Ruth Haines
LaGuardia Airport, located in northern Queens, offers stunning views of New York City during takeoff and landing. The approach paths to the airport provide passengers with a unique perspective of the city, including sights such as the Verrazano Bridge, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. The best views can be seen from the left-hand window seats, where passengers can observe iconic landmarks and even spot their own homes. LaGuardia's proximity to the city makes it a popular choice for travellers and provides a memorable first impression of New York City.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Views of New York City | Views of the harbor and all five boroughs of the city, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens |
| Airport Characteristics | Busy airport with crowded airspace, located in northern Queens |
| Runway Approaches | Runway 04 from the southwest or northwest/northeast, with views of Manhattan from the left or right-hand side of the plane, respectively |
| Passenger Traffic | LaGuardia handled over 26 million passengers in 2013, contributing to New York's ranking as the second-highest in passenger traffic globally |
| Customer Satisfaction | Ranked lowest in customer satisfaction among U.S. airports by J.D. Power & Associates |
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What You'll Learn
Best plane seat for views
LaGuardia Airport, or LGA, is located in northern Queens, New York City, and is one of the busiest airports in the U.S. in terms of passenger traffic. The airport offers fantastic views of the city's harbour and all five boroughs.
If you're approaching Runway 04 from the southwest, a left-hand window seat will give you a view of the harbour and Manhattan. However, if your flight takes the more roundabout route, flying north up the Hudson River before turning to land from the northwest or northeast, you'll want to be seated on the right-hand side to catch a glimpse of Manhattan.
The approach path to LaGuardia Airport frequently changes throughout the day due to weather conditions and air traffic, so it can be challenging to predict the ideal seat in advance. Nevertheless, if you're coming from the south, the left-hand side of the plane is generally recommended to increase your chances of seeing the city skyline.
Some passengers have reported seeing Manhattan in great detail from the left-hand window seats, even being able to identify their own buildings. On the other hand, others have mentioned that the right-hand side can offer a good view of Manhattan and a partial view on the left if the plane flies up the Hudson, turns east, and then south over Long Island Sound.
So, while there is no guaranteed way to ensure the best view, your chances of seeing New York City from LaGuardia Airport are certainly higher if you opt for a window seat, preferably on the left-hand side, especially if you're approaching Runway 04.
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Transport to/from the airport
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is located in northern Queens, New York City. It is one of the three New York City metropolitan airports, the others being JFK and Newark.
There are several transport options for getting to and from LaGuardia Airport.
By bus and subway
The MTA public transit system offers a network of buses, trains, shuttles, and taxis to get tourists and residents around New York City. You can take the M60 bus from any terminal at LaGuardia to 125th Street in Manhattan, where you can transfer for free to the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, A, C, and D subway trains. Alternatively, you can take one of the Q buses to the N, Q, and R or E and F lines in Queens.
By shuttle
GO Airlink NYC operates a shared ride shuttle service to and from LaGuardia Airport, providing transportation to Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and nearby areas. The company also offers a private van or car service for those who want a direct, non-stop ride.
By taxi
You can take a New York City yellow cab, also known as a taxi, to and from LaGuardia Airport. Exit the terminal on the arrivals level and look for the taxi kiosk, where you can line up to get into a cab.
By rideshare
Rideshare apps like Lyft and Uber connect riders with drivers within minutes. You can call a cab once you've collected your luggage from the carousel.
By private car
You can pre-arrange for a private car service to pick you up at the airport.
By rental car
Several rental car companies serve LaGuardia and offer free shuttles from the airport to the parking lot. Short-term parking is available if you're picking up or dropping off at the airport, and long-term parking is available for those leaving their car overnight or for an extended period.
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LaGuardia's poor customer satisfaction
LaGuardia Airport, or LGA, is located in northern Queens, New York City, and offers fantastic views of the harbour and all five boroughs of the city. While the airport is conveniently located close to Manhattan, it has a poor reputation for customer satisfaction.
A 2017 study by J.D. Power & Associates found that LaGuardia had the lowest customer satisfaction of all U.S. airports. The study, which polled over 34,000 travellers, revealed that respondents were less satisfied with their experiences at LaGuardia than at any other large or medium-sized airport in North America.
Travellers have described the airport as "dirty, cramped, and poorly lit", with an inefficient baggage check and security process. The airport's proximity to Manhattan and its transportation options, including buses, subways, taxis, and private shuttles, are often cited as its only pros. However, even these options come with challenges, as driving in New York City is a hassle, and parking is expensive and difficult to find.
Despite its negative reputation, LaGuardia is undergoing significant renovations to improve its terminals, parking system, and drop-off and pick-up areas. While these changes are underway, it is important to manage expectations, as progress at American airports has been slow due to a lack of investment.
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LaGuardia's runway approaches
LaGuardia Airport, or LGA, is located in northern Queens, New York City, and is one of the busiest airports in the U.S. in terms of passenger traffic. The airport offers fantastic views of the city's harbour and all five boroughs.
The runway approaches to LaGuardia can vary depending on the weather and air traffic conditions, but there are a few common paths that planes often take. One approach is the direct route, where planes continue northeast directly onto the runway. Another option is to jog to the right, followed by a left turn over Flushing Meadow Park, passing by the tennis centre and CitiField before landing to the northwest. A third option is to continue past the airport to the northeast, turning around over Westchester or Connecticut, and then landing from the southwest.
If you're approaching Runway 04 from the southwest, a left-hand window seat will give you the best views of the harbour and Manhattan. Alternatively, if you're taking the longer route up the Hudson River and turning to land from the northwest or northeast, you'll want to be on the right-hand side for views of Manhattan. These approaches can be unpredictable, so it's a good idea to choose one side and enjoy the view!
Passengers have reported seeing stunning views of Manhattan in great detail, even spotting their own buildings. The views are especially spectacular on clear, sunny days, allowing for extraordinary bird's-eye pictures of the city. LaGuardia's runway approaches offer a unique perspective of New York City that you won't soon forget.
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LaGuardia's views vs. other NYC airports
LaGuardia Airport, located in northern Queens, offers fantastic views of New York City's harbor and all five boroughs. To maximise your viewing experience, it is recommended to sit on the left-hand side of the plane when approaching Runway 04 from the southwest. This will give you a clear view of the harbor and Manhattan. However, if the plane takes a more roundabout route, flying north up the Hudson River before turning northwest or northeast to land, you will want to sit on the right side for the best views of Manhattan.
On the other hand, JFK Airport, located southeast of LaGuardia, provides a different perspective of the city. While you may catch a glimpse of Manhattan from the right side of the plane, it will be from a higher altitude and may not offer as clear of a view as LaGuardia.
As for Newark Liberty International Airport, located across the Hudson River from Manhattan, you can enjoy views of the Manhattan skyline and New York Harbor from the left side of the plane. Newark offers a unique vantage point of the city, showcasing the Chrysler Building, Midtown Manhattan, Queens, and the Bronx District.
Each of the three major New York City airports provides a distinct perspective of the city's iconic skyline. LaGuardia offers the closest views of Manhattan and the harbor, while JFK and Newark provide different but still impressive vistas of the city from farther away. So, if you're a fan of aerial views and want to see New York City in all its glory, consider choosing an airport that suits your viewing preferences.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, LaGuardia Airport offers spectacular views of New York City. You can see all five boroughs of the city, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.
It depends on the approach path taken by the pilot. If you make the approach into Runway 04 from the southwest, a left-hand window seat will offer views of the harbor and Manhattan. If the plane takes a roundabout approach, flying north up the Hudson River and turning to land from the northwest or northeast, you will want to be on the right-hand side for views of Manhattan.
There are various transportation options available from LaGuardia Airport to New York City. The MTA public transit system offers buses, trains, shuttles, and taxis. You can take the M60 bus from any terminal at LaGuardia Airport to 125th Street in Manhattan, where you can transfer to the subway. The LaGuardia Link Q70 also runs nonstop every 8-10 minutes to the subway. Additionally, taxi services such as Uber, Lyft, and yellow cabs are available at the airport.
While there are several airports in the New York City area, many people believe that LaGuardia Airport offers the best views of the city.
