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LaGuardia Airport Rises From Worst to First, Named Best in North America

March 18, 2024

Lucille Barilla

LaGuardia Airport once had one of the worst reputations among airline passengers. It has since elevated its status to the best in the country.

Airports Council International revealed its ASQ Awards: 2023 Winners. LaGuardia was at the top of the list for its class as an airport with the top 20% overall satisfaction score by size and region at departure.

The Airport Service Quality survey recognized LaGuardia as one of the two best airports serving 25-40 million passengers annually in North America, along with Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport. It received an overall satisfaction score of 4.24 out of 5 — 20% higher than in 2018 when passengers rated LaGuardia the worst airport in North America.


“When we started out on our $8 billion transformation of LaGuardia, few believed we could create the world-class airport our region deserves. But the ASQ award proves that seeing is believing,” Rick Cotton, executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, said in a statement.

Cotton also spoke to Gothamist, noting that the award validated the airport’s costly transformation. “LaGuardia used to come in last — dead last — year after year in every single passenger survey,” Cotton said. “It was universally regarded as the worst airport in the country. It was the airport everyone loved to hate. But no longer.”

“Today’s results are definitive. LaGuardia Airport has officially transformed from worst to best,” he concluded.


Improvements included a wholly rebuilt facility, including a Central Terminal Building and concourses inspired by New York City’s parks.

With the completion of new terminals and airport roadways, 2023 became the first full year all passenger facilities were used at LaGuardia, the Port Authority said.

However, some adjustments must be made to LGA to keep it in step with other metropolitan airports. LaGuardia has no subway or commuter rail lines, and the only mass transit to the airport is by bus.

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