Howard Beach–JFK Airport station

Howard Beach–JFK Airport station

Company type	Transit station complex
Industry	Public transportation
Founded	1913
Headquarters	Queens, New York City , United States
Products	Subway service, AirTrain JFK service

The Howard Beach–JFK Airport station is a combined subway and people mover facility situated at Coleman Square, nestled between 159th Avenue and 103rd Street in Howard Beach, Queens. The New York City Subway portion lies along the IND Rockaway Line, consistently served by the Rockaway branch of the A train. Additionally, the Rockaway Park Shuttle operates here on summer weekends. The AirTrain JFK segment provides continuous service via the Howard Beach branch.

Initially established as a Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) stop on the Rockaway Beach Branch, the station commenced operations in 1913, taking over from the nearby Ramblersville station. LIRR service ceased in 1950, and two years later, in 1952, the New York City Transit Authority acquired this stretch. The subway station officially opened on June 28, 1956. Between 2000 and 2003, the entire station underwent a comprehensive reconstruction, which included adding the AirTrain JFK facility. This enhanced transit hub began operation on December 17, 2003, offering a direct rail link from Howard Beach to JFK Airport.

History

The station was inaugurated in April 1913 as part of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) network, replacing the older Ramblersville station, which had been built in 1899 and was located to the south. In 1923, protective sheds were installed on both sides of the tracks. On May 8, 1950, a fire destroyed the trestle spanning Jamaica Bay, interrupting service between Hamilton Beach and the Rockaways. Due to bankruptcy, LIRR chose not to reconstruct the trestle, leading to the sale of this line segment to the New York City Transit Authority in 1952.

On June 27, 1955, Howard Beach station along with other stations on the Rockaway Beach Branch south of Ozone Park closed for an eight-month period to undergo renovations for subway integration. The station was entirely rebuilt with a contemporary design by architect J. Harold Sandifer, incorporating a new overhead walkway and prefabricated components to accelerate construction. It reopened as part of the subway system on June 28, 1956; at that time, the original LIRR structure was demolished. Opening ceremonies took place simultaneously at Howard Beach and at Euclid Avenue in Brooklyn.

In June 1978, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) introduced an "experimental" premium express service linking Manhattan to JFK Airport via Howard Beach station. The JFK Express began operating on September 23, 1978, running express through Manhattan and Brooklyn directly to Howard Beach–JFK Airport. Although initially popular with daily ridership reaching up to 6,000 passengers, demand decreased as improvements to the regular A train made it a more appealing option despite its slower speed. Due to declining usage—approximately 3,200 riders daily—the JFK Express was discontinued on April 15, 1990. Following this cessation, a free shuttle bus maintained connection between Howard Beach and JFK Airport until the AirTrain JFK commenced operations.

During the early 2000s, a $50 million renovation transformed the station to accommodate integration with the newly constructed AirTrain JFK. This project was designed by STV Group and funded by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. It entailed demolishing existing platforms and constructing new ones alongside a mezzanine level. Temporary platforms facilitated single-track off-peak service throughout construction. The AirTrain structure was finished in 2001 and officially opened on December 17, 2003, replacing shuttle bus service. Between 2003 and 2007, roughly four million passengers transferred between subway and AirTrain services at this location. Notably, AirTrain's track gauge and elevation align with those of the subway system, allowing for potential future subway extensions over its infrastructure.

Following severe damage caused by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Howard Beach functioned as the southern terminal for A trains while repairs were underway along the IND Rockaway Line further south. Full service restoration to the Rockaways occurred on May 30, 2013. Planned maintenance beginning January 2025 will again truncate southbound A trains at Howard Beach–JFK Airport for approximately four months.

Station layout

AirTrain platform	Track 2	→   Howard Beach Train heading to Terminal 8 (Lefferts Boulevard) →
	Island platform equipped with platform doors Disabled access
	Track 1	→   Howard Beach Train heading to Terminal 8 (Lefferts Boulevard) →
	Mezzanine	Fare control area, pedestrian overpass, connection point between subway and AirTrain
Subway platforms	Side platform Disabled access
	Northbound local	← Template:Rint toward ()
	Northbound express	→ No scheduled service
	Southbound express	→ Trackbed only
	Southbound local	→ Template:Rint toward or () →
	Side platform Disabled access

The subway stop is served continuously by the A train and is situated between Broad Channel station to the south and Aqueduct–North Conduit Avenue station to the north. On summer weekends, the Rockaway Park Shuttle extends service four stops beyond Broad Channel, reaching Rockaway Boulevard station, which also serves this location. The AirTrain facility marks the endpoint of the Howard Beach line; the subsequent station eastward is Lefferts Boulevard.

Positioned above the subway platforms, the mezzanine occupies a contemporary, climate-controlled structure enclosed in glass, approximately across, prominently displaying large stainless steel "Howard Beach JFK" signage. This area includes a token booth and three groups of turnstiles, enabling seamless transfers among the subway, AirTrain JFK, and unpaid zones.

New York City Subway platforms

This ground-level New York City Subway station comprises two side platforms flanking four tracks, with the two central express tracks currently not utilized for passenger service. The southbound express track has been permanently dismantled, while the northbound express track remains inactive in routine operations. Just south of the station, a series of switches and crossovers interconnect all four tracks before the outer tracks converge with the inner ones. From there, the dual-track line spans Jamaica Bay en route to Broad Channel, situated roughly south—marking the system's longest distance between adjacent stations. Heading northward from the station, the line rises on an embankment to traverse over Belt Parkway and Conduit Avenue.

Both platforms feature concrete windscreens at their extremities and steel canopy structures beneath the central station house. The platforms are staggered: the southbound platform stretches slightly northward, while the northbound platform extends further to the south. Each platform connects to the station building via stairways and escalators, supplemented by two elevators per platform, along with two additional elevators providing access from the station building down to street level.

On the Rockaway-bound side, there are two High Entry/Exit Turnstiles and one exit-only turnstile granting access to 159th Road and 103rd Street. The Brooklyn-bound platform includes emergency doors leading to an adjacent parking area; these doors are typically secured but were opened from December 2012 through May 2013 to facilitate a temporary shuttle bus service following Hurricane Sandy.

Prior to its renovation in the 2000s, this station’s architectural style closely mirrored that of Broad Channel, embodying mid-20th-century transit design principles.

AirTrain JFK platform

The AirTrain JFK facility consists of two tracks served by a single island platform located on the upper level. The eastern terminus connects directly to Parking Area C. In contrast to the subway platforms, AirTrain’s platforms are fully enclosed with platform screen doors, enabling climate control and enhanced passenger safety. Train positioning is monitored by sensors to support automated train operations without onboard drivers.

The platform length measures approximately . The subsequent stop heading southeast is Lefferts Boulevard. Operated by the Port Authority, AirTrain employs a separate fare control system distinct from the subway, with no complimentary transfers between these services. Fare collection occurs exclusively at this station and at Jamaica. MetroCard vending machines are installed on both sides of fare control for passenger convenience.

Exits

The exit serving the Howard Beach community is situated on the west side and features a spiraling staircase alongside two elevators descending to the east side of 103rd Street/Coleman Square at 159th Avenue. On the station’s east side, a pedestrian bridge provides direct access to the AirTrain JFK station. From the southbound platform, two High Entry-Exit Turnstiles and one exit-only turnstile lead out toward Coleman Square. The northbound platform’s exit is designated as exit-only, with two emergency gates offering entry to the Howard Beach–JFK Airport parking lot.

External links

• IND Rockaway Line – Howard Beach
• Announcement at Howard Beach AirTrain station
• Google Maps Street View of the entrance
• Platforms as seen on Google Maps Street View
• AirTrain JFK platform viewed through Google Maps Street View