Yesterday, New York City's LaGuardia Airport was honored with the title of best airport in the United States by Forbes Travel Guide. The accolade was bestowed during a ceremony hosted in the freshly completed Terminal C, a venture spearheaded by Delta Air Lines. Forbes Travel Guide reached its verdict following input from both industry experts and frequent fliers, about 5,000 in number, as reported by ABC7 New York.
Donavan Richards, the Queens Borough President, highlighted LaGuardia's turnaround, stating, "We went from the worst to the first, we are proud of the newly redesigned and reimagined airport," in remarks obtained by ABC7. The $8 billion overhaul of LaGuardia positioned it as a leading destination, whisking its reputation from the dregs to the pinnacle of airport experiences, Hermann Elger, CEO of Forbes Travel Guide said "It certainly represents that which is this is part of the journey, this is part of the experience, it all starts here," at the award event.
Enhancements weren't limited to visual appeal; Delta managing director of corporate real estate Ryan Marzullo highlighted the operational efficiency improvements, telling ABC7, "We focused on the airfield because LaGuardia was notorious for the delays getting on and off the runway, so you can't have a beautiful new building without with an efficient operation."
Praise for the airport's amenities also comes from the passengers who are experiencing LaGuardia's transformation firsthand, according to a NY1 report; with remarks like "bright, airy, sunny" from Arschia Sajid and Sonya Johnson describing it as akin to a "field trip," it's evident the changes resonate beyond industry commendations. Transit hubs, once endured, have evolved into part of the journey's joy—a shift asserted by Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton, who stated, "Our airports have become more than just transit hubs, more than something to be endured as part of a trip. They have become destinations. They are part of the journey. They bring memories, positive memories."
Looking southward from Queens, a similar metamorphosis is on the horizon for JFK Airport, as it embarks on an ambitious $19 billion renovation; officials, armed with the success at LaGuardia, are undoubtedly optimistic about repeating such triumphs. Tom Cotton from Port Authority, reflecting on the past, mentioned, "When back 10 years ago we committed to building a world-class airport, I doubt we had many true believers, but I think we have won the skeptics over," as noted by ABC7NY.
