I flew through New York LaGuardia Airport for the first time since the completion of the multi-year renovation process and was so impressed at what a stunning transformation from a third world to first world facility.
Stunning New York LaGuardia Airport: From Worst To Best?
Many of you will remember what a travesty New York LGA was up until 2022. It was an embarrassment to New York City and an embarkment to the nation (even former President Trump mocked it in talking about US infrastructure).
But the new airport is nothing short of stunning.
I was in Manhattan and had plenty of time. Uber was surge pricing at $160 so I took the subway + bus for less than $4.00. From Bryant Park I took the subway to Jackson Heights.
From there, I took a free bus to LGA Terminal B. The entire process was very straightforward and I only had to wait a few minutes for the bus.
The new terminal B is sleek and modern, with a beautiful lobby with artwork, natural light, and high ceilings.
A central security checkpoint with TSA PreCheck made the security process a breeze.
Past security, a central food court offers all sorts of eating and shopping options. It was a bit of a hike to the gate area, but once again full of high windows and natural light.
The gate areas were spacious, even when crowded, and a number of trees and plants made the gate area all the more pleasant.
CONCLUSION
I know I’m late to the game with this, but as a United flyer it’s almost always Newark for me. I was very pleased by the new LGA airport and am so happy the airport is now no longer a national disgrace.
Personally, I am impressed on how they essentially built a new airport on top of an existing airport while the existing airport was still operating. That is a fete in itself.
I always find it strange that multi-millionaire travel bloggers will fly first/business class, lamenting when not able to drink krug and are forced to drink the common swill, fly the blade, stay at Park Hyatts but bulk at paying for an Uber and take the bus to LGA.
It’s a personal weakness of mine. I don’t like paying for taxis or parking.
That’s a strength, not a weakness! Countering lifestyle creep is a good thing, in my opinion.
Also if Uber was surging that high, traffic was likely awful. You probably saved time by taking the subway out of Manhattan.
So true that LGA looks great & TSA was a breeze but where oh where did the shops go . I passed through LGA last week and could barely find a NYC tshirt or a mug to buy. As corny as it may be, I always buy these on the way home. Love NYC and can’t resist! So not only did I have to walk almost a mile without a.moving walkway to get to my gate ( I don’t count the 100 ft of moving walkway) but I got severe shopping shock with the 4 tiny displays from which to choose a tshirt. Then I discovered that I had to pay at a kiosk as all cashiers are gone. No one available to inquire as to possibly finding more elsewhere. Great renovation but inconvenient schlep to my gate but it was great to have a ladies room near the gate.
How do you think they became multi-millionaires? By using miles and points as much as possible, gaming the system, and avoiding paying for things like Uber…
As Aaron said. you don’t become a millionaire paying $160 for a one way uber. Fly business using points. stay at park hyatt using points. Only go to expensive restaurants if the company is paying. Krug? just don’t drink alcohol at all.
It looks great but it is still a pain to go from one terminal to another. And don’t even get me started in having a decent public transportation from Manhattan to the airport. Older European cities can have amazing trains connecting the cities with the airports but New York is a disaster.
I disagree with many people’s assessment of LGA.
The airport has no new runways. No parallel runways. The big parking garage was torn down.
The new terminal is pleasant looking but unfriendly to those those with knee trouble or hip pain that is not severe enough for a wheelchair. The ceilings are high, which wastes heating and AC. Too many shops wastes space that could be gates.
The old terminal was fine except security was cramped.
There is no way to reconfigure LGA’s runways and taxiways without shutting the airport completely and overhauling what remains a relatively small patch of land with limited space to expand further.
The terminals are great. The retail and dining options a huge improvement over what was there before.
The old terminal was not “fine”. The CTB was a mess. Low ceilings, cramped, poor choices for food, security lines that clogged, constant dripping from ceilings, and terrible roadway access.
Impossible to add more gates as flights are capped there.
LGA looks beautiful now, but still reflects the chronic issue with American infrastructure. Public transportation to and from remains complicated, understaffed ATC, etc.. so vast sums of money are spent on beautifying the terminals and simplifying the taxiways (it’s so much better now) but the accessibility remains problematic.
Why less than $4? Current fare is $2.90 and you get free transfers (and as you note the bus from LGA to the subway is free anyway). I suppose if you bought a metrocard for $1 that would bring you to $3.90, but no reason to do so with tap-and-go / OMNY installed everywhere now.
As for the new LGA – the new Delta Sky Club is exceptional and worth a visit on a subsequent trip. But getting to the gate can be a very, very long walk.
$2.90 is correct. I was thinking $3.90, but I did tap and verify it was $2.90.
I agree that the new terminal is beautiful. However, a few things:
1) No clear. It took me 30 minutes to get through with TSA pre check a few times. So it’s not necessarily quick to get through.
2) It’s a pretty long hike out to the gates. It takes a LONG time. I absolutely use to be able to get to the nasty old terminal 45 minutes before a flight reliably and make it to the gate. That really cannot happen now. I cant tell you how many frequent biz travelers I know, both local New Yorkers as well as those visiting NYC for work frequently, who lament that they have to budget a lot more time than before to get to their gate. While they appreciate that it’s nice, they do miss the ease of the old terminal. I understand that concern. I absolutely hate clearing security and then being forced to go through a shopping mall, similar to what on experiences in several European airports. It’s awful. And a waste of time.
3) for being a new terminal, the restrooms are small, and there are frequent lines. Seems like some details are missed.
Terminals are better. But getting to the airport is still a pain with bags via mass transit. Maybe someday the PA will pony up the dough for some type of basic elevated train to LGA.
LGA may no longer be a national disgrace but a 30 mppa airport without direct rail access to the city it serves is pitiful by international standards and, of course, the same applies to JFK and EWR. It’s as if public transport is being actively discouraged for airport passengers and workers in the greater NYC area.
Re: “as a United flyer it’s almost always Newark for me” would be more accurate as “as a United Southern California resident transcon flyer since 2015 it’s almost always Newark for me.” I’m also a UA flyer (lifetime 1M, butt in seat, 90% leisure) for the 20 years (of my ~35-40 years flying), but a NYC area resident with LGA as the nearest airport. I’ve flown from and to old and new LGA many times.
Until 2015 UA transcons were from JFK to LAX and SFO, so EWR wasn’t necessary for a UA flyer. For much of the area in-between, all airlines require connecting service so UA flyers from LGA (connecting in ORD or DEN) are not at a significant disadvantage. For skiers, UA by far has service to more ski destinations (JAC, BZN, SUN, MTJ, HDN, YVR, SLC and DEN) often connecting in DEN, than other airlines it’s (almost) always LGA for us.
BREAK
Some people will complain about anything and everything. Evan is correct, it’s nothing short of amazingly incredible how they built a magnificent new airport in the cramped space that’s LGA while keeping operations at near 100%, instead of closing the airport for 4 or 5 years.
Then old airport in its last 20 years of operation was repulsively disgusting; impossible to clean, garbage pails collecting leaky roof water in the middle of the concourses, mildew, small cramped concourses, bathrooms often closed or broken, no space for modern security screening, most lounges landside, minimal gate area seating. A complete sh—hole, an embarrassment to the USA.
The criticisms above are all basically criticisms of how NYC and the USA are overpopulated and infrastructure can no longer keep up. Don’t like a lot of traffic to get to the airport, don’t like a long walk to the gate, don’t like high ceilings and shops; don’t go to NYC and LGA. Buy your own jet, train, bus, drive, walk, lots of options but please stop whining and complaining. Of course if you actually have a viable constructive critique we’re all ears.
I think the “first world/third world” comparisons are fairly overused and outdated? What is a third world airport exactly? Following the Cold War definition, DOH, AUH, and DXB are third world.
I get the intent, but massive public infrastructure in the US is almost never world class. T2 in PTY is equally stunning, but unlike LGA, it has a rail connection to the city. Who exactly is #1?
You saved money taking the subway but took your life in your hands!!
Too bad you didn’t have time to explore the Roosevelt Avenue area of Jackson Heights. You could have explored the Market of Sweethearts! So a friend told me….
I flew through the new LGA twice last week (Same Terminal as You Matthew, B, but on American) and had the same thoughts/experiences. The TSA was a BREEZE and although there is a bunch of needless walking and backtracking, I enjoyed it. The public art is beautiful! They are however taking away ALOT of public space and views by adding a new “Sushi Place” in the food court inbetween Juniors Cheesecakes and Hill Country BBQ (was open seating with excellent views of the runway(s) and then in the big hallway, nearly half of the tall windows will become a “CapitalOne Dining Experience” now.
I know You mainly fly United, and sometimes American, but did You get to check out the “new” Admirals Club too? To KY knowledge it was the last built from the ground up before the new style was implemented. I LOVE this lounge as it’s huge, has at least 15 different sitting areas, some overlook the terminal, some the gates, several “bridges”, and alsoa “calm area” with daybeds and massage chairs, even old arcade games and a mini-library sith workstations. It’s my favorite Admirals Club (at least of the airports I regularly fly through).
LGA is fantastic! Been to both terminals, altho the walk times in DL (to 60-69) are insane. Taken the Q70 many times as well! I can’t justify paying for ubers either! Why pay 60 when you can pay 3. Plus using public transit gets you more of it!