Located in East Elmhurst, Queens, and covering over 600 acres, LaGuardia Airport (LGA) has undergone one of the most dramatic transformations in U.S. aviation history. Named after former New York City Mayor Fiorello La Guardia, the airport is the third busiest in New York City and the 20th busiest in the world, primarily serving Delta Air Lines and American Airlines.
From Worst to First: The $8 Billion Transformation
What was once notoriously called one of the worst airports in America has been completely rebuilt into an award-winning facility. The reconstruction project, which began in 2016, was substantially completed in 2024 with a total investment of $8 billion—making it the first complete rebuild of a U.S. airport in over 25 years.
The transformation has earned LaGuardia numerous prestigious awards:
- Skytrax World Airport Award – Best airport in North America for domestic and short haul international travel for 2025
- Forbes Travel Guide – Named best U.S. airport for two consecutive years (2024 and 2025)
- Airport Service Quality Award – Best North American airport in its size class for 2023 and 2024
- Terminal B received a 5-star rating from Skytrax and UNESCO’s Prix Versailles architecture award
Current Terminal Layout
LaGuardia now operates with three modern terminals (A, B, and C), a significant change from the four-terminal configuration mentioned in older guides. The terminals are connected via shuttle buses, as they are not directly linked.
Terminal A (Marine Air Terminal)
The historic Marine Air Terminal retains its art deco charm while serving modern aviation needs. Originally built for seaplane operations, Terminal A now serves Spirit Airlines and BermudAir. Inside, you’ll find the famous 12-foot-high mural created during the Great Depression-era Works Progress Administration, which was painted over in the 1950s but has since been restored.
Key Features:
- 6 gates (A1-A6)
- Historic art deco architecture
- Full FBO services for general aviation
- Italian restaurant Salatto
- Charging stations and nursing suites
Terminal B (Central Terminal Building)
Terminal B was completed in 2022 and represents the centerpiece of LaGuardia’s transformation. At 1.3 million square feet with 35 gates, this terminal earned recognition as the world’s best new airport terminal.
Key Features:
- Two innovative pedestrian skybridges spanning active taxiways – the first airport in the world to feature dual skybridges
- 3,000-car parking garage
- Four-level design with spacious, naturally lit interiors
- Extensive dining and shopping on Level 4, including Shake Shack, Dos Toros Taqueria, Mi Casa Cantina, FAO Schwarz, and MAC
- LEED v4 Gold certification
- Serves American Airlines, Air Canada, Southwest, United, JetBlue, and Frontier
The terminal’s design allows travelers to watch planes taxi beneath the skybridges while enjoying views of the Manhattan skyline – a unique architectural feature that also improved airport operations by increasing taxiway space.
Terminal C
Delta Air Lines’ Terminal C opened in June 2022 after a $4 billion transformation and was completed in 2024. At 1.3 million square feet, it’s 85% larger than the two terminals it replaced.
Key Features:
- 38 gates across four concourses
- Floor-to-ceiling windows providing natural light throughout
- State-of-the-art technology and amenities
- Curated public art from the Queens Museum
- Primarily serves Delta Air Lines and WestJet
Note: The former Terminal D has been fully integrated into the new Terminal C as part of the renovation.
Transportation Options
Getting to and from LaGuardia has improved significantly with the renovation, though the airport still lacks direct subway access.
Public Transportation
- Q70 LaGuardia Link – Free shuttle bus connecting to the subway at Jackson Heights and Long Island Rail Road at Woodside. A $160 million investment is underway to deliver faster, more frequent, and more reliable service
- M60 SBS bus to Manhattan and Harlem
- Multiple local bus routes
Ground Transportation
- Taxis – Available at designated ranks on the arrivals level of each terminal
- Ride-sharing – Uber and Lyft pickup locations in the parking garage’s dedicated level
- Car services – Numerous professional car and limousine services operate throughout NYC and the tri-state area
- Rental cars – Facilities located south of the Grand Central Parkway, accessible by shuttle bus
Regional Service
LaGuardia serves as a hub for travelers throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Professional car services offer transportation to destinations including:
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania (including Philadelphia and beyond)
- Connecticut (including New London)
- Massachusetts
- Washington, D.C.
- And even as far as Tennessee, Ohio, and West Virginia for those willing to pay premium rates
For interstate travel needs, research local car service providers in advance to ensure reliable, professional service.
Economic Impact
About 15,800 people are employed at LaGuardia Airport, and the facility contributes more than $13.6 billion in economic activity to the New York-New Jersey metropolitan region, supporting 62,000 total jobs.
The renovation project itself has been remarkable for its focus on equity and local economic development, awarding over $2 billion to minority and women-owned businesses and more than $800 million to local businesses in Queens.
Travel Tips
- Allow extra time – While vastly improved, LaGuardia can still experience congestion during peak travel times
- Check your terminal – Airlines have moved locations during the renovation. Verify your terminal before departure
- Explore the amenities – The new terminals feature significantly upgraded dining and shopping options
- Use Terminal B for international arrivals – Passport and immigration control is located in Terminal B
- Book transportation in advance – Whether using a car service or ride-sharing, pre-booking ensures smoother airport access
The Remarkable Turnaround
LaGuardia’s transformation represents a remarkable success story in American infrastructure. Once famously compared to a “third-world” airport by then-Vice President Joe Biden in 2014, the facility now stands as a model for airport redevelopment. The two-thirds of the $8 billion cost financed by the Port Authority’s two private partners demonstrates the success of public-private partnerships in delivering world-class infrastructure.
Today’s LaGuardia offers spacious, light-filled terminals with modern amenities, local concessions, inspiring public art, and dramatically improved passenger experiences. Whether you’re flying for business or pleasure, LaGuardia Airport now provides the world-class gateway that New York deserves.
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