Jazmin Li
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York City has a rich history and has undergone significant changes since its opening in 1939. The airport is named after Fiorello La Guardia, the former mayor of New York and a long-time aviation advocate. LaGuardia Airport has been criticised for its outdated facilities and poor customer service, leading to a multibillion-dollar reconstruction project that began in 2015. The airport is located in the northern part of the New York City borough of Queens and is a hub for Delta Air Lines and American Airlines. It consists of four terminals (A, B, C, and D) and offers expanded dining, shopping, and lounge options for passengers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | LaGuardia Airport |
| Location | Northern part of the New York City borough of Queens |
| Year of Opening | 1939 |
| Airlines | Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Air Canada, JetBlue, Southwest, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Frontier, Spirit |
| Terminals | A, B, C, D |
| Gates | 11-31, 40-49, 51-57, 60-69, 70-79, 81-89, 81B, 92-98 |
| Lounges | 6 |
| Perimeter Rule | Restricts nonstop flights to cities more than 1,500 miles away |
| Employees | 11,000 |
| Economic Activity | $15.6 billion |
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What You'll Learn
LaGuardia Airport's history and location
LaGuardia Airport (IATA: LGA, ICAO: KLGA, FAA LID: LGA) is a civil airport in East Elmhurst, Queens, New York City. It is situated on the northwestern shore of Long Island, bordering Flushing Bay. The airport covers 650-680 acres and is one of the busiest airports on the East Coast, serving over 25 million passengers per year on average.
The ground that LaGuardia Airport stands on was first used for the Gala Amusement Park, run by the Steinway family, who founded the piano company Steinway & Sons. The park was torn down in 1929, and the space was converted into an airfield. The private airport was originally named the Glenn H. Curtiss Airport, honouring the American aviation pioneer. It was renamed the North Beach Airport in 1935.
In 1934, Fiorello La Guardia was elected mayor of New York City. La Guardia was a long-time aviation advocate and had criticised the slow progress of establishing municipal airports in the city. He spearheaded the idea to turn the North Beach Airport into an airport for commercial flights. Construction of the new airport began in 1937, with backing from the Works Progress Administration. The airport opened on December 2, 1939, as the New York Municipal Airport.
LaGuardia Airport has been in operation for over 80 years and has endured changes in travel habits and economic conditions. It has contributed significantly to the New York-New Jersey metropolitan region's economy, creating jobs and generating billions in annual salaries. The airport has undergone various improvements and a multibillion-dollar reconstruction of its passenger infrastructure, completed in January 2025.
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$6.89
Terminals and gates
LaGuardia Airport has three active terminals (A, B, and C) with 72 gates. The terminals are all connected by buses and walkways, with signage throughout designed by Paul Mijksenaar. Terminal B was historically under the direct operation of the Port Authority, but in 2016, its management was transferred to a private company, LaGuardia Gateway Partners.
Terminal A, also known as the Marine Air Terminal, was initially built to manage seaplane operations and is located on the west side of the airport. It is occupied by Frontier and Spirit Airlines and has six gates numbered A1 to A6. The terminal has a circular art deco rotunda that leads through to the check-in area, with departures and arrivals located on the same level. Although there is no separate building for general aviation aircraft, a pseudo-terminal is operated within Terminal A, providing services such as fueling, computerized weather, and flight planning.
Terminal B is in the central area of the airport and has two concourses: the Western Concourse (Gates 11–31) and the Eastern Concourse (Gates 40–59). The terminal has four levels, including a concessions level with shops and restaurants. The baggage claim carousels, a welcome centre, and a shop are located on Level 2. Passport and immigration control are located in Terminal B, and all international arrivals must pass through before exiting the airport.
Terminal C is the newest addition to LaGuardia Airport and comprises four concourses: Gates 61–69, 71–79, 82–89, and 92–98. This terminal primarily serves Delta Air Lines and features a variety of shops and restaurants, including a food court and a Starbucks. Gates 81 to 89B are located to the right and down the escalators after clearing security.
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Airlines operating from the airport
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is a large airport in New York, USA. It is named after Fiorello H. La Guardia, a former mayor of New York City, who was a long-time aviation advocate. The airport accommodates both domestic and limited international flights. As of 2023, it was the third-busiest airport in the New York metropolitan area and the 19th-busiest in the United States by passenger volume.
LaGuardia Airport is a hub for American Airlines and Delta Air Lines. In April 1957, American Airlines was the largest operator at LaGuardia, with 126 weekday fixed-wing departures. Today, Delta is the largest airline by the number of departures, with around 1533 scheduled take-offs every week. American Airlines is the second-largest operator. Other airlines that operate from LaGuardia include Air Canada, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Porter Airlines, Southwest, Spirit, United, and WestJet. In total, there are 10 airlines flying from LaGuardia to 110 airports around the world.
The airport has three terminals (Terminals A, B, and C), from which flights depart to 89 destinations. The route with the most departures is the route to Chicago (ORD), with an average of 195 flights from LaGuardia every week. The top international destinations are Toronto (YYZ) and Montreal (YUL).
LaGuardia Airport has been criticised for its outdated facilities, inefficient operations, and poor customer service. In 2015, a multibillion-dollar reconstruction of the airport's passenger infrastructure was announced, which was completed in January 2025.
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Lounge and dining options
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) offers a range of lounges for its New York City travellers. The new Terminal B is home to an American Airlines Admirals Club, a United Club, an Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, an American Express Centurion Lounge, and multiple Priority Pass options. The lounges are modern and stylish, with a variety of seating options, including comfortable armchairs and booth-style seats. The lounges also offer food and beverage options, such as a coffee station with drip coffee and espresso, a soda machine, a bar, and a buffet. The Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, located in Terminal B, Eastern Concourse, Level 3, is open daily from 4:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. and is generally for departing passengers only. The Admirals Club, also in Terminal B, is open daily from 4:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and requires a same-day boarding card for a flight marketed or operated by American, any Oneworld airline, or Aer Lingus.
The Centurion Lounge is accessible to eligible credit card holders when flying with any airline. The Delta Sky Club, located in Terminal C, Level 4, is open daily from 4:45 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. (closing at 6:30 p.m. on Saturdays) and offers access to cardholders of select Japan-based Delta SkyMiles cards. The Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club at LGA is another option for travellers.
In addition to the lounges, LaGuardia Airport also offers dining options. While specific restaurants are not mentioned, the food options available in the lounges include mini smoothies, scrambled eggs, sweet potatoes, egg frittata, crispy french toast, and Greek yogurt.
For those seeking a more private dining experience, the airport also offers pilot and passenger lounges within the Marine Air Terminal (Terminal A), which is operated by Modern Aviation. This terminal provides full FBO services to private and charter aircraft owners and pilots.
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Security and access
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York City has undergone significant renovations to improve its facilities and security. The airport has four terminals: Terminal A, Terminal B, Terminal C, and Terminal D, with Terminal A serving as the original airport terminal for international travel during the 1940s. Terminal B, also known as the Central Terminal Building, primarily serves domestic flights.
To access the General Aviation terminal within the Marine Air Terminal (Terminal A), individuals must possess a SIDA (Security Identification Display Area) badge for unescorted access. Transient aircraft owners, pilots, and passengers must be escorted at all times by FBO staff when entering and exiting the GA Terminal and accessing the ramp and hangar areas. These security measures were implemented following the September 11 attacks, leading to changes in rules for general aviation aircraft landings and departures at LaGuardia.
The airport's primary access highway is the Grand Central Parkway, located directly north of the airport. LaGuardia Airport is easily accessible and provides modern terminals, expanded dining, shopping, and lounge options for travellers.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is located in the northern part of the New York City borough of Queens.
LaGuardia Airport is a hub for Delta Air Lines and American Airlines. Other airlines that operate from the airport include Air Canada, JetBlue, Southwest, and United Airlines.
LaGuardia Airport has four terminals (A, B, C, and D) with expanded dining, shopping, and lounge options. There are six lounges in total, with three located inside the secure area and three located outside. The airport also has a children's play area and an Admiral's Club.
Yes, LaGuardia Airport has undergone significant renovations in recent years, including the redevelopment of Terminal B and the construction of a new Terminal C. The airport also underwent a multibillion-dollar reconstruction of its passenger infrastructure, which was completed in January 2025.
