Laguardia Airport Named Best U.S. Airport for the Second Consecutive Year by Forbes Travel Guide’s Verified Air Travel Awards

Photo Courtesy of PANYNJ

Survey of 9,000 Travel Advisors and Hospitality Experts by Forbes Travel Guide Continues to Recognize LaGuardia Airport’s Transformation from Worst to Best in Nation

LaGuardia Airport’s Latest of Many Accolades Validates Port Authority’s Vision for Creating World-Class Passenger Experience at Region’s Airports

Photos and Information on a Whole New LaGuardia are Available

See Full List of Forbes Travel Guide Winners Here

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced LaGuardia Airport’s selection as the best airport in the United States for the second consecutive year by Forbes Travel Guide, which released its Verified Air Travel Awards today. Decided by an invitation-only panel of 9,000 luxury travel advisors and hospitality experts, the award recognizes airlines and airports committed to providing the world’s best travel experiences. Today’s recognition is the latest in a long list of accolades given to LaGuardia throughout the course of the airport’s historic $8 billion transformation from what was once the nation’s worst airport into what is now its best.

LaGuardia Airport has been winning national and international accolades, including the coveted 2021 Prix Versailles from UNESCO recognizing LaGuardia as the best new airport in the world, since the first new passenger facilities started opening. Additional awards have included Skytrax world’s best new airport terminal: LaGuardia Terminal B in 2023, and the Airport Service Quality Award for best North American airport in the 25 million to 40 million passenger-category for 2023, based on consumer surveys.

Port Authority airports, including LaGuardia, Newark-Liberty International and JFK International, are undergoing a historic $30 billion transformation with the goal of creating world class and award-winning passenger facilities. Acclaim for Port Authority’s airports includes:

2025:  

• Forbes Travel Guide, nation’s best airport: LaGuardia Airport 
• Skytrax, best regional airport in North America
• Airport Service Quality Award, best North American airport in its size class for 2024: LaGuardia Airport 
• Skytrax, 5-star rating: LaGuardia’s Terminal B 

2024:  

• Forbes Travel Guide, nation’s best airport: LaGuardia Airport 
• Airport Service Quality Award, best North American airport in its size class for 2023: LaGuardia Airport 
• Skytrax, 5-star rating: Newark Liberty’s Terminal A 
• Skytrax, world’s best new airport terminal: Newark Liberty’s Terminal A 
• UNESCO’s Prix Versailles for Exterior Design: Newark Liberty’s Terminal A   
• Business Traveller Magazine, nation’s best airport: JFK  

2023: 

• Skytrax, 5-star rating: LaGuardia’s Terminal B 
• Skytrax, world’s best new airport terminal: LaGuardia’s Terminal B 
• American Society of Civil Engineers NJ, project of the year: Newark Liberty’s Terminal A 
• U.S. Green Building Council, LEED gold certification: Newark Liberty’s Terminal A and LaGuardia’s Terminal B 
• Rick Hansen Accessibility Certification, gold rating: LaGuardia’s Terminal B 

2022: 

• National Academy of Construction, recognition of special achievement award: LaGuardia’s Terminal B 
• National Design-Build Institute of America, national award of excellence in aviation: LaGuardia’s Terminal B 
• Urban Land Institute/NY excellence in civic development: LaGuardia’s Terminal B 

2021: 

• UNESCO’s Prix Versailles, world’s best new airport terminal: LaGuardia’s Terminal B 
• Conde Nast Traveler Hot List, best new way to travel: LaGuardia’s Terminal B 
• Queens Chamber of Commerce Building Awards, best public work infrastructure and civil project: LaGuardia’s Terminal B 
• Municipal Art Society of NY masterworks award, best new infrastructure: LaGuardia’s Terminal B 
• US Green Building Council LEED gold v4 certification: LaGuardia’s Terminal B 

2020: 

• Engineering News Record, best projects award NYC: LaGuardia’s Terminal B 

About the redevelopment of LaGuardia Airport

In 2015, a comprehensive plan to construct a whole new LaGuardia Airport was unveiled with the goal of creating a world-class, 21st century passenger experience featuring modern customer amenities, state-of-the-art architecture, more spacious gate areas and a unified terminal system. The $8 billion project, two-thirds of which is funded through private financing and existing passenger fees, broke ground in 2016 and was substantially completed in 2022.

In February 2018, the new Terminal B parking garage opened with more than 3,000 spaces and a dedicated level for Uber, Lyft and other for-hire car services. In December 2018, the first 18 new gates and the first new concourse in Terminal B opened. In June 2020, the soaring new 1.3 million-square-foot arrivals and departures hall at Terminal B opened its doors. Terminal B, with 35 gates, has since won awards as best new airport terminal in the world, including the Prix Versailles from UNESCO and Skytrax, which also gave the terminal the first 5-star rating in the nation. In June 2022, Delta Airlines opened the new 1.3 million-square-foot Terminal C, which features 38 gates across four concourses, world-class amenities, state-of-the-art technology and inspiring public art. Delta’s Terminal C was completed in 2024.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is a bi-state agency that builds, operates, and maintains many of the most important transportation and trade infrastructure assets in the country. For over a century, the agency’s network of major airports; critical bridges, tunnels and bus terminals; a commuter rail line; and the busiest seaport on the East Coast has been among the most vital in the country – transporting hundreds of millions of people and moving essential goods into and out of the region. The Port Authority also owns and manages the 16-acre World Trade Center campus, which today welcomes tens of thousands of office workers and millions of annual visitors. The agency’s historic $37 billion 10-year capital plan includes unprecedented transformation of the region’s three major airports – LaGuardia, Newark Liberty and JFK – as well as an array of other new and upgraded assets, including the $2 billion renovation of the 93-year-old George Washington Bridge. The Port Authority’s annual budget of $9.4 billion includes no tax revenue from either the states of New York or New Jersey or from the city of New York. The agency raises the necessary funds for the improvement, construction or acquisition of its facilities primarily on its own credit. For more information, visit www.panynj.gov or check out the Now Arriving blog.