FlightLogic

FlightLogic is an independent, advertising-supported information service that lets you compare airlines, airports, hotels, and travel products. We do not provide financial advice and we do not recommend specific products or providers. Links marked * are advertising links and may earn us commission at no extra cost to you — always read the terms of any product before booking or applying. Learn more about how we make money.

Advertiser disclosure — how this service works

FlightLogic is an independent, advertising-supported information service that lets you compare airlines, airports, hotels, and travel products. We do not provide financial advice and we do not recommend specific products or providers. Links marked * are advertising links and may earn us commission at no extra cost to you — always read the terms of any product before booking or applying. Learn more about how we make money.

Verdict

Athens International Airport (ATH) scores higher overall at 7.6/10 versus New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) at 7.2/10. New York John F. Kennedy International Airport leads on lounges at 8.4/10.

Score comparison

Metric Athens International Airport New York John F. Kennedy International Airport
FlightLogic Score 7.6 7.2
On-Time Performance 7.4 6.8
Passenger Experience 7.5 7.0
Facilities & Comfort 7.9 7.8
Lounge Score 7.8 8.4
City Athens New York
Country Greece United States
Terminals 1 terminal (main + satellite) 6 active terminals (T1, T4, T5, T7, T8 + T6 opening)
Annual passengers 28M+ 62M+

Operational comparison

Transport links, lounge access, connection times, and UK261 eligibility — verify locally before travel.

Policy ATH — Athens JFK — New
Rail / public transport
To city centre
Lounge day pass
Min. connection time
Primary hub carriers

Detailed profiles

Athens, Greece · ATH · #1 in this comparison

Athens International Airport

1 terminal (main + satellite) · 28M+ passengers/year

7.6 / 10

How good is Athens International Airport?

Athens International Airport (ATH) scores 7.6/10 (Very Good) on FlightLogic's airport index — combining on-time performance (7.4), passenger experience (7.5), and facilities (7.9). Lounge quality rates 7.8/10. See full airport guide →

In short

Athens ATH scores 7.6/10 — Greece's main hub. Metro to city ~40 min. Aegean Star Alliance gateway for island connections. See /guides/best-airlines-uk-portugal-greece-2026 and /guides/athens-airport-lounge-guide-2026.

FlightLogic Score 7.6 Very Good
On-time 7.4 Departure reliability
Experience 7.5 Staff, queues, cleanliness
Facilities 7.9 Food, shops, seating
Lounges 7.8 Lounge quality
Rating basis Editorial FlightLogic methodology

Score breakdown

Modelled on industry airport indices — on-time data, facilities ratings, and editorial experience signals combined into a single FlightLogic score.

On-Time Performance
7.4
Passenger Experience
7.5
Facilities & Comfort
7.9
Lounge score 7.8/10

Highlights

  • Primary UK gateway to Athens and mainland Greece — ferry connections to islands from Piraeus
  • Aegean Airlines hub — Star Alliance connections to Santorini, Mykonos, Crete (domestic)
  • Metro Line 3 to Syntagma ~40 min — reliable city access
  • Aegean Business Lounge and Goldair lounge — Priority Pass accepted

Overview

Greece's primary hub — Aegean/Star Alliance gateway with dense UK schedule on BA, easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, and Aegean for mainland and island connections.

Islands and UK routing

Many UK travellers fly to ATH then connect domestically to Santorini (JTR) or Crete (HER) on Aegean or Ryanair — allow 2+ hours for international-to-domestic connections.

Direct UK–island seasonal routes exist on Jet2 and TUI in summer — compare total time vs ATH connection.

New York, United States · JFK · #2 in this comparison

New York John F. Kennedy International Airport

6 active terminals (T1, T4, T5, T7, T8 + T6 opening) · 62M+ passengers/year

7.2 / 10

How good is New York John F. Kennedy International Airport?

New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) scores 7.2/10 (Very Good) on FlightLogic's airport index — combining on-time performance (6.8), passenger experience (7.0), and facilities (7.8). Lounge quality rates 8.4/10. See full airport guide →

In short

JFK (JFK) is New York's primary international airport, rated 7.2/10 on FlightLogic with lounge score 8.4/10. Terminal 4 has the deepest lounge mix (Delta, Virgin, Centurion, Priority Pass). Terminal 8 is American's flagship hub. Allow extra time — security and terminal transfers are slower than European hubs. See /guides/jfk-airport-lounge-guide-2026 for terminal-by-terminal access.

FlightLogic Score 7.2 Very Good
On-time 6.8 Departure reliability
Experience 7.0 Staff, queues, cleanliness
Facilities 7.8 Food, shops, seating
Lounges 8.4 Lounge quality
Rating basis Editorial FlightLogic methodology

Score breakdown

Modelled on industry airport indices — on-time data, facilities ratings, and editorial experience signals combined into a single FlightLogic score.

On-Time Performance
6.8
Passenger Experience
7.0
Facilities & Comfort
7.8
Lounge score 8.4/10

Highlights

  • Terminal 4 is the international hub — Delta Sky Club, Virgin Clubhouse, Amex Centurion, and Plaza Premium
  • Terminal 8 hosts American Flagship Lounge and Admirals Club for AA long-haul departures
  • No unified post-security connector — lounge access is terminal-specific; misconnects often require re-security
  • FlightLogic lounge score 8.4/10 — among the strongest US airport lounge ecosystems when you depart from the right terminal

Overview

Primary US gateway for transatlantic traffic — terminal-specific lounges, fragmented airside connections, and strong premium options in T4 and T8.

Terminal layout and lounge access

JFK is split across six terminals with no single airside link between all of them. Your lounge options depend entirely on which terminal your flight departs from — Amex Centurion in Terminal 4 is useless if you depart from Terminal 8 without a long landside transfer.

Terminal 4 serves Delta, Virgin Atlantic, and many SkyTeam and international carriers. Terminal 8 is American Airlines' home. JetBlue Mint Lounge in Terminal 5 is among the best domestic US airline lounges. British Airways still uses Terminal 7 on select departures.

UK traveller notes

Most UK–JFK routes arrive into T4 (Virgin, Delta, BA on some flights) or T8 (BA, AA). For connections onward within the US, verify whether your itinerary stays airside or requires baggage reclaim and re-check — many JFK connections are not protected through a single terminal.

Global Entry and Mobile Passport can shorten immigration; TSA PreCheck helps on domestic connections. Pair with /guides/jfk-airport-lounge-guide-2026 and Heathrow guides for round-trip transatlantic planning.

FAQ

Which is better, Athens International Airport or New York John F. Kennedy International Airport?

Athens International Airport (ATH) scores higher overall at 7.6/10 versus New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) at 7.2/10. New York John F. Kennedy International Airport leads on lounges at 8.4/10.

Which has better lounges, ATH or JFK?

New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) scores higher for lounges at 8.4/10, versus Athens International Airport at 7.8/10.

Which airport is more on-time, ATH or JFK?

Athens International Airport (ATH) has stronger on-time performance at 7.4/10 versus New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) at 6.8/10.