What Happened to LaGuardia Airport (LGA)?
LaGuardia Airport, once widely criticized for its outdated facilities, has undergone an extensive $8 billion redevelopment, transforming it into a modern, award-winning transportation hub with new terminals and improved passenger experience. However, as of March 2026, the airport is grappling with significant operational disruptions and safety concerns following a deadly runway collision.
Quick Answer
LaGuardia Airport has been dramatically transformed through an $8 billion redevelopment project, completed in phases between 2018 and 2025, replacing its old terminals with state-of-the-art facilities. This overhaul has earned it numerous accolades, including 'Best U.S. Airport' for two consecutive years. As of March 24, 2026, the airport is experiencing severe delays and cancellations due to a fatal runway collision on March 22, 2026, which killed two pilots and injured dozens, prompting an ongoing investigation into air traffic control and safety protocols.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
LaGuardia Airport Opens to Commercial Traffic
Originally named New York Municipal Airport, it opened to commercial traffic, quickly becoming a major hub.
Renamed LaGuardia Airport and Leased to Port Authority
The airport was officially renamed LaGuardia Airport after former New York City Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia and its control was transferred to the Port of New York Authority (now PANYNJ).
Original Central Terminal Building Opens
The Central Terminal Building (CTB), which would serve as the airport's main hub for decades, was opened.
$8 Billion Redevelopment Plan Announced
A comprehensive plan to completely rebuild LaGuardia Airport's passenger infrastructure was unveiled, aiming to transform the criticized airport into a world-class facility.
Groundbreaking for Redevelopment Project
Construction officially began on the massive $8 billion redevelopment, starting with Terminal B.
New Terminal B Headhouse Opens
The new, light-filled Arrivals and Departures Hall for Terminal B opened, marking a significant milestone in the redevelopment.
Terminal B Passenger Facilities Completed
The $5.1 billion Terminal B project, including its second pedestrian skybridge and all passenger facilities, was completed on time and budget.
Delta's New Terminal C Opens (Substantial Completion)
Delta Air Lines opened its new 1.3 million-square-foot Terminal C, consolidating former Terminals C and D, marking the substantial completion of the airport's $8 billion redevelopment.
AirTrain LaGuardia Project Canceled
After years of controversy and escalating costs, the proposed $2.4 billion AirTrain project, intended to connect the airport to rail lines, was officially abandoned in favor of enhanced bus services.
Full Airport-Wide Transformation Completed
The final components of Delta Air Lines' new Terminal C were opened, signifying the full completion of LaGuardia Airport's $8 billion transformation.
Named 'Best U.S. Airport' for 2024 by Forbes Travel Guide
LaGuardia Airport received the Forbes Travel Guide's Verified Air Travel Award, recognizing it as the nation's best airport based on traveler and hospitality expert surveys.
Named 'Best U.S. Airport' for Second Consecutive Year
LaGuardia Airport was again selected as the best airport in the United States by Forbes Travel Guide's Verified Air Travel Awards, affirming its successful transformation.
Handles 2.3 Million Passengers
LaGuardia Airport reported 2.3 million passengers in January 2026, a 3.4% decrease year-on-year, amidst ongoing operational adjustments.
Deadly Runway Collision Occurs
An Air Canada Express jet collided with a Port Authority fire truck on a runway, killing both pilots and injuring dozens. The airport was temporarily closed.
Airport Operations at Reduced Capacity Amid Investigation
LaGuardia Airport continues to face significant delays and cancellations, operating at reduced capacity with one runway closed until at least Friday, as the NTSB investigates the fatal collision and concerns about air traffic control staffing and safety are highlighted.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
LaGuardia Airport, located in Queens, New York City, has a long history dating back to its establishment in 1929 and opening as a public airport in 1939. For decades, particularly in the 2000s and 2010s, it gained a reputation for outdated facilities, inefficiency, and poor customer service, often being ranked among the worst airports in the United States.
This negative perception spurred a monumental $8 billion comprehensive redevelopment project, announced in 2015 by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) and then-Governor Andrew Cuomo. The ambitious plan aimed to completely rebuild the airport's passenger infrastructure, making it the first full rebuild of a U.S. airport in over 25 years. The project was largely funded through a public-private partnership, with two-thirds of the cost covered by private financing and existing passenger fees.
The redevelopment proceeded in phases, with the new 1.3 million-square-foot Terminal B, managed by LaGuardia Gateway Partners, opening its first gates in December 2018 and its new headhouse in June 2020. The Terminal B project was substantially completed in January 2022, featuring modern interiors, dual skybridges over active taxiways, and a 3,000-car parking garage. Following this, Delta Air Lines' new 1.3 million-square-foot Terminal C, consolidating the former Terminals C and D, began opening in June 2022, with its final gates completed by the end of 2024, marking the full, airport-wide transformation.
The transformation has been widely lauded, earning LaGuardia numerous awards. Terminal B received UNESCO's Prix Versailles as the world's best new airport terminal in 2021 and a Skytrax 5-star rating in 2023, which it re-earned in February 2025. The entire airport was recognized as the 'Best U.S. Airport' in Forbes Travel Guide's Verified Air Travel Awards for 2024 and 2025, and 'Best Airport in North America for domestic and short-haul international flights' by Skytrax in April 2025. Passenger satisfaction scores have dramatically improved, with LaGuardia recording its highest-ever ratings in 2024.
Despite the infrastructure success, a proposed AirTrain connecting the airport to subway and Long Island Rail Road lines was a key turning point. Initially approved by the FAA in July 2021, the controversial $2 billion project faced significant opposition due to its cost and indirect route. It was officially canceled in March 2023, with PANYNJ opting instead for enhanced bus services, including dedicated bus lanes and new shuttle routes.
As of March 24, 2026, LaGuardia Airport is facing a critical situation. On Sunday, March 22, 2026, an Air Canada Express jet collided with a Port Authority fire truck on a runway, killing both pilots of the aircraft and injuring dozens of passengers and crew. The airport was temporarily closed and has since resumed operations at a reduced capacity, with one runway expected to remain closed until Friday. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the incident, and preliminary reports indicate concerns raised by pilots about air traffic control missteps and safety hazards at LaGuardia in the months leading up to the crash.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if LaGuardia Airport (LGA) made different choices?