LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in Queens just completed an $8 billion (C$11 billion), multi-year renovation that’s completely transformed what was once New York City’s “second” airport behind JFK. As someone who flies more than 320,000 kilometres per year, it’s slowly but surely earned its status as one of my favourite airports.
LaGuardia is an easy-to-get-to option for travellers staying in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, or Long Island. The airport serves over 30 million passengers with nearly 1,000 flights per day, functioning as a bustling transit hub for primarily domestic flights. Built in 1929, it’s named after former New York City mayor Fiorello La Guardia.
Terminal information
LaGuardia Airport is divided into three terminals: A, B, and C. Terminal A, also called the Marine Air Terminal, is the oldest and was completed in 1940. While the Art Deco-style terminal has serviced numerous airlines over the years, today it’s used by Spirit Airlines for domestic flights within the US. Spirit operates from Terminal A and flies to around 15 destinations from the airport, including Houston, Orlando, West Palm Beach, Dallas, and Atlanta.
Since its overhaul, Terminal B at LGA serves multiple airlines including American, JetBlue, Southwest, United, and Air Canada. If you’re landing or departing from Terminal B, you’ll notice the terminal’s Arrivals & Departures Hall is a four-storey facility. When you first arrive at the airport, you’ll find yourself at the welcome centre on Level 1, which includes hotel shuttles and buses. Working your way through the terminal, you’ll find baggage claim, car services, parking, and passenger pick-ups on Level 2. Over on Level 3, there’s passenger drop-off, ticketing, check-in, and security.
If you need to connect to other parts of the terminal, you’ll find those connections via elevated pedestrian bridges to the Eastern and Western Concourses. I particularly love how these two concourses have sped up the connections between gates, meaning I no longer have to worry about missing any connecting flights. Between them, they house 35 gates and serve Air Canada, American Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines.
Terminal C is Delta’s exclusive home at LaGuardia, with 37 gates. This is my favourite terminal of the bunch. It’s beautifully designed and packed with handy tech like hands-free bag drop and Digital ID screening that gets you to security faster. Plus, the 3,200-square-metre Delta Sky Club is a great place to relax before a flight.
How to get to and from LaGuardia Airport
You have several options for getting to Manhattan from LaGuardia, though it’s worth remembering that some hotels aren’t easy to reach via public transportation. Most first-time visitors to the city will find a simple yellow taxi or Uber preferable to navigating buses and subways.
You can hail a yellow cab from any of the airport’s terminals, and pick-up locations for rideshare services such as Uber are available at Terminal B. Rates vary depending on traffic, but I usually pay less when choosing Uber to my home in central Brooklyn.
For a budget-friendly option, the city’s M60 or Q70 bus services are your best bet. They offer a more direct route to Manhattan with fewer stops and also have luggage racks. The Q72 bus also makes local stops around Queens, though note that recently, the Q47 no longer serves Terminal A, and the Q48 has been replaced by the new Q90 route in the Queens bus network redesign.
How to get between LGA and JFK
Public transport is a solid way to get between LaGuardia and JFK, but I’d recommend mapping your route before you go. My go-to is the Q70 bus from LaGuardia, which connects you to the E line at Jackson Heights. From there, take the E towards Jamaica to Sutphin Boulevard–Archer Avenue for the JFK AirTrain connection.
You can also take an airport shuttle. A private service, Go Airlink NYC, offers reasonable per-person rates. A yellow cab is another option, but with NYC traffic, it can quickly become expensive and time-consuming.
Things to do during a layover
While a layover at LaGuardia was once regarded as something of a punishment (and I personally used to spend as little time there as possible), the renovation has transformed the experience. The time spent between flights now can seem like a holiday within a holiday.
The food options at LGA
For starters, the food options are great. Whenever I have time, I grab a beer at one of the restaurants in Terminal B. I also like to have brunch like a true New Yorker at Bubby’s, or pick up an authentic New York slice at Crust in Terminal C. If you’re a fan of ramen, you can also visit Brooklyn hotspot Chuko’s LaGuardia outpost in Terminal C. For post-dinner cocktails, the Panorama Bar in Terminal B offers great views of the airfield with a menu of classic drinks.
A selection of shops for everyone
LaGuardia has plenty of shops if you’re in the mood for some retail therapy. If you need a good book, the McNally Jackson in Terminal B is way better than your average airport newsstand. For travellers with kids, the toy store FAO Schwarz is a lifesaver.
I’m always impressed by CIBO, a newsstand that stocks boutique toiletries and other essentials. It’s where I grab my favourite Marvis toothpaste before a flight, a little luxury that makes a long travel day better.
Lounges at LGA
LaGuardia has you covered for lounge access. The airport features airline lounges including an American Airlines Admirals Club, a United Airlines United Club, an Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, and a Delta Sky Club. Credit card holders can access the American Express Centurion Lounge and Chase Sapphire Lounge.
The Delta Sky Club
Located in Terminal C, this is the largest lounge in Delta’s entire network. As a Delta loyalist, this is where I spend most of my time at LGA. The lounge’s stand-out feature is the temperature-controlled sky deck overlooking the runway. It’s open year-round and has a full bar, making it a great spot to unwind.
The Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge
Conveniently located just past security in Terminal B, this lounge offers complimentary refreshments and a business centre for getting work done while you wait for your connection.
The American Airlines Admirals Club
You can find this lounge in Terminal B. It features an automatic wine dispenser (yes, you read that right!) and spacious bathrooms with showers to help you freshen up.
The Centurion Lounge
Also in Terminal B, this lounge is accessible to American Express Platinum, Business Platinum, and Centurion cardholders. It has a business centre, an elegant dining area, and a menu curated by chef Cédric Vongerichten of Wayan fame. The craft cocktails here are a personal favourite.
The Chase Sapphire Lounge
Chase Sapphire Reserve card members can access this lounge. The space includes a work area, a family room, and a wellness centre with facials, meditations, and rest pods.
The United Airlines United Club
This lounge has an open layout with great views of the tarmac. It features an Illy coffee machine for that essential pre-travel caffeine fix, a food bar, and plenty of seating to help you relax.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
