Find KJFK ATC frequencies for ATIS, Clearance, Ground, Tower, Departure and Approach, with chart checks and simulator troubleshooting.
At KJFK, the core voice frequencies are ATIS 128.725, Clearance Delivery 135.050, Ground 121.650/121.900, Tower 119.100/123.900 and New York Departure 135.900 MHz. Approach is sector-dependent; 125.700 and 127.400 are commonly used. Follow the active chart and every ATC hand-off, because New York frequencies vary with traffic flow and sector.
For Aviation & Real-World Flying, remember that ATC is an umbrella term, not a separate radio frequency. It covers Clearance Delivery, Ground, Tower and the New York Approach and Departure sectors serving JFK.
Which KJFK frequencies should you use?
Use the assigned frequency whenever a controller gives you one; otherwise, start with the appropriate published frequency below.
| Service | Frequency (MHz) | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| ATIS | 128.725 | Recorded weather, runway and airport information |
| Clearance Delivery | 135.050 | IFR clearance before taxi |
| Ground | 121.650, 121.900 | Pushback, taxi and movement-area instructions |
| Tower | 119.100, 123.900 | Runway crossings, take-off and landing clearances |
| New York Departure | 135.900 | Common initial departure frequency; ATC may assign another sector |
| New York Approach | 125.700, 127.400 | Common JFK arrival-sector frequencies; other sector frequencies may be assigned |
This is a practical operating list, not an exhaustive list of every New York TRACON sector. Frequencies can be amended or allocated differently, so verify them against our KJFK chart-and-frequency reference and the effective chart cycle being used.
Why does JFK have two Ground and Tower frequencies?
KJFK splits Ground and Tower duties between controller positions so one frequency does not carry the entire airport’s radio traffic. The active position depends on the runway configuration, your location and how ATC has divided or combined its sectors.
Do not pick a Tower or Ground frequency solely because it appears first in a database. Use the frequency printed for the applicable procedure, shown by the simulator, or issued during the hand-off. Our explanation of the sequence of Ground, Tower and Departure calls covers when each change normally occurs.
Which frequency should you tune in a flight simulator?
The correct KJFK frequency depends on the ATC system and navigation data your simulator is actually using.
- Real-world procedure practice: use the current airport diagram, departure or approach chart and accept every controller hand-off.
- Built-in simulator ATC: use the frequency offered in the ATC interface if it conflicts with a newer real-world chart. Older scenery or navigation data may contain an outdated assignment.
- Online ATC: use the staffed controller’s published or assigned frequency; an unstaffed real-world sector may be handled by another controller.
Microsoft Flight Simulator, FSX, Prepar3D and X-Plane can display different entries when their airport or navigation databases come from different cycles. See our steps for finding and tuning airport frequencies in a simulator when the expected service is missing.
Why does a KJFK frequency not work?
Most failures come from radio configuration, database differences or confusing an ATC voice channel with an instrument landing frequency.
- Check active and standby: placing
119.100in standby does nothing until it is swapped to the active side. - Check the selected radio: confirm that the microphone or transmit selector is using COM1 or COM2 as intended.
- Allow for display formatting:
121.65and121.650identify the same frequency. - Use the correct receiver: ATC frequencies belong in a COM radio. An ILS localiser belongs in the NAV receiver; consult the runway-specific JFK ILS data rather than entering an Approach voice frequency as the localiser.
- Check the ATC sequence: some built-in systems will not answer Departure or Approach until the flight reaches the expected stage or ATC offers that contact.