Transformation complete: The best airport enhancements of 2022
The next time you pass through some of the nation's biggest airports, you may not believe your eyes.
Many of the largest aviation hubs nationwide received a glow-up during the pandemic, and they're finally ready to welcome passengers. From glistening new terminals to swanky new lounges, the airport experience is improving considerably throughout the country.
During the pandemic, airlines and airports strategically took advantage of the drop in demand to accelerate redevelopment plans, shaving off years from multibillion-dollar construction projects.
While there've been a handful of impressive innovations in airports this year alone, we recognized two major enhancements at the annual TPG Awards on Dec. 7.
Best Airport Improvement
The first is perhaps the most striking airport improvement we've seen to date: the complete transformation of New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA).
This makeover project has been years in the making. Plans to redevelop this key New York City airport have been in the works since at least July 2015.
The transformation started taking hold in June 2020 with the opening of the brand-new Terminal B at LGA that replaced the aging Central Terminal, which first opened back in 1964.
Terminal B was unveiled at the height of the pandemic, but work continued for the past two years to bring the project to 100% completion. This included the opening of a new pedestrian bridge, the demolition of the old terminal and the unveiling of some much-anticipated passenger amenities, such as the expanded American Airlines Admirals Club.
When work on Terminal B finished earlier this year, all eyes then turned to Delta Air Lines' $4 billion redevelopment project in Terminal C, which opened in June to much fanfare.
Delta's completely overhauled Terminal C includes a centralized check-in area, security checkpoint and passageway to get to each gate. There are plenty of other passenger experience improvements throughout, including fancy new restrooms, improved concession options and power and USB outlets at each seat.
The terminal is also home to the world's largest Sky Club, which is quickly becoming one of the crown jewels of Delta's lounge network.
With Terminals B and C now nearly 100% complete, the travel experience at LaGuardia is no longer the "third-world country" that then-Vice President Joe Biden once famously called it. In fact, it's gone from one of the worst to one of the best in the entire country.
The only downside is that you'll need to wear your walking shoes. All the new buildings come at the expense of efficiency — you'll no longer be able to reliably get from curb to gate in mere minutes.
That said, kudos are in order for the major partners involved in LaGuardia's transformation. This includes the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which oversees the airport, as well as LaGuardia Gateway Partners, which manages Terminal B, and Delta, the airline in charge of Terminal C.
Best New Lounge
Along with redeveloped airports, airlines and credit card issuers are doubling down on their investment in lounges.
2022 saw the opening of multiple new airport lounges, but none were as special as Delta's new West Coast flagship at its hub in Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which received the award for the Best New Lounge from TPG this year.
This 30,000-square-foot space opened in April along with the overhauled new Delta Sky Way terminal at LAX, which ushers in a slew of improvements for Delta flyers headed to or from Southern California.
For one, the space seats more than 500 travelers, which seems to be large enough to accommodate everyone, even with the overcrowding we've seen recently in airport lounges.
Once inside, the Sky Club itself is stunning — the design feels especially luxurious, and the floor-to-ceiling windows drench the space with lots of natural light.
You'll find two buffets and two bars in the club, along with a self-serve candy bar and some rotating seasonal treats that change every few weeks. From Framery phone booths to marble-clad shower suites, you'll have no issue catching up on work or getting refreshed before your flight.
But what really sets this lounge apart is the year-round Sky Deck. The terrace features plenty of seating, a walk-up bar and perhaps the best airside views you can find in all of LAX.
Plus, the deck is equipped with a retractable roof with heaters, so it can stay open 12 months of the year, regardless of the weather.
The Sky Deck overlooks both Terminals 2 and 3, along with LAX’s northern runways, which are great for planespotting during sunny days. On a clear day, you can even see the Hollywood Hills and downtown Los Angeles in the distance.
While Delta's new LAX Sky Club is the winner of this year's Best New Lounge accolade, there's more good news coming for the airline's LA hub.
Delta will debut a business-class-only lounge at LAX in the coming years, and it's poised to be even more luxurious and exclusive than the "standard" Sky Club.
When it opens, it's sure to be a contender for the award.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.