The incidents occurred Wednesday between 9 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., the FAA said in a statement Thursday.
The lasers, which can distract or temporarily blind pilots, hit the left and right sides of the cockpits, along with the sides of the planes.
"It can cause injury and blindness - temporary blindness - at the most critical time of the approach," said aviation expert and pilot Arthur Wolk.
There were no reports of injuries, but Wolk says it's only a matter of time before a laser blinds a pilot and causes a major crash.
"You have to be perfect then. If you're blinded, you're no longer perfect, so it's a real risk," Wolk said.
The FBI now has a task force to crack down on laser pointing. It is a federal crime with stiff penalties including five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
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The planes that were hit include:
1. Porter 141, a Newark arrival, was at 3,000 feet, 15 miles southwest of Newark Liberty International Airport.
2. American Airlines 1472, a Newark arrival, was at 3,000 feet, 20 miles southwest of Newark Airport.
3. United Airlines 330, a Newark arrival, was at 3,000 feet, 20 miles southwest of Newark Airport.
4. American Airlines 966, a Newark arrival, was at 3,000 feet, four miles south of the Outerbridge Crossing.
5. Delta Air Lines 504, a Newark arrival, was at 3,000 feet, four miles south of the Outerbridge Crossing.
6. Shuttle America 3489, a Newark arrival, was at 3,000 feet, four miles south of the Outerbridge Crossing.
7. JetBlue 828, a Newark arrival, was at 3,000 feet, four miles south of the Outerbridge Crossing.
8. JetBlue 2779, a Newark arrival, was at 3000 feet, four miles south of the Outerbridge Crossing.
9. American Airlines 348, a LaGuardia arrival, was at 9,000 feet, 10 miles north of Robbinsville.
10. Republic Airlines 4643, a LaGuardia arrival, was at 9,000 feet, 10 miles north of Robbinsville.
11. GoJet 6201, a LaGuardia arrival, was at 9,000 feet, 10 miles north of Robbinsville.
12. A US Coast Guard aircraft was at 3,000 feet over Ocean City.
In addition, the FAA says there were another 23 incidents on Wednesday night throughout the country.
There have been 15 laser incidents reported at Philadelphia International Airport so far in 2015, but nothing like the flurry of incidents on Wednesday night.