After having held the reputation as one of the worst airports in the country, LaGuardia Airport in New York has made a complete turnaround, being awarded the best airport of its size based on a new passenger survey.
Airports Council International honored LaGuardia with an Airport Service Quality, or ASQ, award as the “best airport of 25 to 40 million passengers in North America” last year.
The recognition marks the success of a multibillion-dollar transformation at the airport in Queens, taking it from worst to best in five years.
“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 Monday.
LaGuardia Gateway Partners CEO Suzette Noble said, “The ASQ award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of not only those who designed and built the new airport, but to those providing exceptional service each and every day.”
With the completion of new terminals and airport roadways, 2023 became the first full year all passenger facilities were in use at LaGuardia, the Port Authority said.
The renovations led to a 20% increase from 2018 survey scores, with overall passenger satisfaction earning a rating of 4.24 out of 5.
The largest drivers behind the jump in passenger satisfaction were the airport’s ambience and facility cleanliness, which increased by 21% and 15%, respectively, over the last five years. Other improved factors included security screening, dining facilities and the comfort of gate areas, the Port Authority said.
More than 4,200 passengers completed the ASQ survey at gates in LaGuardia Airport throughout 2023.
“There is no better judge of our new airports than the passengers who use them, which is why the ASQ award for best airport going to LaGuardia is so meaningful,” Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole said.
