March 20, 2023
March 6, 2023
February 20, 2023
February 6, 2023
On Thursday, Vice-President Joe Biden ridiculed New York’s LaGuardia Airport for its reputation as “America’s worst airport.” (To be honest, in Travel & Leisure’s 2013 survey, the Clinton National Airport in Little Rock (LIT) actually beat out LaGuardia as the worst in the nation.) The bad rep may be well-deserved, but you can avoid all of the problems when you fly private to LGA.
“If I took you blindfolded…to LaGuardia Airport in New York you must think, ‘I must be in some third-world country.’ I’m not joking,” Biden said. “It’s embarrassing and it’s stupid. It puts us literally behind, they put us behind Barbados. Great country; one airport.”
Biden’s comments followed closely on the heels of those leveled by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo last month in his State of the State address. “LaGuardia Airport is ranked the worst airport in America,” Cuomo said. “That is a disgrace, my friends. And it is unacceptable.” He promised that the state would take over a $3.6 billion modernization plan from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey that has been stalled.
Even Donald Trump has called it a “third world airport,” but he keeps his own private jet there out of convenience.
LaGuardia is the New York area’s smallest commercial airport. It’s also the nation’s 21st-busiest, but has only two runways and far too little space for gates. Ramp operations are limited by the narrow spaces between the concourses and gates designed for 1960s-era McDonnell Douglas DC-9s. The Central Terminal was designed for 8 million passengers when it opened in April 1964, but LGA today sees 20+ million passengers.
The roof leaks, the lighting is poor, the bathrooms and floors are often dirty, the Wi-Fi is spotty and not free, and the concourses are too narrow for today’s security requirements. Gate holding areas are cramped, concessions are limited, and there’s no subway service to/from the airport.
Yet, of the Big Apple’s major airports, LaGuardia’s Queens location makes it geographically the closest to Manhattan, and a valuable facility. LaGuardia’s passenger load continues to grow, but there is simply no room for expansion. Some have lobbied for bans on corporate jet flights and limits on connecting flights to ease congestion, and others simply want it torn down. The fact that a two-state political entity controls the airports, bridges, tunnels and seaports in and around New York City means that politics often gets in the way of progress.
Although LaGuardia was a large airport for the era in which it was built and thrived for many years, it soon became too small.
Ironically, the things for which the airport ranks so poorly – on-time arrivals, check-in and security, baggage handling, terminal cleanliness, design, etc – don’t affect business and leisure travelers who fly private to LGA.
Charter flights to LaGuardia Airport are one of the quickest ways to travel into Manhattan and the airport is able to handle private aircraft of all sizes. Limos and taxis are plentiful and available 24 hours a day. LaGuardia’s FBO, Sheltair, is just six miles from downtown Manhattan and two miles from both Citi Field, home of the New York Mets, and the U.S. Open Tennis Stadium.
While most private jet charter passengers prefer to fly in and out of Teterboro (TEB) or White Plains (HGN) airports when heading to the New York City area, Charter Flight Group can arrange for you to fly private to LGA without any of the hassles associated with this busy airport.
CFG is proud to provide our jet charter clientele with flexibility as well as the highest safety standards in the private aviation industry. No matter whether your trip involves business or pleasure, we always have the right aircraft for your trip. Choose from an extensive selection of Hawkers, Lears, Citations, Gulfstreams, Boeing Business Jets or other jets that interest you.
Our representatives are available 24/7 to book your charter flight, and handle your door-to-door intinerary. When you fly private to LGA with Charter Flight Group, you can be confident that you’re in good hands. Call us today at 888.634.7449 to get started. You’ll be wheels up in just a few short hours.
