New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA) airport has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years, culminating in Forbes Travel Guide naming the Queens gateway the best airport in the United States.
The accolade is part of Forbes Travel Guide's inaugural Verified Air Travel Awards, which celebrates the best airline and airport experiences worldwide. The ranking is based on a survey of 5,000 hospitality and travel experts and the guide's most well-traveled fliers.
According to Forbes, its air travel experts scoured the globe to come up with a list of nominees. Before surveying the experts, along with its incognito inspectors and training team, to decide on the winners. Picking up the trophy for best US Airport is LaGuardia, which has undergone a historic $8 billion transformation from "The nation's worst airport" to its best.
The airport, which is run by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, has picked up a number of awards in recent years as it completes its redevelopment projects. Last year, LaGuardia's Terminal B was named the World's Best New Airport Terminal by Skytrax, while the airport as a whole won the Airport Service Quality Award for Best North American Airport in the 25 million to 40 million passenger category. Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton highlighted just how much progress the airport has made in recent years:
“From the very start, our mission at LaGuardia Airport was to transform what was once the worst airport in the nation into an airport that would rival the best in the world.
“Today’s award from Forbes Travel Guide is further proof that with our private partners, Delta Air Lines and LaGuardia Gateway Partners, we have created a new LaGuardia Airport that is no longer a national laughingstock, but something our entire region and country can be proud of.”
LaGuardia was not the only New York airport to take home a trophy. The Best US Airline Lounge went to Delta One at John F. Kennedy International Airport’s Terminal 4, which recently underwent a $1.5 billion modernization and expansion project.
The lounge at New York JFK is not the only upgrade coming to the airport. JFK is currently undergoing a $19 billion transformation that includes two giant new terminals, the expansion and modernization of existing terminals, streamlined roadways, and additional dining and retail options for passengers.
Over in New Jersey, Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is home to a new Terminal A covering over 1 million square feet, with updated passenger amenities, local artwork, a children’s play space and library, and a sensory room. Port Authority Chairman Kevin O'Toole noted how the group's hard work is paying off at each of the area airports:
“This award from Forbes Travel Guide, recognizing LaGuardia as the best airport in the nation, is affirmation of all the hard work and resources that the Port Authority and our partners have invested to reimagine what LaGuardia could become.
“Today, we are no longer imagining what our airports can become – we are realizing our goal to create world-class airports across our region.”
Up next, Newark is set to receive a new Terminal B, which will provide even more amenities to area travelers over the coming years.
