JFK Airport's Top 10 Unserved Long-Haul Routes

Data shows JFK has a significant portion of the country's long-haul flights, with over 85 destinations this year alone, including recent additions like Bari, Catania, Bucharest, Naples, Palermo, and Porto. However, some high-demand routes remain unserved.

<img src="https://static1.simpleflyingimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/american-airlines-boeing-777-200-er-cropped-1.jpg" alt="American Airlines Boeing 777">

This analysis focuses on JFK's top 10 unserved long-haul routes based on roundtrip passenger traffic, all of which were indirect flights via a connecting hub. Interestingly, many Asian cities topped the list, surpassing several European markets.

The largest unserved market is JFK to Dhaka, with a staggering 164,600 roundtrip passengers (approximately 451 daily). However, this route faces challenges due to Bangladesh not yet meeting US Federal Aviation Administration's Category 1 safety standards.

Many of these unserved routes share a common issue: a relative lack of premium traffic, mostly consisting of VFR (Visiting Friends and Relatives) and leisure travel. This translates to lower yields, making these long, costly routes less financially viable for airlines.

<img src="https://static1.simpleflyingimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/shanghai-airlines-casablanca-1.jpg" alt="Shanghai Airlines Casablanca">

Other factors affecting these routes include traffic rights and the seasonal nature of demand. For example, Budapest, a city previously served by four carriers, could potentially thrive in the summer months, but the limited number of potential operators remains a challenge.

It's important to note that this analysis only includes JFK traffic data, excluding Newark, which would alter the overall picture for the Greater New York City area. Data leakage to other nearby airports, like Frankfurt and Amsterdam, could also shift the rankings.

<img src="https://static1.simpleflyingimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/brussels-airlines-rackham-livery.jpg" alt="Brussels Airlines Rackham Livery"><img src="https://static1.simpleflyingimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/lot-polish-airlines-boeing-787-at-poznan-poland.jpeg" alt="LOT Polish Airlines Boeing 787">

Will Budapest Return?

Despite a relatively high average one-way fare of $714 (including fuel surcharge), the lower fare compared to similar routes, and the limited number of operators, the prospect of a direct JFK-Budapest route remains uncertain, highlighting the complex factors influencing route viability.