New York’s LaGuardia Airport has often been razzed for its shoddy infrastructure (amongst other problems, including frequent delays).
In 2014, former Vice President Joe Biden proclaimed, “If I blindfolded someone and took them at 2:00 in the morning into the airport in Hong Kong and said ‘where do you think you are,’ they’d say, ‘this must be America, it’s a modern airport,’ but if I blindfolded you and took you to LaGuardia Airport in New York, you must think, ‘I must be in some third world country.’ I’m not joking.”
The airport is undergoing renovations and most of it is still in progress. I don’t travel to New York as often anymore and I’ve been pretty out of the loop after starting a new job, so I was surprised to see that one concourse of Terminal B is now open for business since the beginning of December. I flew from LaGuardia to Atlanta on Southwest the night after Christmas and was stunned to see what the future holds for LaGuardia’s continued renovation.
Absolutely aghast — AGHAST — that THIS is LaGuardia. pic.twitter.com/vlZX05TpQS
— Amol (@PointsToPointB) December 27, 2018
The Eastern Concourse is served by Air Canada, complete with new Maple Leaf Lounge, and Southwest. There were a couple of American Airlines flights, but not many – the ones I saw were regional jet flights to Canada. The Centurion Lounge is nearby, but it’s still pre-security. Pre-Check closes at 7:30pm, so I went down around then to make sure I’d have an easy security experience. There’s no other lounge that a credit card membership, like Priority Pass, can get you in past security.
Still, I was amazed with the types of food, drink, and sitting options. They seem pretty “normal” for a new airport building, but it was extra special given that it was LaGuardia (and I was a bit buzzed after 2 cocktails at the Centurion).
Photos
Apologies for the poor quality – I had absolutely no idea I’d be in a new terminal and only had my iPhone.
Even the bathrooms were pretty nice! We’ll see how they do after just one month.
There were plenty of space for passengers and even an area for kids to play.
Now that I live in Atlanta, flying to New York-LGA nonstop is an option on Delta, American, or Southwest. I’m now a free agent without status on a major airline. With Southwest now fully moved to this terminal, it definitely makes me want to book them for the short 2-hour flight over the other two carriers.
If only the Centurion Lounge was post-security!
