philly. Two hundred less is significant. We drive from Syracuse to fly direct on USAirways out of Philly. Philly can have trouble with connections due to delays but if it is a direct flight there are no worries. I was told by someone in the know that JFK has "ground traffic" issues and is the most congested airport for that. We've haven't had issues with immigrations in Philly and last year our flight actually left Philly early. Good luck.

[melody]

What about the cost of driving and parking? I would go with the cheaper one probably. If one is a lot closer to your house that would be nice too. I am not a morning person so any extra time I can use for sleep prior to leaving would be good. A long drive home after a nice vacation isn't that fun either unless you stay the night and drive home the next day.

[marguline]

Oh I'm sorry I forgot to mention that I live in northern jersey essex county to be exact, I calculated the time and philadelphia airport is about two hours away from us but it seems from everyones comments PHL seems like the way to go.

[Jamon]

Fly out of Philly, we have 27 + flights and only once did we encounter a 45 minute delay on the tarmac and the 6 am flight is really great. Last trip security didn't open up until 4:30 am and even with that we had no problem. We are in Jersey also and we have one of my kids or friends drive us, it works out great, or you can go to one of the car dealers and they drive your car there and when you arrive call them and they pick you up in your car, cost around $8 a day.