LaGuardia Airport#Reconstruction

File:Bowery-and-Flushing-Bays-1886.png

Prior to human development, the coastlines of Bowery Bay and Flushing Bay converged at a natural point that comprised the eventual northern shoreline of Newtown, Queens. By 1858, the area was partially contained by the estate of Benjamin Pike Jr. based around what is today known as the Steinway Mansion, which was soon purchased and consolidated with other property by William Steinway.{{cite web |title=Steinway Mansion, Astoria, NY |website=The William Steinway Diary |url=https://americanhistory.si.edu/steinwaydiary/annotations/?id=1995 |publisher=The Smithsonian Institution}} In June 1886, Steinway opened a summer resort development known as Bowery Bay Beach on the peninsula. Originally featuring a bathing pavilion, beach, lawns, and boathouse, the resort was renamed North Beach and later expanded with the addition of Gala Amusement Park.{{cite web |title=Bowery Bay Beach or North Beach |url=https://americanhistory.si.edu/steinwaydiary/annotations/?id=955 |website=The William Steinway Diary |publisher=The Smithsonian Institution}}{{Cite news |date=November 29, 1964 |title=The Silver Anniversary of LaGuardia Airport |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1964/11/29/119076179.pdf}} By the turn of the century, North Beach's German-influenced development drew comparisons to Brooklyn's Coney Island. Its fortunes soon turned, however, as Prohibition in the United States and war-related anti-German sentiment presented significant challenges to the resort's profitability. These factors, combined with increased industrialization and pollution of the Queens waterfront, made the area untenable as a leisure destination, and it was abandoned at some point in the 1920s.

In April 1929, New York Air Terminals, Inc., announced plans to open a private seaplane base at North Beach later that summer.{{Cite news |date=April 15, 1929 |title=Air Terminals Plans Seaplane Bases Here |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1929/04/15/95925106.pdf |access-date=October 21, 2021}} The {{cvt|200|acre|adj=on}} facility was christened on June 15 and initially featured a {{cvt|2|acre|ha|adj=on}} concrete plateau connected to the water by a {{cvt|400|ft|m|adj=on}} amphibious aircraft ramp, with the former resort converted to a passenger terminal. Opening-day festivities for the new airport were attended by a crowd of 5,000, and included air races with Curtiss Seagulls and Sikorsky flying boats, a dedication address by Borough President George U. Harvey, and the commencement of airline service to Albany and Atlantic City by Coastal Airways and Curtiss Flying Service.{{Cite news |date=June 16, 1929 |title=Queens Plane Base Opened at Flushing |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1929/06/16/91819943.pdf |access-date=October 21, 2021}} One month later, service to Boston was launched using Savoia-Marchetti S.55 aircraft operated by Airvia.{{Cite news |date=July 22, 1929 |title=Airvia Opens Line Today |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1929/07/22/113329783.pdf |access-date=October 21, 2021}}

By 1930, the airport had been improved with hangars and night-illuminated runways,{{Cite news |date=November 8, 1930 |title=Lights Blaze Out at Queens Airport |page=19 |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1930/11/08/92111957.pdf |access-date=October 26, 2021}} and it housed seaplanes of the recently reorganized New York City Police Department Aviation Unit.{{Cite news |date=October 6, 1929 |title=Flying Police Back with Amazed Quarry |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1929/10/06/91962263.pdf |access-date=October 21, 2021}}{{Cite news |date=April 5, 1930 |title=Police Fliers Aid Stranded Seaplane |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1930/04/05/96086848.pdf |access-date=October 21, 2021}} On September 23, the site was renamed Glenn H. Curtiss Airport in honor of the New York aviation pioneer who had died one month earlier (not to be confused with the pre-existing Curtiss Field in nearby Garden City, nor a similarly renamed airport in Valley Stream). In a ceremony that same day, representatives from the forerunner to Trans World Airlines announced their bid to establish the nation's first transcontinental airmail route to the airport using Ford Trimotors; in attendance were Eleanor Roosevelt and Charles Lindbergh.{{Cite news |date=September 24, 1930 |title=Air-Mail Terminal in City Proposed |page=48 |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1930/09/24/118192119.pdf |access-date=October 21, 2021}}

On August 27, 1931, the airport welcomed the arrival of the world's then-largest airplane, the Dornier Do X, after a 10-month transatlantic journey.{{Cite news |date=August 28, 1931 |title=Do-X Lands in Bay |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1931/08/28/102259687.pdf |access-date=October 26, 2021}} Over 18,000 people visited the huge flying boat on its first day of static display,{{Cite news |date=August 30, 1931 |title=18,000 Jam Airport to View the Do-X |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1931/08/30/118420194.pdf |access-date=October 22, 2021}} and it remained in the city for nine months.{{Cite news |date=May 20, 1932 |title=Easy Take-Off From the Sound |page=3 |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1932/05/20/100743573.pdf |access-date=October 22, 2021}} While the Do X was ultimately a commercial failure, its presence demonstrated the viability of long-distance air travel terminating a mere 20-minute drive from Manhattan. Likewise, this centralized location also enabled the airport to host hourly air taxi services between Newark and Brooklyn's Floyd Bennett Field that September.{{Cite news |date=September 4, 1931 |title=Plane 'Ferry' Service Links City's Airports |page=21 |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1931/09/04/118228189.pdf |access-date=October 26, 2021}}

While Curtiss Field was quickly becoming a magnet of aviation, Newark Airport remained the primary terminal for New York City-bound passengers and mail. The city's lack of its own central airport lingered as the 1930s wore on, especially as discussion grew regarding the commercial viability of privately operated fields.{{Cite news |last=Lyman |first=Lauren |date=January 18, 1931 |title=Aviation Seeks Solution of Airport Cost Problems |page=132 |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1931/01/18/98314959.pdf |access-date=October 27, 2021}}

File:Ny-airports-wpa-poster.jpg poster advertising the newly built air terminals of New York City]]

The 1934 election of mayor Fiorello La Guardia ushered in a new era of public investment in New York City's airports. LaGuardia had been a long-time aviation advocate; in a 1927 editorial penned while serving as a US representative of New York, he criticized both the federal and state governments' slow progress in establishing municipal airports in the city. Although several potential sites had been identified, LaGuardia mainly pushed for the transformation of Governors Island into a combined airport and seaplane base. "No greater monument to the life and activity of the Republic can be imagined," he wrote, painting it as a teeming transportation hub at the extreme center of the city.{{Cite news |date=August 7, 1927 |title=A Governors Island Airport Again is Urged |page=172 |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1927/08/07/95016757.pdf |access-date=October 26, 2021}} Military and shipping concerns eventually shut down the proposal,{{Cite news |date=January 6, 1928 |title=Governors Island Opposed as Airport |page=16 |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1928/01/06/118335140.pdf |access-date=October 27, 2021}}{{Cite news |date=June 17, 1936 |title=Airport in Harbor Held Unfeasible |page=25 |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1936/06/17/85403889.pdf |access-date=October 27, 2021}} but LaGuardia and industry leaders maintained consensus that New York City needed a central "express" airport to complement the farther-flung Floyd Bennett Field, which it completed in 1930.{{Cite news |date=January 2, 1928 |title=East River Favored as Seaplane Port |page=62 |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1928/01/02/91455985.pdf |access-date=October 27, 2021}}{{Cite news |date=November 23, 1933 |title=LaGuardia Offers City Airport Plan |page=2 |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1933/11/23/90654861.pdf |access-date=October 27, 2021}}

While the Governors Island proposal was being litigated, LaGuardia also saw development potential in Curtiss Airport. Under his administration, the city entered a five-year contract with its owners, agreeing to lease the field for $1 per year, with an option to purchase the property for $1,500,000 ({{Inflation|index=US|value=1500000|start_year=1936|fmt=eq}}).{{Cite news |date=December 5, 1934 |title=City Takes Lease on Queens Airport |page=25 |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1934/12/05/94584759.pdf |access-date=October 27, 2021}} The airport was officially dedicated Municipal Airport 2 on January 5, 1935. At a key ceremony that day, LaGuardia also received a signed lease from Trans World Airlines (TWA) for hangar space at Floyd Bennett Field—making it the first major US airline to serve New York City directly.{{Cite news |date=January 6, 1935 |title=Expanded Air Facilities Pledged by Mayor at Airport Dedication |work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1935/01/06/93663201.pdf |access-date=October 26, 2021}} While years would pass before TWA arrived at North Beach, LaGuardia had begun fulfilling one of his ultimate goals - extracting New York City from "the humiliating position of seeing all its passengers and mail traffic go to a nearby state."

The initiative to develop the airport for commercial flights began with an outburst by New York Mayor Fiorello La Guardia (in office from 1934 to 1945) upon the arrival of his TWA flight at Newark Airport – the only commercial airport serving the New York City region at the time – as his ticket said "New York". He demanded to be taken to New York, and ordered the plane to be flown to Brooklyn's Floyd Bennett Field, giving an impromptu press conference to reporters along the way. He urged New Yorkers to support a new airport within their city.{{cite news |last=Amon |first=Rhoda |date=May 13, 1998 |title=Major Airports Take Off / Mayor LaGuardia's complaint leads to an airport; but soon, another is needed |page=A17 |newspaper=Newsday |location=Long Island, New York |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/newsday/access/29457155.html |access-date=July 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016151735/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/newsday/doc/279134460.html?FMT=&FMTS=&type=current&date=&author=&pub=&edition=&startpage=&desc= |archive-date=October 16, 2015}}

American Airlines accepted LaGuardia's offer to start a trial program of scheduled flights to Floyd Bennett, although the program failed after several months because Newark's airport was closer to Manhattan. La Guardia went as far as to offer police escorts to airport limousines in an attempt to get American Airlines to continue operating the trial program.

File:LGA recheck compass jeh.jpg

During the Floyd Bennett experiment, LaGuardia and American executives began an alternative plan to build a new airport in Queens, where it could take advantage of the new Queens–Midtown Tunnel to Manhattan. The existing North Beach Airport was an obvious location, but much too small for the sort of airport that was being planned. With backing and assistance from the Works Progress Administration, construction began in 1937, it is on the waterfront of Flushing and Bowery Bays in East Elmhurst, and borders the neighborhoods of Astoria and Jackson Heights.{{cite web |title=12 WPA Projects that Still Exist |url=http://people.howstuffworks.com/12-wpa-projects-that-still-exist1.htm |work=How Stuff Works |date=September 16, 2007 |publisher=Publications International, Ltd. |access-date=March 11, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081212022432/http://people.howstuffworks.com/12-wpa-projects-that-still-exist1.htm |archive-date=December 12, 2008 |url-status=live}} Building on the site required moving landfill from Rikers Island, then a garbage dump, onto a metal reinforcing framework. The framework below the airport still causes magnetic interference on the compasses of outgoing aircraft; signs on the airfield warn pilots about the problem.{{cite news |title=La Guardia: New York City's Airport |first=Sebastian |last=Steinke |url=http://www.flug-revue.rotor.com/FRheft/FRHeft05/FRH0508/FR0508c.htm |work=Flug Review |date=August 2005 |access-date=July 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090518235708/http://www.flug-revue.rotor.com/FRheft/FRHeft05/FRH0508/FR0508c.htm |archive-date=May 18, 2009}}

Because of American's pivotal role in the development of the airport, LaGuardia gave the airline extra real estate during the airport's first year of operation, including four hangars, which was an unprecedented amount of space at the time.{{cite web |title=American Airlines Group, Inc. Reshuffles Flights at LaGuardia Airport – American Airlines is dropping flights in some markets with overcapacity to make room for seven new destinations |url=http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/09/17/american-airlines-group-inc-reshuffles-flights-at.aspx |work=fool.com |access-date=September 2, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920234855/http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/09/17/american-airlines-group-inc-reshuffles-flights-at.aspx |archive-date=September 20, 2015 |url-status=live}} American opened its first Admirals Club (and the first private airline club in the world) at the airport in 1939.Qubein, Ramsey. [https://www.forbes.com/sites/ramseyqubein/2021/12/15/airline-industrys-first-ever-airport-lounge-closes-its-doors-today-another-opens/ "Airline Industry's First-Ever Airport Lounge Closes Its Doors Today, Another Opens"], Forbes, December 15, 2021.Accessed July 2, 2022. "American Airlines is closing a page of airline history today when it closes its first-ever Admirals Club at New York LaGuardia airport. It is moving locations from concourse D to concourse A at terminal B. The original lounge first opened its doors in 1939." The club took over a large office space that had previously been reserved for the mayor, but he offered it for lease following criticism from the press, and American vice president Red Mosier immediately accepted the offer.{{cite web |title=Admirals Club History |url=http://www.aa.com.br/i18n/amrcorp/corporateInformation/facts/admiralshistory.jsp |work=American Airlines |access-date=September 2, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718051905/http://www.aa.com.br/i18n/amrcorp/corporateInformation/facts/admiralshistory.jsp |archive-date=July 18, 2012}}

File:Eleanor Roosevelt at LaGuardia Airport (1960).jpg at LaGuardia, 1960]]

The airport was dedicated on October 15, 1939, as the New York Municipal Airport,{{cite news |title=150,000 to see North Beach Opening Fete: Dedication Of Airport Tomorrow Is Hailed As Boon To Queens |url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252014%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201939%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201939%2520-%25201104.pdf&highlightsFile=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fultonhistory.com%2Fhighlighter%2Fhits%2F9548f72c8a3f14edcdbc518a8fadfb3e#page=1 |access-date=March 26, 2016 |work=Long Island Star-Journal |agency=Fultonhistory.com |date=October 14, 1939 |page=1}}{{cite news |title=150,000 To See North Beach Opening Fete: Dedication Of Airport Tomorrow Is Hailed As Boon To Queens |url=http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252014%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201939%2FLong%2520Island%2520City%2520NY%2520Star%2520Journal%25201939%2520-%25201105.pdf&highlightsFile=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fultonhistory.com%2Fhighlighter%2Fhits%2F17e13c260e18cbe32edf7e2b3f46db75#page=1 |access-date=March 26, 2016 |work=Long Island Star-Journal |agency=Fultonhistory.com |date=October 14, 1939 |page=2}} and opened for business on December 2 of that year. The modest North Beach Airport was transformed into a 550-acre (220-ha) state-of-the-art facility at a cost of $23 million to New York City. Not everyone shared La Guardia's enthusiasm for the project; some thought it was a $40 million waste of money. However, the concept of air travel itself captivated the public, and thousands of people went to the airport to see the planes take off and land in exchange for a dime. After two years, these fees and the parking they generated had already brought in $285,000. In addition, a total of $650,000 was made annually from non-travel-related sources such as restaurants. The airport was soon a financial success. A smaller airport in nearby Jackson Heights, Holmes Airport, was unable to prevent the expansion of the larger airport, and closed in 1940.{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/longislandairpor0000stof/page/85/mode/1up |title=Long Island Airports |first=Joshua |last=Stoff |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |isbn=9780738536767 |pages=85–86 |date=2004 |access-date=2024-06-05 |via=Internet Archive |url-access=registration}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle-amateur-pilots/148770030/ |title=Amateur Pilots See Hope in New Airport Proposal |newspaper=Brooklyn Eagle |page=23 |date=1940-12-20 |access-date=2024-06-05 |via=Newspapers.com}}

Newark Airport began renovations, but could not keep up with the new Queens airport, which TIME called "the most pretentious land and seaplane base in the world". Even before the project was completed, LaGuardia had won commitments from the five largest airlines (Pan American Airways, American, United, Eastern Air Lines, and Transcontinental and Western Air) to begin using the new field as soon as it opened.{{cite news |title=La Guardia's Coup |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,760199,00.html |magazine=Time |date=September 12, 1938 |access-date=July 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120721235340/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,760199,00.html |archive-date=July 21, 2012 |url-status=dead}} Pan Am's transatlantic Boeing 314 flying boats moved to La Guardia from Port Washington in 1940. During World War II, the airport was used to train aviation technicians and as a logistics field. Transatlantic landplane airline flights started in late 1945; some continued after Idlewild (now John F. Kennedy International) opened in July 1948, but the last ones shifted to Idlewild in April 1951.

Newspaper accounts alternately referred to the airfield as New York Municipal Airport and LaGuardia Field until the modern name was officially applied when the airport moved to Port of New York Authority control under a lease with New York City on June 1, 1947.

LaGuardia opened with four runways at 45°-degree angles to each other,{{cite web |title=La Guardia Airport, N.Y. |url=http://digitalcollections.archives.nysed.gov/index.php/Detail/Object/Show/object_id/25946 |work=New York State Archives |date=September 26, 1947 |access-date=July 7, 2012}} the longest (13/31) being {{cvt|6000|ft|m}}. Runway 18/36 was closed soon after a United DC-4 ran off the south end in 1947; runway 9/27 (4,500 ft) was closed around 1958, allowing LaGuardia's terminal to expand northward after 1960. Around 1961, runway 13/31 was shifted northeastward to allow construction of a parallel taxiway (such amenities being unknown when LGA was built), and in 1965–66, both remaining runways were extended to their present {{cvt|7000|ft|m}}.

The April 1957 Official Airline Guide shows 283 weekday fixed-wing departures from LaGuardia: 126 American, 49 Eastern, 33 Northeast, 31 TWA, 29 Capital, and 15 United. American's flights included 26 nonstops to Boston and 27 to Washington National (mostly Convair 240s).{{Citation |year=1957 |title=Official Airline Guide |publisher=American Aviation Publications |location=Washington DC}} Jet flights (United 727s to Cleveland and Chicago) started on June 1, 1964.

File:LGA seen from runway 13.jpg

Although LaGuardia was a large airport for the era in which it was built, it soon became too small. Starting in 1968, general-aviation aircraft were charged heavy fees to operate from LaGuardia during peak hours, driving many LGA operators to airports such as Teterboro Airport in Teterboro, New Jersey. The increase in traffic at LaGuardia and safety concerns prompted the closure of nearby Flushing Airport in 1984. Also in 1984, to further combat overcrowding at LGA, the Port Authority instituted a Sunday-thru-Friday "perimeter rule" banning nonstop flights from LaGuardia to cities more than {{cvt|1500|mi|km}} away; at the time, Denver was the only such city with nonstop flights, and it became the only exception to the rule. (In 1986, Western Airlines hoped to fly 737-300s nonstop to Salt Lake City, and unsuccessfully challenged the rule in federal court.) Later, the Port Authority also moved to connect JFK and Newark Airport to regional rail networks with the AirTrain Newark and AirTrain JFK, in an attempt to make these more distant airports competitive with LaGuardia.{{cite web |title=Air Traffic Congestion in the New York–New Jersey Metropolitan Region |first=William R. |last=DeCota |url=http://www.house.gov/transportation/aviation/07-16-01/decota.html |work=United States House of Representatives |date=June 16, 2001 |access-date=July 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030326031525/http://www.house.gov/transportation/aviation/07-16-01/decota.html |archive-date=March 26, 2003}} In addition to these local regulations, the Federal Aviation Administration also limited the number of flights and types of aircraft that could operate at LaGuardia.

LaGuardia's traffic continued to grow. By 2000, the airport routinely experienced overcrowding delays, many more than an hour long. That year, Congress passed legislation to revoke the federal traffic limits on LaGuardia by 2007. The reduced demand for air travel following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York City quickly slowed LaGuardia's traffic growth, helping to mitigate the airport's delays. Ongoing Port Authority investments to renovate the Central Terminal Building and improve the airfield layout have also made the airport's operations more efficient in recent years.

File:LA GUARDIA AIRPORT,QUEENS, NY ,USA - panoramio.jpg

The FAA approved instrument departure procedure "Whitestone Climb" and the "Expressway Visual Approach to Runway 31".{{When|date=October 2017}} When adopting the Expressway Approach, when the aircraft crosses the intersection of the Brooklyn Queens Expressway and the Long Island Expressway in Long Island City, it turns northeast on 85° and follows the Long Island Expressway, after reaching Flushing Meadow Park, the aircraft executes a 135° left turn over the Flushing Bay and joins the final approach to the runway 31. When adopting Whitestone Climb, aircraft circle over Flushing and head to Whitestone Bridge on the north upon takeoff from runway 13. Such patterns aim to reduce the noise,{{cite report |author1=Scott, Ronald W. |author2=McConkey, Edwin D. |title=An avionics sensitivity study. Volume 1: Operational considerations |url=https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/42878582.pdf |year=1976}} avoid the traffic of the JFK Airport, and maximize the air-traffic capacity in the New York TRACON.{{cite book |author1=AhmadBeygi, S |author2=Bromberg, E |author3=Elliott, M |author4=Lewis, T. |author5=Sud, V. |title=2013 Integrated Communications, Navigation and Surveillance Conference (ICNS) |chapter=Capability-aware traffic flow management for metroplex environments |year=2013 |pages=1–13 |publisher=IEEE |isbn=978-1-4673-6253-5 |doi=10.1109/ICNSurv.2013.6548558 |s2cid=18938883 |chapter-url=https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/6548558}}{{cite journal |author1=Boan, Linda M |author2=Arlene M. Cooper |author3=Heather L. Danner |author4=Jonathan Hoffman |author5=Jennifer L. Reese |title=Operational Analysis of Mitigation of the NY/NJ/PHL Airspace Redesign |journal=MITRE Product MP070049, Center for Advanced Aviation System Development, MITRE |location=McLean, VA |year=2007 |publisher=Federal Aviation Administration |url=https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/nas_redesign/regional_guidance/eastern_reg/nynjphl_redesign/documentation/feis/appendix/media/Appendix_O-OperationalAnalysisofMitigationoftheNYNJPHLAi~1DD.pdf}} LGA and JFK approach airspaces borders around the Belmont Park.{{cite web|author=Alexander David Donaldson|title=Improvement of Terminal Area Capacity in the New York Airspace|url=https://dspace.mit.edu/bitstream/handle/1721.1/62877/722506998-MIT.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y|publisher=MIT|year=2011}}

In late 2006, construction began to replace the Wallace Harrison-designed air traffic control tower built in 1962 with a more modern one. The tower began operations on October 9, 2010.{{cite news |title=New Control Tower Up and Running at LaGuardia |first=Stacey |last=Altherr |url=http://www.newsday.com/long-island/new-control-tower-up-and-running-at-laguardia-1.2348984 |newspaper=Newsday |date=October 10, 2010 |access-date=April 6, 2011 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013071201/http://www.newsday.com/long-island/new-control-tower-up-and-running-at-laguardia-1.2348984 |archive-date=October 13, 2012 |url-status=live}}

On August 12, 2009, Delta Air Lines and US Airways announced a landing slot and terminal swap in separate press releases. Under the swap plan, US Airways would have given Delta 125 operating slot pairs at LaGuardia. US Airways, in return, would have received 42 operating slot pairs at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Crystal City, Virginia, and be granted the authority to begin service from the US to São Paulo, Brazil, and Tokyo, Japan. When the swap plan was complete, Delta Shuttle operations would have moved from the Marine Air Terminal to Terminal C (the present US Airways terminal), and Terminals C and D would have been connected together. US Airways Shuttle flights would have moved to the Marine Air Terminal, and mainline US Airways flights would have moved to Terminal D (the present Delta terminal).{{cite press release |title=Delta Reinforces New York Commitment with Plan for Domestic Hub at LaGuardia Airport |url=http://news.delta.com/index.php?s=43&item=751 |publisher=Delta Air Lines |date=August 12, 2009 |access-date=August 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090816161628/http://news.delta.com/index.php?s=43&item=751 |archive-date=August 16, 2009 |url-status=live}}{{cite press release |title=US Airways Announces Slot Transaction With Delta Air Lines |url=http://www2.usairways.com/en-US/aboutus/pressroom/Aug09_announcement.html |publisher=US Airways |date=August 12, 2009 |access-date=August 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826145300/http://www2.usairways.com/en-US/aboutus/pressroom/Aug09_announcement.html |archive-date=August 26, 2009 |url-status=live}} The deal would allow Delta to create a domestic hub at LaGuardia.{{cite news | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/13/nyregion/13laguardia.html | title = Delta to Increase Service at La Guardia | author = James Barron | newspaper = The New York Times | date = August 12, 2009 | accessdate = August 25, 2023}}

The United States Department of Transportation announced that it would approve the Delta–US Airways transaction under the condition that they sell slots to other airlines. Delta and US Airways dropped the slot swap deal in early July 2010, and both airlines filed a court appeal.{{cite news |title=Delta and US Airways Drop Slot Swap |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=11075353 |agency=Associated Press |work=ABC News |date=July 2, 2010 |access-date=August 5, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100823192854/https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=11075353 |archive-date=August 23, 2010 |url-status=live}} In May 2011, both airlines announced that they would resubmit their proposal of the slot swap to the US DOT. It was tentatively approved by the US DOT on July 21, 2011.{{cite press release |title=DOT Proposes to Grant Delta/US Airways Slot Waiver with Conditions |url=http://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/dot-proposes-grant-deltaus-airways-slot-waiver-conditions#sthash.W0BaWh8X.dpuf |publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation |date=July 21, 2011 |access-date=August 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017161527/http://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/dot-proposes-grant-deltaus-airways-slot-waiver-conditions#sthash.W0BaWh8X.dpuf |archive-date=October 17, 2015 |url-status=dead}} The slot swap received final approval from the US DOT on October 10, 2011.{{cite press release |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/delta-and-us-airways-welcome-dot-approval-of-slot-transaction-131820273.html |title=Delta and US Airways Welcome DOT Approval of Slot Transaction |publisher=PR Newswire |date=October 13, 2011 |access-date=June 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713220605/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/delta-and-us-airways-welcome-dot-approval-of-slot-transaction-131820273.html |archive-date=July 13, 2012 |url-status=live}}

On December 16, 2011, Delta Air Lines announced plans to open a new domestic hub at LaGuardia Airport. The investment was the largest single expansion by any carrier at LaGuardia in decades, with flights increasing by more than 60%, and destinations by more than 75%. By summer 2013, Delta increased operations to 264 daily flights between LaGuardia and more than 60 cities, more than any other airline at LaGuardia.{{cite press release |title=Delta Unveils Schedule for New Domestic Hub at New York's LaGuardia Airport |url=http://news.delta.com/index.php?s=43&item=1517 |publisher=Delta Air Lines |date=December 16, 2011 |access-date=July 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511150548/http://news.delta.com/index.php?s=43&item=1517 |archive-date=May 11, 2012 |url-status=live}}

In November 2019, Southwest Airlines ended service to Newark, primarily due to the Boeing 737 MAX groundings, poor performance, and inadequate facilities, and consolidated its New York–area operations to LaGuardia and Islip.{{cite web|last1=Goldman|first1=Jeff|date=July 25, 2019|publisher=Advance Local Media LLC|url=https://www.nj.com/news/2019/07/southwest-airlines-to-cease-flights-from-newark-airport.html|title=Southwest Airlines to cease flights from Newark airport}}

File:LaGuardia Airport 202010.jpg

In April 2010, Port Authority director Christopher Ward announced that the agency had hired consultants to explore a full demolition and rebuilding of LaGuardia's Central Terminal. The project would create a unified, modern, and efficient plan for the airport, currently an amalgam of decades of additions and modifications. The project, expected to cost $2.4 billion, was to include the demolition of the existing central terminal building and its four concourses, garage, hangar 1, and frontage roads; building temporary facilities, and designing and building a new central terminal building.{{cite news |last=Worrell |first=Carolina |date=August 2, 2013 |title=4 Teams Shortlisted for $2.4B LaGuardia Terminal Building Replacement |work=ENR New York |publisher=Dodge Data & Analytics |url=http://newyork.construction.com/new_york_construction_news/2013/0802-4-Teams-Shortlisted-for-24B-LaGuardia-Terminal-Building-Replacement.asp |url-status=live |access-date=August 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017161526/http://newyork.construction.com/new_york_construction_news/2013/0802-4-Teams-Shortlisted-for-24B-LaGuardia-Terminal-Building-Replacement.asp |archive-date=October 17, 2015}} The rebuilding would be staged in phases in order to maintain operations throughout the project.{{cite news |last=Feiden |first=Doug |date=April 28, 2010 |title=Port Authority chief: Tear down Queens' La Guardia Airport |newspaper=New York Daily News |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/04/28/2010-04-28_port_authority_chief_tear_down_laguardia_airport.html |url-status=live |access-date=April 28, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100430120257/http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/04/28/2010-04-28_port_authority_chief_tear_down_laguardia_airport.html |archive-date=April 30, 2010}}

Proposals were due on January 31, 2012. Patrick Foye, executive director of the Port Authority, said, "It's got a quaint, nostalgic but unacceptable kind of the 1940s, 1950s feel that's just not acceptable."{{cite news |last=Hawley |first=Chris |date=February 1, 2012 |title=World Trade Center Design Flaw Could Cost Millions |newspaper=News & Record |agency=Associated Press |url=http://www.news-record.com/content/2012/02/01/article/world_trade_center_design_flaw_could_cost_millions |url-status=dead |access-date=February 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120903193520/http://www.news-record.com/content/2012/02/01/article/world_trade_center_design_flaw_could_cost_millions |archive-date=September 3, 2012}} The Port Authority was seeking a private company to develop and operate the replacement terminal with private funds, similar to how Delta operates the other terminals at the airport. However, in January 2014, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a plan for the state to oversee the construction of the long-stalled new terminal project instead of the proposed public-private partnership.{{cite news |date=January 8, 2014 |title=Gov. Cuomo: NY to do JFK, LaGuardia construction |work=Businessweek |url=http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2014-01-08/gov-dot-cuomo-ny-to-do-jfk-laguardia-construction |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140110100933/http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2014-01-08/gov-dot-cuomo-ny-to-do-jfk-laguardia-construction |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 10, 2014 |access-date=April 4, 2014}}

File:LGA Apr 2018 12.jpg

On July 27, 2015, Governor Cuomo, joined by then-Vice President Joe Biden, announced a $4 billion plan to rebuild the terminals as one contiguous building with terminal bridges connecting buildings. Airport officials and planners had concluded that the airport essentially had to be torn down and rebuilt.{{cite news |last1=McGeehan |first1=Patrick |date=July 27, 2015 |title=La Guardia Airport to Be Overhauled by 2021, Cuomo and Biden Say |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/28/nyregion/la-guardia-airport-to-be-rebuilt-by-2021-cuomo-and-biden-say.html |url-status=live |access-date=July 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150728040717/http://www.nytimes.com//2015//07//28//nyregion//la-guardia-airport-to-be-rebuilt-by-2021-cuomo-and-biden-say.html |archive-date=July 28, 2015}}

Under the airport redevelopment plan disclosed in 2015, a single terminal building was to be constructed in stages, with a people mover, retail space, and a new hotel. Some {{cvt|2|mi}} of additional taxiways were to be built, and the Grand Central Parkway was to be reconfigured. A proposed high-speed ferry, if introduced, was to service the Marine Air Terminal, a national historic landmark, which will remain intact. An onsite tram had also been proposed to move passengers more quickly within the central terminal.{{Citation |last=NYGovCuomo |title=The vision for the comprehensive redesign of LaGuardia Airport |date=July 27, 2015 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TC7CrgJrCCc |access-date=October 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161102144658/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TC7CrgJrCCc |archive-date=November 2, 2016 |url-status=live}} The new airport is to be eco-friendly and contain accommodations such as a hotel of approximately 200 rooms and a business/conference center.{{cite report |last=Tishman |first=Dan |date=July 27, 2015 |url=https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/Airport_Advisory_Panel_Final_Report_LGA.pdf |title=A 21st Century Airport for the State of New York: The New LaGuardia |publisher=Airport Advisory Panel, The State of New York |access-date=August 27, 2015|display-authors=etal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821105314/https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/Airport_Advisory_Panel_Final_Report_LGA.pdf |archive-date=August 21, 2015 |url-status=live}} The entire airport will move {{cvt|600|ft}} closer to the Grand Central Parkway.{{cite news |date=July 27, 2015 |last=Nasr |first=Reem |title=NY Gov Cuomo details $4B overhaul for LaGuardia Airport |work=CNBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2015/07/27/ny-gov-cuomo-details-overhaul-for-laguardia-airport.html |url-status=live |access-date=July 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919135812/http://www.cnbc.com/2015/07/27/ny-gov-cuomo-details-overhaul-for-laguardia-airport.html |archive-date=September 19, 2015}}{{cite web |last=Barone |first=Vincent |date=December 3, 2018 |title=A breakdown of the LaGuardia Airport renovation |url=https://www.amny.com/transit/laguardia-airport-construction-explained-renovation-plans-timeline-funding-and-more-1.12268455 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215224226/https://www.amny.com/transit/laguardia-airport-construction-explained-renovation-plans-timeline-funding-and-more-1.12268455 |archive-date=December 15, 2018 |access-date=December 13, 2018 |website=am New York}} New parking garages replaced parking facilities between the existing terminals and Grand Central Parkway, creating space for the new facilities. By locating the terminals closer to the Grand Central Parkway, additional space for aircraft taxiways and hold areas was created, reducing ground delays. The runways themselves were not reconfigured.{{cite news |last=McGeehan |first=Patrick |date=July 27, 2015 |title=La Guardia Airport to Be Overhauled by 2021, Cuomo and Biden Say |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/28/nyregion/la-guardia-airport-to-be-rebuilt-by-2021-cuomo-and-biden-say.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822072631/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/28/nyregion/la-guardia-airport-to-be-rebuilt-by-2021-cuomo-and-biden-say.html |archive-date=August 22, 2015}}

Construction of the project's first phase started in spring of 2016, once final plans were approved by the Port Authority board, with the entire redevelopment scheduled to be completed by late 2022.{{cite web |last=Plitt |first=Amy |date=June 14, 2016 |title=New looks at LaGuardia Airport's $4B, '21st-century' revamp |url=http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/14/11938312/new-york-laguardia-airport-overhaul-begins |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005215235/http://ny.curbed.com/2016/6/14/11938312/new-york-laguardia-airport-overhaul-begins |archive-date=October 5, 2016 |access-date=October 5, 2016 |website=Curbed NY}} Terminal B would be demolished, and Delta would rebuild its terminals C and D in coordination with the plan. The new airport was to feature an island gate system, with passengers connecting between the terminal building and the gates via bridges that would be high enough for aircraft to taxi under.{{cite press release |author=Governor's Press Office |title=Governor Cuomo Unveils Vision For Transformative Redesign of LaGuardia Airport |date=July 27, 2015 |location=Albany, New York |publisher=New York State |url=https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-unveils-vision-transformative-redesign-laguardia-airport |access-date=August 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150829084758/http://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-unveils-vision-transformative-redesign-laguardia-airport |archive-date=August 29, 2015 |url-status=live}} In late March 2016, the comprehensive plans for the redevelopment were approved unanimously between the Port Authority of New York, New Jersey, and LaGuardia Gateway Partners for the Terminal B Project.{{cite web |title=$4 billion redevelopment of aging LaGuardia Airport approved |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2016-03-24/4-billion-redevelopment-of-aging-laguardia-airport-approved |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902091424/https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2016-03-24/4-billion-redevelopment-of-aging-laguardia-airport-approved |archive-date=September 2, 2017 |access-date=September 2, 2017 |work=U.S. News & World Report}}{{cite web |title=The Multi-Billion Dollar LaGuardia Redevelopment Has Been Approved |url=http://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2016-03-25/the-multi-billion-laguardia-redevelopment-has-been-approved |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402094525/http://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2016-03-25/the-multi-billion-laguardia-redevelopment-has-been-approved |archive-date=April 2, 2016 |access-date=April 1, 2016 |work=Condé Nast Traveler |date=March 25, 2016}} Construction costs were estimated to range from $4 billion to $5.3 billion.{{cite web |date=March 24, 2016 |title=LaGuardia Renovation – Port Authority New York New Jersey |url=http://therealdeal.com/2016/03/24/will-laguardia-cost-5-3b-or-4b-depends-on-your-math/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330010051/http://therealdeal.com/2016/03/24/will-laguardia-cost-5-3b-or-4b-depends-on-your-math/ |archive-date=March 30, 2016 |access-date=April 1, 2016 |work=The Real Deal New York}} In August 2017, Magic Johnson Enterprises and Loop Capital created a joint venture named JLC Capital to invest in Phase 2 of LaGuardia Airport's reconstruction.{{Cite news |last=Parry |first=Bill |date=August 11, 2017 |title=Magic Johnson's firm invests in LaGuardia Airport reconstruction |language=en |work=TimesLedger |url=http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2017/32/cuomolga_2017_08_11_q.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902044539/http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2017/32/cuomolga_2017_08_11_q.html |archive-date=September 2, 2017}} The same month, Delta broke ground on the last phase of the airport's reconstruction.{{cite web |last=Warerkar |first=Tanay |date=August 8, 2017 |title=LaGuardia Airport's new Delta terminals get renderings |url=https://ny.curbed.com/2017/8/8/16115348/laguardia-airport-delta-interior-renderings |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406041404/https://ny.curbed.com/2017/8/8/16115348/laguardia-airport-delta-interior-renderings |archive-date=April 6, 2018 |access-date=April 5, 2018 |website=Curbed NY}}{{cite web |date=August 8, 2017 |title=$4 billion construction on LaGuardia's new Delta terminal takes flight |url=https://www.metro.us/news/local-news/new-york/delta-cuomo-break-ground-new-laguardia-terminal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406041559/https://www.metro.us/news/local-news/new-york/delta-cuomo-break-ground-new-laguardia-terminal |archive-date=April 6, 2018 |access-date=April 5, 2018 |website=Metro US}} On December 9, 2017, six airlines moved at LGA in anticipation of the new terminals. Alaska Airlines (originally Virgin America) and JetBlue moved to the Marine Air Terminal. American consolidated in Terminal B. Frontier and Spirit depart from Terminal C and arrive at Terminal D.{{Cite news |title=6 airlines at LaGuardia Airport changing terminals this weekend |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/6-airlines-laguardia-airport-changing-223750405.html |url-status=live |access-date=February 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207140854/https://www.yahoo.com/news/6-airlines-laguardia-airport-changing-223750405.html |archive-date=December 7, 2017}} Since the move, there have been further changes with Alaska Airlines ending service to LaGuardia, JetBlue moving all but Boston flights to Terminal B, and Spirit consolidating its operations in Terminal A.{{cite web |url=https://laguardiaairport.com/flight/airlines |title=Aviation}}

LaGuardia Gateway Partners, which manages the construction of Terminal B, has completed most of the complex.{{cite web |title=Terminal Redevelopment |url=https://www.laguardiab.com/terminal-redevelopment |access-date=June 4, 2022 |website=LaGuardia B}} The first half of the seven-level West Parking Garage opened in February 2018, with 1,600 of 3,100 parking spaces being made available, and the rest of the garage was opened later that year.{{cite web |date=February 9, 2018 |title=New Parking Garage To Open in Part at LaGuardia Saturday |url=https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2018/02/09/laguardia-airport-parking/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216030834/https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2018/02/09/laguardia-airport-parking/ |archive-date=December 16, 2018 |access-date=December 13, 2018 |website=WCBS-TV}} Eleven new gates at Terminal B opened on December 1, 2018, and were used by Air Canada, American Airlines, and Southwest Airlines. Five additional gates opened on June 2, 2019, when United relocated most of its operations to the new concourse.{{cite news |date=November 29, 2018 |title=LGA's First New Concourse Set to Open This Weekend |url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/LaGuardia-Airports-First-New-Concourse-is-Finally-Open-501589051.html |access-date=November 30, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130212228/https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/LaGuardia-Airports-First-New-Concourse-is-Finally-Open-501589051.html |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |agency=Associated Press |website=WNBC}}{{cite web |date=November 29, 2018 |title=LaGuardia opening 11 new Terminal B gates |url=https://www.amny.com/transit/laguardia-airport-construction-1.24045842 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130123354/https://www.amny.com/transit/laguardia-airport-construction-1.24045842 |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |access-date=November 30, 2018 |website=am New York}}{{cite web |last=Rivoli |first=Dan |date=November 29, 2018 |title=NYC's LaGuardia Airport's new concourse to open for fliers Saturday |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-metro-laguardia-airport-cuomo-20181129-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130150126/https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-metro-laguardia-airport-cuomo-20181129-story.html |archive-date=November 30, 2018 |access-date=November 30, 2018 |website=New York Daily News}} The new space included a concourse with a {{cvt|55|ft|m|-tall|adj=mid}} ceiling, food concessions, an FAO Schwarz toy store, and an indoor play area. The new headhouse at Terminal B opened on June 13, 2020, along with the new connector to the Eastern Concourse. On August 5, 2020, American opened the first seven gates of the Western Concourse, with ten additional gates and the bridge connector scheduled to open at the end of 2021.{{cite web |date=August 5, 2020 |title=Construction Updates |url=https://www.laguardiab.com/construction-updates |access-date=August 10, 2020 |website=LaGuardia Gateway Partners |archive-date=August 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806124146/https://www.laguardiab.com/construction-updates |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |date=June 10, 2020 |title=LaGuardia Airport's new Terminal B main entrance set to open this weekend |website=WABC-TV |url=https://abc7ny.com/6240484/ |access-date=June 10, 2020}} The second bridge connecting to Terminal B was later completed and opened to the public on January 27, 2022.

On the east side of the airport, Delta is consolidating its Terminals C and D, into a centralized Terminal C headhouse, which is located on the former Terminal D parking site. In addition, Delta is rebuilding its airside facilities into four "finger" concourses.{{cite web |title=Terminal C |url=https://www.anewlga.com/about-the-project/terminal-c/ |access-date=June 4, 2022 |website=A New LGA |language=en}} The first concourse to open was Concourse G on the eastern end of the airport, which opened on October 29, 2019.{{cite web |date=October 29, 2019 |title=Delta Airlines opens new concourse at LaGuardia Airport in Queens |url=https://abc7ny.com/5655686/ |access-date=October 29, 2019 |website=WABC-TV |language=en}}{{cite web |date=October 29, 2019 |title=New Delta Concourse Opens at LGA Tuesday |url=https://www.ny1.com/nyc/queens/news/2019/10/29/new-delta-concourse-opens-at-lga-tuesday |access-date=October 29, 2019 |website=NY1 |language=en}} Delta Shuttle flights moved to the Concourse G on November 16, 2019.{{cite web |date=December 8, 2019 |title=Delta Shuttle to depart from airline's first new LGA concourse beginning Nov. 16 |url=https://news.delta.com/delta-shuttle-depart-airline-s-first-new-lga-concourse-beginning-nov-16 |access-date=February 24, 2020 |website=Delta News Hub |language=en}} On June 4, 2022, Delta unveiled its new Terminal C headhouse to the public in tandem with concourse E, which boasts 10 narrow body gates.{{cite web |date=June 4, 2022 |title=Delta Airlines' new Terminal C opens to travelers at LaGuardia Airport |url=https://abc7ny.com/laguardia-airport-terminal-c-renovation-unveiled/11926467/ |access-date=June 4, 2022 |website=WABC-TV |language=en}} The Terminal C headhouse consolidates the former Terminal C and D's security checkpoint into 11 lanes, which if necessary, can be expanded to 16 lanes. Other features include a dedicated drop-off area for carry-on-only passengers, biometric scanning technology, a sensory room designed for those with autism, and Delta's largest Sky Club to date.{{cite web |date=June 2, 2022 |title=Delta's Stunning New Terminal at LaGuardia Will Make You Want to Show Up to the Airport Early |url=https://www.cntraveler.com/story/delta-new-terminal-laguardia |access-date=June 4, 2022 |website=Condé Nast Traveler |language=en}}

As of June 2022, Delta was in the process of replacing Terminal D's gates and would start construction of Concourse D.{{cite web |date=June 2, 2022 |title=I toured Delta's brand new $4 billion Terminal C at New York's LaGuardia Airport and now I can't wait to fly out of it as a passenger |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/see-inside-deltas-brand-new-4-billion-terminal-laguardia-airport-2022-6 |access-date=June 4, 2022 |website=Business Insider |language=en}} Delta is fast-tracking its remaining projects at Terminal C due to the impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, which allowed the airline to use the decrease in passage traffic to speed up construction by two years.{{cite web |date=October 5, 2021 |title=Delta is months away from debuting its new $3.9 billion terminal at New York's LaGuardia Airport with 37 gates and its largest lounge ever |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/tour-of-deltas-new-39-billion-terminal-at-laguardia-airport-under-construction-2021-10 |access-date=June 4, 2022 |website=Business Insider |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Sheets |first=Hilarie M. |date=June 10, 2020 |title=Art That Might Make You Want to Go to La Guardia |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/10/arts/design/laguardia-terminal-b-artists.html |access-date=June 10, 2020 |issn=0362-4331}}

In March 2024, LaGuardia won the Airport Service Quality Award for "best airport of 25 to 40 million passengers in North America" in 2023.{{cite web | last=Timotija | first=Filip | title=LaGuardia, former laughingstock, ranked best midsize airport in US | website=The Hill | date=March 12, 2024 | url=https://thehill.com/policy/transportation/4526864-laguardia-ranked-best-midsize-airport/ | access-date=March 13, 2024}}

File:LaGuardia Airport (31752066092).jpg in the background, 2016]]

While LaGuardia frequently accommodates general aviation, the airport is primarily serviced by Part 121 scheduled air carriers providing passenger service to regional, domestic, and limited international destinations. Because of its congested nature and proximity to dense urban neighborhoods, commercial flights to and from the airport are subject to several restrictions enacted by both the FAA and the PANYNJ. The airport almost only ever handles narrow-body aircraft, though it can handle Airplane Design Group IV widebody aircraft such as the Boeing 767 and the Airbus A310, but aircraft in this group are rarely seen at LaGuardia.

LaGuardia, unlike JFK and Newark, does not have U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facilities. As such, international arrivals are only possible from airports serviced by United States border preclearance. Passengers and crewmembers on these flights clear customs at their departure airport, and for immigration purposes are considered to be on the US territory during their entire journey, allowing them to exit LaGuardia in the same manner as domestic travelers.{{cite web |last=Moran |first=Michael |date=February 27, 2020 |title=CBP Preclearance: "American Soil" Abroad |url=https://www.msuilr.org/new-blog/2020/2/27/cbp-preclearance-american-soil-abroad |access-date=October 28, 2021 |website=MSU International Law Review}}

To mitigate the impact of aircraft noise pollution and facilitate airfield maintenance, a seasonal curfew traditionally exists between the hours of 12{{Nbsp}}am and 6{{nbsp}}am during the warm months of the year.{{cite web |date=May 29, 2020 |title=2020 FAA NOTAM 05/136 |url=https://notams.aim.faa.gov/notamSearch/ |website=Federal Aviation Administration}} Additionally, a 1984 "perimeter rule" implemented by PANYNJ bars airline flights to and from points farther than {{cvt|1500|mi|km}}, except on Saturdays or to Denver, Colorado.{{cite web |last1=Gow |first1=Rachel |last2=Pearce |first2=Jonas |date=August 19, 2021 |title=On National Aviation Day, A Journey Back through PA Airport History |url=https://www.panynj.gov/port-authority/en/blogs/air/on-national-aviation-day--a-journey-back-through-pa-airport-hist.html |access-date=October 18, 2021 |website=www.panynj.gov}} Transcontinental (coast-to-coast) flights use JFK and Newark. With long-haul operations generally requiring heavier fuel loads and larger aircraft, the regulation aims to eliminate excess perceived noise generated by such flights. Changes to the perimeter rule were considered as recently as 2015,{{cite web |last=Mutzabaugh |first=Ben |title=LaGuardia 'perimeter rule' to go away? Maybe, report says |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/todayinthesky/2015/02/25/laguardia-perimeter-rule-to-go-away-maybe-report-says/24012295/ |access-date=October 18, 2021 |website=USA Today |language=en-US}} but a New York State Senate bill was introduced in 2021 with the intent of codifying the rule into law.{{cite web |date=December 28, 2020 |title=NY State Senate Bill S311 |website=NY State Senate |url=https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/s311 |access-date=October 18, 2021}}

As one of the United States' most-dense and congested class B airports, LaGuardia's IFR operations are governed by an FAA slot system.{{cite web |title=Subpart K – High Density Traffic Airports |url=https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/part-93/subpart-K |access-date=October 16, 2021 |website=Code of Federal Regulations}}{{cite web |title=Slot Administration |url=https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/systemops/perf_analysis/slot_administration/ |access-date=October 16, 2021 |website=Federal Aviation Administration}} Operators are granted time-sensitive individual takeoff and landing rights in accordance with the International Air Transport Association's Worldwide Airport Slot Guidelines.{{cite web |title=Worldwide Airport Slot Guidelines |url=https://www.iata.org/en/policy/slots/slot-guidelines/ |access-date=October 18, 2021 |website=www.iata.org |language=en}} In 2020, the FAA responded to drastic reductions in air traffic caused by the COVID-19 pandemic by suspending the expiration of unused slots at several US airports, including LaGuardia.{{cite web |date=March 16, 2020 |title=Orders Limiting Operations at John F. Kennedy International Airport and New York LaGuardia Airport |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/03/16/2020-05278/orders-limiting-operations-at-john-f-kennedy-international-airport-and-new-york-laguardia-airport |website=Federal Register |publisher=Federal Aviation Administration}}

LaGuardia has three active terminals (A, B, and C) with 72 gates.{{cite report |title=Upgrading to World Class: The Future of the Region's Airports Revisited |date=June 2018 |publisher=Regional Plan Association |url=https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/rpa-org/pdfs/RPA-Upgrading-to-World-Class-Revisited.pdf |first1=Richard |last1=Barone |first2=Alyssa |last2=Pichardo |first3=Jeffrey |last3=Zupan}}{{cite news |last1=Russell |first1=James S. |title=The New LaGuardia Is Haunted by the Mistakes of its Past |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2022-06-03/america-s-most-reviled-airport-reveals-a-flashy-new-look |access-date=June 7, 2022 |work=Bloomberg News |date=June 3, 2022 |language=en}} The terminals are all connected by buses and walkways. Signage throughout the terminals was designed by Paul Mijksenaar.{{cite web |title=New York and New Jersey Airports |work=Mijksenaar BV |url=http://www.mijksenaar.com/projects-quicktour/30-new_york_and_new_jersey_airports.html |access-date=May 18, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223232925/http://www.mijksenaar.com/projects-quicktour/30-new_york_and_new_jersey_airports.html |archive-date=February 23, 2012 |url-status=dead}} As with the other Port Authority airports, some terminals at LaGuardia are managed and maintained by airlines themselves. Terminal B was under direct Port Authority operation, but in 2016, operation of Terminal B was transferred to a private company, LaGuardia Gateway Partners.

LaGuardia is undergoing a multibillion-dollar redesign that resulted in a new Terminal B and a new Terminal C (encompassing the old Terminals C and D). Terminal A remains unchanged except for minor updates. The new layout will consist of new gate concourses, as well. The new Terminal B has two gate concourses referred to as the Western Concourse (Gates 11–31) and Eastern Concourse (Gates 40–59). The new Terminal C has four gate concourses (numbered 61–69, 71–79, 82–89, and 92–98).

{{Main|Marine Air Terminal}}

File:LaGuardia MarineAirTerminal 1974.jpg

Terminal A, known as the Marine Air Terminal (MAT), was the airport's original terminal for overseas flights. The waterfront terminal was designed to serve the fleet of flying boats, or Clippers, of Pan American Airways, America's main international airline throughout the 1930s and 1940s. When a Clipper landed in Long Island Sound, it taxied to a dock where passengers could disembark into the terminal. During World War II, new four-engine land planes were developed, and flying boats stopped carrying scheduled passengers out of New York after 1947. The last Pan American flight left the terminal in February 1952, bound for Bermuda.

Inside the terminal hangs Flight, a mural measuring {{cvt|12|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us}} in height and {{cvt|237|ft|sp=us}} in length; it was the largest mural created as part of the Great Depression–era Works Progress Administration (WPA).[http://www.panynj.gov/AboutthePortAuthority/PressCenter/PressReleases/PressRelease/index.php?id=610 Marine Air Terminal Rededicated on Anniversary of Airport's First Scheduled Flight] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061002213844/http://www.panynj.gov/AboutthePortAuthority/PressCenter/PressReleases/PressRelease/index.php?id=610 |date=October 2, 2006 }}, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey press release dated December 2, 2004 Completed by James Brooks in 1942, Flight depicts the history of humanity's involvement with flight. The mural was painted over without explanation by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in the 1950s, possibly because some saw left-wing symbolism in it.[http://www.library.fordham.edu/whatsnew/flights.html Flight: A Mural by James Brooks] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325003757/http://www.library.fordham.edu/whatsnew/flights.html |date=March 25, 2018 }}, accessed December 16, 2006 After an extensive restoration project headed by aviation historian Geoffrey Arend, the mural was rededicated in 1980.[http://www.panynj.gov/CommutingTravel/airports/html/lg_facts.html LaGuardia Airport – 65 Years of Service] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061215113617/http://www.panynj.gov/CommutingTravel/airports/html/lg_facts.html |date=December 15, 2006 }} from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, accessed December 16, 2006

In 1986, Pan Am restarted flights at the MAT with the purchase of New York Air's shuttle service between Boston, New York City, and Washington, D.C. In 1991, Delta Air Lines bought the Pan Am Shuttle and subsequently started service from the MAT on September 1. In 1995, the MAT was designated as a historic landmark. A $7 million restoration was completed in time for the airport's 65th anniversary of commercial flights on December 2, 2004. On December 9, 2017, JetBlue and Alaska Airlines relocated to the MAT, while Delta consolidated all Delta Shuttle flights to Terminal C.{{Cite news |url=https://nypost.com/2017/12/06/laguardia-airport-is-about-to-make-weekend-travel-so-much-worse/ |title=LaGuardia Airport is about to make weekend travel so much worse |date=December 6, 2017 |work=New York Post |access-date=December 7, 2017 |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207010119/https://nypost.com/2017/12/06/laguardia-airport-is-about-to-make-weekend-travel-so-much-worse/ |archive-date=December 7, 2017 |url-status=live}} On October 27, 2018, Alaska Airlines ended all service from LaGuardia Airport, leaving JetBlue as the terminal's only tenant. On April 28, 2021, Spirit Airlines started operating its Fort Lauderdale–bound flights from Terminal A.{{cite press release |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/spirit-Airlines-adds-three-new-popular-destinations-from-laguardia-announces-operations-out-of-a-second-terminal-301243595.html |title=Spirit Airlines Adds Three New Popular Destinations from LaGuardia, Announces Operations Out of a Second Terminal}} On July 20, 2021, JetBlue announced that they will be relocating from the MAT to Terminal B, a move they completed on July 9, 2022, with the relocation of Boston flights to Terminal B.{{cite web |title=JetBlue and American Airlines Partnership Makes it Easier Than Ever for Customers to Return to Travel with Largest Schedule, More Benefits and a Seamless Travel Experience |url=https://news.aa.com/news/news-details/2021/JetBlue-and-American-Airlines-Partnership-Makes-it-Easier-Than-Ever-for-Customers-to-Return-to-Travel-with-Largest-Schedule-More-Benefits-and-a-Seamless-Travel-Experience-NET-ALP-07/default.aspx |access-date=July 20, 2021 |website=news.aa.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite tweet |user=LGAairport |number=1544350893574946816 |title=Starting on Saturday, July 9, all @JetBlue flights at LaGuardia will operate out of Terminal B – including those to/from Boston.}}{{cite web |url=https://pix11.com/news/local-news/queens/jetblue-relocates-to-laguardia-airports-terminal-b/ |title=JetBlue relocates at LaGuardia Airport to Terminal B |publisher=PIX11 |date=July 8, 2022 |access-date=July 19, 2022 |archive-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713030437/https://pix11.com/news/local-news/queens/jetblue-relocates-to-laguardia-airports-terminal-b/ |url-status=dead }} On March 29, 2022, all flights operated by Spirit Airlines now operate out of the MAT. On September 13 of that year, Frontier Airlines moved all of its flights to Terminal A.{{Cite tweet |user=LGAAirport |number=1567483017421094914 |title=@FlyFrontier terminal change at #LGA: All flights moved to Terminal A starting Tuesday, September 13}} On April 10, 2024, Frontier moved all flights to Terminal B, leaving Spirit as the only airline operating at Terminal A.{{Cite tweet |user=LGAAirport|number=1778045613986197874|title=Starting TODAY, @FlyFrontier flights will be arriving and departing from Terminal B at @LGAairport. Please verify which terminal you are flying through before leaving for the airport.}}

File:Terminal B at LaGuardia Airport (1).jpg

Terminal B serves airlines that are not Spirit and Delta, and it functions as a large hub for American Airlines. In 2017, work started on the first of two new concourses, which replaced the old A, B, C, and D concourses. The new terminal was designed by Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum.{{cite web |url=https://www.hok.com/projects/view/laguardia-airport-new-terminalb/ |title=LaGuardia Airport New Terminal B}}

In 2020, the new Terminal B headhouse opened with a bridge connecting it to the completed Eastern Concourse. On January 27, 2022, a second bridge was completed, connecting Terminal B's headhouse to the Western Concourse.{{cite news |last=Ly |first=Laura |title=Passenger facilities at LaGuardia's multibillion-dollar Terminal B are officially complete |url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/laguardia-airport-terminal-b-completion-new-york/index.html |work=CNNTravel |date=January 27, 2021}} In 2022, the old Terminal B was demolished.

On October 31, 2021, JetBlue moved to Terminal B (except for flights to Boston), as the airline wanted to make connections easier with American Airlines due to the "Northeast Alliance" between them.[http://mediaroom.jetblue.com/investor-relations/press-releases/2021/10-29-2021-150012833 "JetBlue Expands at LaGuardia With Presence at Two Terminals and Significant Growth Made Possible by Its Northeast Alliance"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211216141221/http://mediaroom.jetblue.com/investor-relations/press-releases/2021/10-29-2021-150012833 |date=December 16, 2021 }}, JetBlue, press release dated October 29, 2021. Accessed July 2, 2022. "The airline will continue to operate in the historic Marine Air Terminal (Terminal A) but will also be expanding into LaGuardia's state-of-the-art Terminal B.... Terminal B is also home to American Airlines and will allow for convenient connections between the airlines within the same terminal. JetBlue's split operation at LaGuardia will continue until the airline fully relocates to Terminal B in the future." JetBlue's Boston flights moved to Terminal B on July 9, 2022.

File:Terminal B at LaGuardia Airport (2).jpg

Headhouse Floorplans:

Western Concourse (Gates 11–31)

Airlines that operate out of the Western Concourse include:

• American Airlines / American Eagle

Eastern Concourse (Gates 40–59)

On December 1, 2018, eleven gates at Terminal B's new Eastern Concourse opened. Five additional gates opened on June 2, 2019, allowing United Airlines to move all of its operations at LaGuardia to the new concourse. Airlines operating out of the Eastern Concourse include:

• Air Canada / Air Canada Express
• Frontier Airlines
• JetBlue
• Southwest Airlines
• United Airlines / United Express

File:LGATerminalCSecurity060622.jpg

The new Terminal C, designed by Corgan,{{cite web |url=https://www.corgan.com/projects/lga-laguardia-airfield-reconfiguration/ |title=Delta Air Lines Terminal C, LaGuardia Airport |publisher=Corgan.com |access-date=July 19, 2022}} opened on June 4, 2022, and connects to four concourses serving Delta Air Lines and Delta Connection flights. Three of these concourses are new (E, F and G) and one (D) is part of the original Terminal C and was refurbished while maintaining much of the structure. When completed, the new Terminal C will include access to 37 gates in its four concourses. The new Terminal C also has a Delta Sky Club, the airline's largest.

The Central Terminal Building (CTB) was originally six blocks long, and consisted of a four-story central section, two three-story wings, and four concourses (A, B, C, and D) with 40 aircraft gates. The $36 million facilities designed by Harrison and Abramovitz was dedicated on April 17, 1964.{{cite book |last1=White |first1=Norval |last2=Willensky |first2=Elliot |last3=Leadon |first3=Fran |title=AIA Guide to New York City |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t0gj61QSgk8C&pg=PA986 |access-date=February 7, 2013 |edition=5th |year=2010 |orig-year=1968 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=New York City |isbn=978-0-19-538385-0 |page=767 |chapter=Queens West}} Delta and US Airways left the CTB in 1983 and 1992 respectively for their own dedicated terminals on the east side of the airport. The Port Authority and various airlines carried out a $340 million improvement project in the 1990s to expand and renovate the existing space. The terminal was replaced by the new Terminal B, with the final gates (Concourse D) and terminal already demolished in early 2022.

File:Terminal C of LaGuardia Airport (23439339802).jpg

The original Terminal C (formerly known as the East End Terminal and USAir Terminal) was a {{cvt|300000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} facility that opened September 12, 1992, at a cost of $250 million. Designed by William Nicholas Bodouva + Associates Architects and Planners, it housed part of Delta's operations at LaGuardia. On June 4, 2022, Terminal C's check-in and baggage claim areas were closed.

The building was initially conceived in a 1989 agreement between the Port Authority and Texas Air Corporation (then-owner of Continental Airlines and Eastern Air Lines).{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/1989_20220220 |title=PANYNJ Annual Report – 1989 |date=April 12, 1990 |publisher=Port Authority of New York and New Jersey |page=27}} When Eastern was forcibly bankrupted by Texas Air, its assets—including the new terminal's leases—were transferred to Continental. Continental never moved in, and in turn, sold the leases (along with most of its LaGuardia slots) to US Airways as part of a bankruptcy restructuring.{{cite news |title=Continental to Sell 108 Slots at La Guardia for $61 Million |first=Edwin |last=McDowell |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/16/business/continental-to-sell-108-slots-at-la-guardia-for-61-million.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=November 16, 1991 |access-date=September 15, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090520055711/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/16/business/continental-to-sell-108-slots-at-la-guardia-for-61-million.html |archive-date=May 20, 2009 |url-status=live}} Trump Shuttle, successor to the Eastern Air Shuttle, also occupied the terminal before becoming US Airways Shuttle.

As a result of a slot-swap deal between Delta and US Airways, as of July 2012, Delta occupied the majority of the terminal (gates C15–C44). American (the former US Airways flights) operated some flights from gates C35–C44 until December 9, 2017. The eastern concourse connected to Terminal C has been closed and demolished (Gates C15-C24), and the construction of the new Concourse E has been completed. The new concourse opened to the public on June 4, 2022. This new concourse is numbered 70–79 for its gates. Although Delta originally planned to completely replace the western concourse, it instead opted to refurbish the interior while maintaining much of the structure. These gates have been renumbered 61-69.

File:New Concourse D, under construction, at LaGuardia Airport in Queens, New York (cropped).jpg

File:LaGuardia Airport - panoramio.jpg

Terminal D opened on June 19, 1983, at a cost of approximately $90 million, and was designed by William Nicholas Bodouva + Associates Architects to accommodate Delta Air Lines' new Boeing 757 and Boeing 767 aircraft.{{cite news |title=Delta Spreads Out at La Guardia |first=Agis |last=Salpukas |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/06/18/business/delta-spreads-out-at-la-guardia.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=June 18, 1983 |page=29 |access-date=September 15, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091120140650/http://www.nytimes.com/1983/06/18/business/delta-spreads-out-at-la-guardia.html |archive-date=November 20, 2009 |url-status=live}} This terminal also housed Northwest Airlines and Northwest Airlink from its opening in 1983 until the merger into Delta in 2009.

As of January 8, 2020, Delta Air Lines and Delta Connection operate out of the new Concourse G that was connected to Terminal D. Terminal D was connected to Terminal C by a 600-foot walkway, which opened in early 2013 as part of Delta's effort to build a hub at LaGuardia. As of September 1, 2020, however, the walkway between Terminals C and D was demolished.

As of June 4, 2022, Terminal D's check-in and baggage claim areas were closed. During the week of September 12–18, 2022, the central and eastern sections of Terminal D were demolished. The western end of Terminal D with a Delta Sky Club and gates 81–85 remained operational while the new Concourse F was constructed. After the eastern end of Concourse F fully opened, Terminal D shut down to allow installation for Concourse F's western gates. Once completed, the new concourse will use gate numbers 82–89.

Although there is no separate terminal building for general aviation aircraft a pseudo-terminal is operated within the Marine Air Terminal (Terminal A), which is currently run by Modern Aviation{{cite web |url=http://sheltairaviation.com/fbos/newyork |title=Sheltair Aviation Services – FBO at LaGuardia Airport (KLGA) |publisher=Sheltairaviation.com |access-date=July 27, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708043051/http://sheltairaviation.com/fbos/newyork}} providing full FBO services to private and charter aircraft owners-pilots including 100LL and Jet A fueling, computerized weather, and flight planning as well as pilot and passenger lounges. To access the General Aviation terminal an on-airport tenant must possess a SIDA (Security Identification Display Area) badge for unescorted access, transient aircraft owners-pilots and passengers must be escorted at all times into and out of the GA Terminal and to the ramp and hangar areas by the FBO staff.

Following the September 11 attacks, the Federal Aviation Administration changed the rules for the landing and departure of general aviation aircraft at LaGuardia. Pilots operating a non-scheduled instrument flight rules (IFR) flight are now required to make a reservation via the FAA's e-CVRS{{cite web |url=https://www.fly.faa.gov/ecvrs/ |title=e-CVRS |website=www.fly.faa.gov}} system no more than 72 hours prior to the flight's arrival or departure while public charter flights may make a reservation up to six months prior. Unscheduled IFR flights may only operate at LaGuardia with a reservation from the hours of 6:00 am to 9:59 pm local time Monday thru Friday and 12:00 pm to 9:59 pm local time on Sundays. Reservations for unscheduled IFR flights are not required all day on Saturdays. Aircraft without a reservation will be redirected to either Teterboro Airport or Linden Airport.

A private seaplane base, EDO {{airport codes|||4NY2}}, operates three waterways in Flushing Bay and the East River north of LaGuardia Airport.{{cite web |url=https://www.airnav.com/airport/4NY2 |title=EDO Seaplane Base |publisher=Airnav.com |date=August 13, 2020 |access-date=August 21, 2020}}

When New York Air was in operation, its headquarters were in Hangar 5 at LaGuardia.{{cite web |date=March 29, 1986 |title=World Airline Directory |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1986/1986%20-%200768.html?search=%22TranStar%22 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622023133/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1986/1986%20-%200768.html?search=%22TranStar%22 |archive-date=June 22, 2012 |access-date=July 7, 2012 |work=Flight International |quote=Head Office: Hangar 5, LaGuardia Airport, Flushing, NY 11371, USA}}

Law enforcement and Aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) services are provided by the Port Authority Police Department (PAPD). The agency's LaGuardia Airport Command (Building 137) was completed in 2010.{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/2010_20220220 |title=PANYNJ Annual Report – 2010 |date=August 1, 2011 |publisher=Port Authority of New York and New Jersey |page=15}} Emergency medical services are provided by North Shore University Hospital under contract to the Port Authority.

Overlooking the approach end of runway 4 is Planeview Park, a public park operated by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. The {{cvt|1.03|acre|ha|adj=on}} space{{cite web |title=Planeview Park Highlights : NYC Parks |url=https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/planeview-park/history |access-date=September 20, 2021 |website=www.nycgovparks.org}} contains park benches and lawns adjacent the Grand Central Parkway along the southern perimeter of the airport and is a prime viewing location for aircraft spotting.

{{Airport destination list

|3rdcoltitle=Refs | 3rdcolunsortable=yes

| Air Canada | Toronto–Pearson
Seasonal: Montréal–Trudeau{{cn|date=January 2025}} | {{cite web |title=Flight Schedules |url=https://beta.aircanada.com/us/en/aco/home/book/routes-and-partners/flight-schedules.html?acid=beta%7Credirect%7Caircanada.com%7CNoBar |access-date=January 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925064718/https://www.aircanada.com/us/en/aco/home/book/routes-and-partners/flight-schedules.html?acid=beta%7Credirect%7Caircanada.com%7CNoBar |archive-date=September 25, 2019 |url-status=live}}

| {{nowrap|Air Canada Express}} | Montréal–Trudeau, Toronto–Pearson |

| American Airlines | Boston, Charlotte, Chicago–O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, New Orleans,{{cite web |title=American Airlines Nov 2024 New York LaGuardia Domestic Network Additions |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240624-aanov24lga |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=24 June 2024}} Orlando, Raleigh/Durham, St. Louis, Tampa,{{cite press release|url= https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/american-adds-cool-new-caribbean-destination-cuts-miami-transcon-route-in-big-network-update/ar-BB1q1O1z?apiversion=v2&noservercache=1&domshim=1&renderwebcomponents=1&wcseo=1&batchservertelemetry=1&noservertelemetry=1 |title= American adds cool new Caribbean destination, cuts Miami transcon route in big network update |website=MSN|access-date=July 26, 2024}} Washington–National
Seasonal: Aruba,{{cite web|url= https://www.routesonline.com/airports/2361/aruba-airport-authority-nv/news/299663848/aruba-airport-winter-flight-schedule-updates/|title=Aruba Airport Winter Flight Schedule Updates|website=RoutesOnline|publisher=Informa Markets|date=December 3, 2024}} Bozeman (resumes June 7, 2025), Calgary (begins June 7, 2025),{{cite news |last1=Shon |first1=Stella |title=American Airlines Adds Flights to Quebec, Calgary, Bozeman, and More From These U.S. Hubs |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/american-airlines-adds-flights-quebec-174648790.html?guccounter=1 |access-date=24 December 2024 |work=Yahoo Life |publisher=Travel + Leisure |date=2024-12-23}} Fort Lauderdale (resumes November 2, 2025), Fort Myers,{{cite web |title= American Airlines adding two additional seasonal flights at RSW. Here's when and where info |url= https://www.news-press.com/story/news/2024/07/18/what-are-the-american-airline-routes-out-of-rsw-in-fort-myers/74426975007/ |website=News Press |access-date=25 July 2024}} Glacier Park/Kalispell (resumes June 7, 2025), Nashville{{cn|date=January 2025}} | {{cite web |title=Flight schedules and notifications |url=https://www.aa.com/travelInformation/flights/schedule |access-date=January 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202010611/https://www.aa.com/travelInformation/flights/schedule |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |url-status=live}}

| American Eagle | Asheville, Atlanta (resumes September 3, 2025),{{cite web|url= https://airlinegeeks.com/2025/05/03/american-adds-six-routes/|title= American Adds Six Routes|website=AirlineGeeks|date=May 3, 2025|access-date=May 5, 2025}} Boston, Buffalo, Burlington (VT) (resumes September 5, 2025), Charleston (SC) (resumes June 6, 2025),{{cite web |title=American Resumes 2 New York LaGuardia Domestic Routes in NS25 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250219-aans25lga |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=19 February 2025}} Charlottesville (VA), Cincinnati (ends September 2, 2025),{{cite web |title=American 2H25 New York LaGuardia Network Changes |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250505-aa2h25lga |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=5 May 2025}} Cleveland, Columbia (SC), Columbus–Glenn, Dayton (ends September 2, 2025), Des Moines, Detroit, Fayetteville/Bentonville, Greensboro, Greenville/Spartanburg, Indianapolis, Knoxville (ends November 1, 2025), Little Rock, Louisville (ends September 2, 2025), Madison (begins September 3, 2025), Memphis, Minneapolis/St. Paul (ends September 2, 2025), Nashville, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Omaha (ends September 2, 2025), Philadelphia (ends June 5, 2025),{{cite web|url= https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/bozeman-calgary-kalispell-halifax-and-quebec-city-shine-with-american-airlines-exciting-new-routes-connecting-the-us-and-canada/|title= Bozeman, Calgary, Kalispell, Halifax, and Quebec City Shine with American Airlines' Exciting New Routes Connecting the US and Canada |website=Travel and Tour World|date=December 22, 2024|access-date=January 4, 2025}} Pittsburgh, Portland (ME),{{cite web|url=https://news.aa.com/news/news-details/2023/American-Airlines-adds-more-ways-to-escape-to-the-Cape-and-coves-of-New-England-in-2024-NET-RTS-10/default.aspx|title=American Airlines adds more ways to escape to the Cape and coves of New England in 2024|website=American Airlines Newsroom|date=October 12, 2023|access-date=October 12, 2023}} Raleigh/Durham, Richmond, Roanoke, St. Louis, Toronto–Pearson, Tulsa, Washington–National, Wilmington (NC)
Seasonal: Bangor,{{cn|date=January 2025}} Grand Rapids,{{cn|date=January 2025}} Halifax,{{cn|date=January 2025}} Hyannis,{{cn|date=January 2025}} Key West,{{cn|date=January 2025}} Martha's Vineyard,{{cn|date=January 2025}} Myrtle Beach (resumes June 7, 2025), Montréal–Trudeau, Nantucket,{{cn|date=January 2025}} Pensacola,{{cn|date=January 2025}} Traverse City{{cn|date=January 2025}} |

| Delta Air Lines | Atlanta, Boston, Charleston (SC), Chicago–O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Houston–Intercontinental, Kansas City, Miami, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Nassau,{{cite web |title=Delta Resumes New York LaGuardia – Nassau From Dec 2023 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/230710-dldec23lganas |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=July 10, 2023}} New Orleans, Orlando, Sarasota, Tampa, West Palm Beach
Seasonal: Bozeman (resumes December 20, 2025),{{cite web |title=Delta NW25 New York Area Seasonal Routes Adjustment – 06APR25 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250407-dlnw25nyc |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=7 April 2025}} Salt Lake City{{cite web|url= https://www.travelandleisure.com/delta-expands-to-orlando-london-salt-lake-city-aruba-8667301|title= Delta Announces Exciting New Routes, Including Aruba, Orlando, London, and More|website=Travel and Leisure|date=June 21, 2024|access-date=June 21, 2024}} | {{cite web |title=Flight Schedules |url=https://www.delta.com/content/dam/delta-www/pdfs/flight_schedules.pdf |access-date=December 25, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414083714/https://www.delta.com/content/dam/delta-www/pdfs/flight_schedules.pdf |archive-date=April 14, 2018 |url-status=live}}

| Delta Connection | Albany, Asheville, Bangor, Birmingham (AL), Boston, Buffalo, Burlington (VT), Charleston (SC), Charlotte, Charlottesville (VA), Chattanooga,{{cite web | url=https://www.chattanoogapulse.com/citylife/day-trippin/chattanooga-airport-to-resume-nonstop-flights-to-new-york-la/ | title=Chattanooga Airport to Resume Nonstop Flights to New York City | date=August 3, 2024 }} Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbia (SC), Columbus–Glenn, Dayton, Des Moines, Fayetteville/Bentonville,{{cite web|url=https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/delta-bringing-non-stop-service-laguardia-xna/527-87ab730d-d996-467d-adb6-e4d80f2bd9ea|title=Delta bringing non-stop service from LaGuardia to XNA|publisher=5 News|date=January 16, 2024|accessdate=January 30, 2024}} Grand Rapids, Greensboro, Greenville/Spartanburg, Huntsville,{{cite web|url= https://airlinegeeks.com/2024/11/25/delta-plans-two-regional-routes/#|title=Delta Plans Two Regional Routes|publisher=AirlineGeeks|date=November 25, 2024|accessdate=November 25, 2024}} Indianapolis, Jacksonville (FL), Knoxville, Lexington,{{cite web|url=https://www.wkyt.com/2024/11/22/nonstop-flights-nyc-returning-blue-grass-airport/|title=Nonstop flights to NYC returning to Blue Grass Airport|publisher=WKYT|date=November 22, 2024|accessdate=November 22, 2024}} Little Rock, Louisville, Madison, Memphis, Milwaukee, Montréal–Trudeau, Myrtle Beach, Nashville, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Pensacola, Pittsburgh, Portland (ME), Raleigh/Durham, Richmond, Roanoke, Rochester (NY), St. Louis, Savannah, Syracuse, Toronto–Pearson, Tulsa,{{cite web |title=Delta Schedules New York LaGuardia – Tulsa Sep 2024 Launch |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240625-dlsep24lgatul |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=25 June 2024}} Washington–National, Wilmington (NC), Worcester
Seasonal: Halifax,{{cite web |title=Delta Resumes New York – Halifax Service From June 2024 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/231101-dlns24lgayhz |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=1 November 2023}}{{cite web |title=Non-Stop Flights - Halifax Stanfield International Airport |url=https://halifaxstanfield.ca/flights/non-stop/ |access-date=14 June 2024}} Hilton Head,{{cn|date=January 2025}} Key West,{{cn|date=January 2025}} Martha's Vineyard,{{cn|date=January 2025}} Nantucket,{{cn|date=January 2025}} Panama City (FL) (begins June 14, 2025),{{cite web|title=ECP announces new nonstop flight to iconic U.S. city|website=WJHG|url=https://www.wjhg.com/2025/02/28/ecp-announces-new-nonstop-flight-new-york-city/|date=February 28, 2025|access-date=March 1, 2025}} Traverse City{{cn|date=January 2025}} |

| Frontier Airlines | Atlanta, Charlotte, Cleveland, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami,{{cite web |title=Frontier Airlines Dec 2024 Network Additions |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/241010-f9dec24 |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=10 October 2024}} Orlando, Raleigh/Durham | {{cite web |title=Frontier |url=https://www.flyfrontier.com |access-date=January 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912053526/https://www.flyfrontier.com/ |archive-date=September 12, 2017 |url-status=live}}

| JetBlue | Fort Lauderdale,{{cite web |title=View From the Wing|date=May 8, 2024 |url=https://viewfromthewing.com/jetblues-retreat-reduced-laguardia-service-includes-dropping-5-routes-altogether/ |access-date=May 8, 2024}} Orlando, Tampa,{{cite web| url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250115533992/en/JetBlue-Enhances-Summer-Travel-with-New-Routes-and-Destinations-Strengthening-its-East-Coast-Network | title=JetBlue Enhances Summer Travel with New Routes and Destinations, Strengthening its East Coast Network |website=Business Wire | date=January 15, 2025 }} West Palm Beach
Seasonal: Martha's Vineyard,{{cn|date=January 2025}} Nantucket{{cn|date=January 2025}} | {{cite web |title=JetBlue Airlines Timetable |url=https://b6.innosked.com/(S(ke2am3wxgiegj0zs1pxotirq))/default.aspx |access-date=January 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130713064749/http://b6.innosked.com/(S(52udsaj2thvywnmtihsndo55))/default.aspx |archive-date=July 13, 2013 |url-status=live}}

| Porter Airlines | Toronto–Pearson | {{cite web|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250127748834/en/Porter-Airlines-Boosts-New-York-Presence-with-New-LaGuardia-Service|title=Porter Airlines Boosts New York Presence with New LaGuardia Service|publisher=Business Wire|date=January 27, 2025|accessdate=January 27, 2025}}

| Southwest Airlines | Atlanta, Chicago–Midway, Dallas–Love, Denver, Houston–Hobby, Kansas City, Nashville, New Orleans, St. Louis
Seasonal: Orlando{{cn|date=January 2025}} | {{cite web|title=Check Flight Schedules|url=https://www.southwest.com/air/flight-schedules/index.html|website=Southwest.com|access-date=April 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202053931/https://www.southwest.com/air/flight-schedules/index.html|archive-date=February 2, 2017|url-status=live}}

| Spirit Airlines | Atlanta, Charleston (SC), Charlotte, Chicago–O'Hare, Columbus–Glenn,https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus/columbus-is-getting-nonstop-flights-to-2-new-cities-from-spirit-airlines/ {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}} Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Houston–Intercontinental, Indianapolis (begins September 5, 2025),{{Cite web|last=Guffey|first=Alysa|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/transportation/2025/03/26/spirit-airlines-will-fly-nonstop-to-laguardia-from-indianapolis/82671518007/|title=Budget airline to begin flying nonstop to LaGuardia Airport from Indianapolis|publisher=IndyStar|accessdate=26 March 2025}} Miami, Myrtle Beach, Nashville, New Orleans,{{cite web |title=Spirit Airlines NW24 Domestic Network Additions |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/240904-nknw24us |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=4 September 2024}} Norfolk,{{cite web |title=Spirit Airlines NS25 Network Additions – 09MAR25 |url=https://www.aeroroutes.com/eng/250310-nkns25 |website=Aeroroutes |access-date=11 March 2025}} Orlando, Richmond, West Palm Beach | {{cite web |title=Where We Fly |url=https://www.spirit.com/RouteMaps.aspx |access-date=January 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223042503/https://www.spirit.com/routemaps.aspx |archive-date=December 23, 2017 |url-status=live}}

| United Airlines | Chicago–O'Hare, Denver, Houston–Intercontinental | {{cite web |title=Timetable |url=https://www.united.com/web/en-US/apps/travel/timetable/default.aspx |access-date=January 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128165254/https://www.united.com/web/en-US/apps/travel/timetable/default.aspx |archive-date=January 28, 2017 |url-status=live}}

| United Express | Washington–Dulles
Seasonal: Chicago–O'Hare,{{cite web |title=SkyWest Airlines » Route Map |url=https://www.skywest.com/fly-skywest-airlines/skywest-airlines-route-map/ |access-date=March 17, 2025}} Houston–Intercontinental|

}}

{{Pie chart

| thumb =

| caption = Carrier shares {{nowrap|(January 2024 - December 2024)}}

| other =

| label1 = Delta, 13,333,248

| value1 = 41.1

| color1 = red

| label2 = American, 7,020,845

| value2 = 21.7

| color2 = blue

| label3 = JetBlue, 3,355,603

| value3 = 10.4

| color3 = yellow

| label4 = Southwest, 3,184,497

| label5 = United, 2,220,909

| label6 = Spirit, 1,927,934

| value4 = 9.8

| value5 = 6.9

| value6 = 5.9

| color4 = green

| color5 = magenta

| color6 = orange

| color7 = brown

| color8 = turquoise

| label7 = Air Canada, 927,817

| label8 = Frontier, 446,964

| value7 = 2.9

| value8 = 1.4

}}

{{Airport-Statistics|iata=LGA}}

File:Jackson Hts Roosevelt Av 18 - Bus Terminal.jpg "LaGuardia Link" bus]]

{{As of|2021}}, buses are the only mode of mass transit to connect the airport with its surroundings. All terminals are served by accessible public MTA bus lines—including two Select Bus Services (SBS)—and free transfers to the New York City Subway are provided when passengers pay using OMNY or MetroCard.

• M60 Select Bus Service (all terminals)
• Q47 (Terminal A only)
• Q48 (all terminals)
• Q70 "LaGuardia Link" Select Bus Service (all terminals except Terminal A)
• Q72 (all terminals except Terminal A)

The airport also features a complementary internal shuttle bus route which makes stops at all terminals.{{cite web |date=November 2020 |title=LGA Airport – All-airline terminal shuttle bus |url=http://www.laguardiaairport.com/static/LGA/pdf/LGA-Passenger-Shuttle-10.15.21.pdf |access-date=October 29, 2021 |website=www.laguardiaairport.com |publisher=PANYNJ}}

Despite many failed proposals throughout its history, LaGuardia is not served directly by rail. Nearby lines of the New York City Subway and Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), however, provides northern Queens with connections to the greater New York metropolitan area and are commonly accessed from the airport by public bus or private car services.

The airport is mainly accessible via the Grand Central Parkway and overpasses at 94th Street and 102nd Street.{{cite web |title=LaGuardia Airport – Map |url=https://www.laguardiaairport.com/at-airport/airport-maps |access-date=October 29, 2021 |website=www.laguardiaairport.com |publisher=PANYNJ}} Taxicabs serving LaGuardia are metered and licensed by the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission, and uniformed airport employees are stationed to dispatch fares.{{cite web |title=LaGuardia Airport – By Taxi |url=https://www.laguardiaairport.com/to-from-airport/by-taxi |access-date=October 29, 2021 |website=www.laguardiaairport.com |publisher=PANYNJ}} For-hire-vehicles (FHV) including limousines and rideshare operators are accommodated at designated locations.{{cite web |title=LaGuardia Airport – Car Service, and Shared Rides |url=https://www.laguardiaairport.com/to-from-airport/car-service-and-shared-rides |access-date=October 29, 2021 |website=www.laguardiaairport.com |publisher=PANYNJ}} In 2019, PANYNJ approved the implementation of "airport access fee" surcharges on FHV and taxi trips, with the revenue earmarked to support the agency's capital programs.{{cite news |last=Mocker |first=Greg |date=September 26, 2019 |title=Port Authority approves fare and toll hikes, including new fee for airport rides |url=https://pix11.com/news/local-news/port-authority-approves-hikes-including-for-bridges-and-tunnels-air-train-tickets/ |access-date=October 29, 2021 |website=WPIX |agency=Associated Press}}

{{Main|List of accidents and incidents at LaGuardia Airport}}

{{Portal|New York City|Aviation}}

• New York World War II Army airfields

{{reflist}}

{{Air Force Historical Research Agency}}

{{Commons category-inline|LaGuardia Airport}}

• {{Official website|https://www.laguardiaairport.com}}
• {{FAA-diagram|00289}}
• {{cite web |url=https://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/operating/opdm/aviation/repository/air_dir/lga.pdf |title=New York State DOT Airport Diagram |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004020350/https://www.dot.ny.gov/divisions/operating/opdm/aviation/repository/air_dir/lga.pdf |archive-date=October 4, 2012}}
• {{US-airport|LGA}}

{{New York City Area Airports}}{{Airports on Long Island, New York}}{{Major US Airports}}

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{{North American airport people movers}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Laguardia Airport}}

Category:Airports in Queens, New York

Category:Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces in New York (state)

Category:Airfields of the United States Army Air Forces Air Transport Command in North America

Category:Works Progress Administration in New York City

Category:Airports established in 1939

Category:1939 establishments in New York City

Category:Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Category:East Elmhurst, Queens