As a business traveler, there’s something wonderful about departing from, connecting through or arriving at a familiar airport. You know the fastest security lines, the best restaurants and the cleanest restrooms — getting around is easy.
La Guardia Central Terminal B
But travelers familiar with New York City’s LaGuardia are going to have an unfamiliar experience next time they visit the Queens airport. On Saturday, Dec. 9, the $8 billion redevelopment of LaGuardia enters a new phase, and 6 airlines will move terminals to accommodate construction and streamline passenger travel.
Here’s a look at the airlines that are moving, where they’re going, and what this means for business travelers.
The 6 Airlines Changing Terminals
The redevelopment of LaGuardia includes a number of key stakeholders, including New York’s Port Authority and the airlines that use LaGuardia. The Port Authority and 6 of LaGuardia’s tenant airlines have hammered out an agreement on short-term terminal changes to help accommodate the redevelopment and make travel more efficient for passengers. Here’s a look at the changes being implemented this month:
- American will move all operations to Terminal B (ending operations at Terminal C)
- Delta will move all operations to Terminals C and D (ending operations at Terminal A)
- JetBlue will move all operations to Terminal A (ending operations at Terminal B)
- Alaska will move all operations to Terminal A (ending operations at Terminal B)
- Frontier will move all operations to Terminal D, though departing passengers check in at Terminal C (ending operations at Terminal B)
- Spirit will move all operations to Terminal D, though departing passengers check in at Terminal C (ending operations at Terminal B)
Here’s the official press release from The Port Authority
Why is LaGuardia Undergoing Redevelopment?
These terminal changes are just a small part of huge changes taking place at LaGuardia. The $8 billion project is an attempt to transform the nearly 80-year-old airport into a modern facility that meets the needs of both airlines and the travelers they serve.
LaGuardia Airport’s Central Terminal B serves nearly 15 million passengers a year and is home to eight airlines.
New York’s Port Authority and LaGuardia Gateway Partners are part of a $4 billion public-private partnership that will fully replace aging Terminal B. As you can see from the terminal changes above, JetBlue, Alaska, Frontier and Spirit are all abandoning Terminal B to make way for this work.
Once complete, the redeveloped Terminal B will span 1.3 million square feet and include 35 gates. LaGuardia Gateway Partners promises the new Terminal B will “offer best-in-class retail, food, beverage, and amenities that will more than double current offerings.” The new terminal will also feature two first-of-their-kind pedestrian bridges that will connect to LaGuardia’s concourses, providing passengers the unique experience of actually walking over taxiing aircraft.
LaGuardia Central Terminal B
As part of LaGuardia’s overall redevelopment, Delta will also invest $3.4 billion to replace Terminals C and D. New York’s Port Authority has pledged $600 million to help cover project costs, as well as costs related to the development of supporting infrastructure.
JTB Business Travel: Helping You Navigate LaGuardia
Just when you think you have an airport figured out, it starts an $8 billion redevelopment project. At JTB Business Travel, we’re here to help companies and their business travelers that rely on LaGuardia. As a comprehensive business travel agency, we offer resources, tools and insights that can help you navigate an under-construction LaGuardia (or find alternatives) without disrupting your itineraries or your important work.
Contact us today about your corporate travel needs.
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