
LaGuardia Airport (IATA: LGA) is a civil airport in East Elmhurst, Queens, New York City, located on the northwestern shore of Long Island, bordering Flushing Bay. The airport opened in 1939 and is named after Fiorello H. La Guardia, a former mayor of New York City. Newark Liberty International Airport (IATA: EWR), on the other hand, is a major international airport serving the New York metropolitan area. The airport is located in both Newark, Essex County, and Elizabeth, Union County, New Jersey, approximately 9 miles west-southwest of Manhattan.
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What You'll Learn
- Newark Liberty International Airport is in both Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey
- LaGuardia Airport is in Queens, New York City
- LGA is the smallest of New York's metropolitan airports
- EWR is the second-busiest airport in the New York airport system
- LaGuardia Airport is named after Fiorello H. La Guardia, a former mayor of New York City

Newark Liberty International Airport is in both Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is located in New Jersey, about 15 miles southwest of Midtown Manhattan. The airport is partially situated in the city of Newark and partially in Elizabeth, another New Jersey city. While EWR is a major hub for airlines like United, it is often considered the least convenient airport for travellers visiting New York City. This is due to its distance from Manhattan and other boroughs, as well as the confusing public transportation options available.
Travellers who are staying in Long Island City, Astoria in Queens, Williamsburg in Brooklyn, Manhattan's East Side, or the Bronx may find EWR a good option. The airport is also a good choice for those who prefer taxis or ride-shares, as these can be expensive when travelling to and from other New York airports. Additionally, travellers coming on a red-eye from Europe may prefer EWR, as it is often quicker by road than LGA or JFK.
For those using public transportation, EWR can be more of a hassle. The AirTrain and NJTransit options require additional transfers to buses or trains, and public transportation is slower and more expensive than other options. The Newark Airport Express Shuttle Bus is one exception, offering a quick and affordable connection to Manhattan for $17-18 one-way.
Compared to LaGuardia Airport (LGA), EWR is generally considered less convenient for those staying in Queens, Midtown, or Williamsburg, unless one is staying in a hotel just over the Hudson in New Jersey. LGA is also a good option for travellers going to Brooklyn, especially the north side, as well as most other destinations besides the downtown, west side, and Jersey or Penn Station areas.
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LaGuardia Airport is in Queens, New York City
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is located in northern Queens, New York City. It is often ranked as one of the worst airports in the US for flight cancellations and delays. However, after reconstruction efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, LaGuardia has been described as New York's "nicest airport", with superb views of Flushing Bay.
If you're staying in Queens, Midtown, or Williamsburg, LaGuardia is a good choice, although you'll need to take a taxi to and from the airport. Public transportation options to LaGuardia are limited to buses, although the Q70 bus/subway combo has made it much easier to get to the airport using public transportation.
LaGuardia is a good option if you're staying in Long Island City, Brooklyn, or the east side of Manhattan. It is also a good option if you plan on taking public transportation to Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights, or Fort Greene in Brooklyn.
Compared to Newark Airport (EWR), LaGuardia is more convenient for those staying in Queens. Newark Airport is located in New Jersey, about 15 miles from Midtown Manhattan. While it is a good option if you're staying on the west side of Manhattan or New Jersey, it can be expensive and time-consuming to get to other destinations, such as Queens or Brooklyn.
In summary, LaGuardia Airport is a convenient option for those travelling to or from Queens, Midtown, or Brooklyn, especially with the recent improvements to its terminals and food options.
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LGA is the smallest of New York's metropolitan airports
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is one of three major airports in the New York metropolitan area, the others being John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). LGA is located in East Elmhurst, Queens, New York City, and covers 680 acres of land. It is the smallest of the three metropolitan airports.
LaGuardia is a popular option for domestic travellers, with eight carriers flying direct to cities across the U.S., as well as Canada, Aruba, the Bahamas, and Bermuda. The airport served 30.6 million domestic passengers in 2023, making it the third-busiest airport in the New York metropolitan area in terms of passenger volume.
LGA is accessible via the Grand Central Parkway and overpasses at 94th Street and 102nd Street. As of 2021, buses are the only mode of mass transit to and from the airport, with all terminals served by accessible public MTA bus lines. The airport also features a complementary internal shuttle bus route.
Compared to JFK and EWR, LaGuardia is generally considered a more convenient option for those travelling to and from certain parts of New York City, such as Long Island City, Brooklyn, and the east side of Manhattan. However, public transport connections from LGA can be more challenging than those from EWR, with one source noting that "public transport is a bit trickier from LGA".
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EWR is the second-busiest airport in the New York airport system
New York City's airport system is the busiest in the US. It is served by three major airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
EWR is located in New Jersey, about 15 miles southwest of Midtown Manhattan. It is a major hub for airlines such as United and is a good choice for travellers staying on the west side of Manhattan or New Jersey. It is also a popular option for those travelling to and from Long Island City, Astoria in Queens, Williamsburg in Brooklyn, Manhattan's East Side, and the Bronx.
While EWR is convenient for those travelling to and from certain areas, it is often considered the least favourite airport of the three. This is due to its location, which makes it a hassle for those not staying in New Jersey or the south. Travel to and from the airport can be expensive, with various tolls each way, and public transportation is slower and more expensive compared to the other airports. EWR is also known for constant delays due to its layout and perpetual low Air Traffic Control staffing.
Despite being the second-busiest airport in the New York airport system, EWR has its advantages. The Newark Airport Express Shuttle is a popular choice for travellers, offering a quick and relatively inexpensive way to get to and from Midtown Manhattan. The airport is also preferred by some travellers coming on a red-eye from Europe.
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LaGuardia Airport is named after Fiorello H. La Guardia, a former mayor of New York City
LaGuardia Airport (IATA: LGA, ICAO: KLGA, FAA LID: LGA) is located in East Elmhurst, Queens, New York City. It is situated on the northwestern shore of Long Island, bordering Flushing Bay. The airport was established in 1929 and began operating as a public airport in 1939. It is named after Fiorello H. La Guardia, a former mayor of New York City, who served from 1934 to 1945 or 1946.
Fiorello La Guardia was born in Greenwich Village, New York City, on December 11, 1882, to a family of Italian immigrants. He quickly became interested in politics and, before becoming mayor, represented Manhattan in the U.S. House of Representatives and served on the New York City Board of Aldermen. During his mayoral tenure, which coincided with the Great Depression and World War II, La Guardia implemented a series of political reforms and public works programs that had a significant impact on the city.
One notable incident involving La Guardia and the airport that now bears his name occurred when he arrived at Newark Airport, the only commercial airport serving the region at the time. His ticket said "New York", and he demanded to be taken to the city. He ordered the plane to be flown to Brooklyn's Floyd Bennett Field, where he held an impromptu press conference. This outburst led to his support for a new airport within New York City, which eventually became LaGuardia Airport.
LaGuardia Airport is particularly convenient for those travelling to midtown or uptown Manhattan or the north side of Brooklyn. Public transportation options include the Q70 bus/subway combo, although bus fares are relatively inexpensive as well.
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Frequently asked questions
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is located in East Elmhurst, Queens, New York City. It is about eight miles from midtown Manhattan.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is located in both Newark, Essex County, and Elizabeth, Union County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is about 9 miles west-southwest of Manhattan.
LaGuardia Airport opened on December 2, 1939, as the New York Municipal Airport.
















