JetBlue's big New York LaGuardia terminal move could give Spirit a leg up
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There's mixed news for travelers passing through New York's LaGuardia Airport.
Starting on Nov. 1, all JetBlue flights, except the Boston shuttles, will depart and arrive from the airport's new Terminal B. This will allow for easier connections with the carrier's Northeast Alliance partner, American Airlines, which already operates from the Western Concourse of Terminal B. Boston flights will continue to operate from LaGuarida's Terminal A.
The news was first included in an email message to JetBlue's TrueBlue members, which touted many of the benefits of the Northeast Alliance. The tie-up is currently facing increased scrutiny from regulators, including a new lawsuit from the Department of Justice.
By co-locating in Terminal B, American and JetBlue can trim the minimum connection time needed between flights, providing more appealing one-stop itineraries than before.
JetBlue's move into Terminal B is also great news for those who hold The Platinum Card® from American Express. That's because the issuer's new Centurion Lounge just opened there in June, with plenty of space to relax and unwind before your flight.
In addition to a lounge option, Terminal B is the airport's newest concourse and offers plenty of modern, flyer-friendly amenities, including a large shopping arcade, curated dining options and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Though the passenger experience is greatly improved in Terminal B, long-time JetBlue flyers might miss the convenience and easy access of the airline's current LGA home in the Marine Air Terminal.
The Marine Air Terminal is one of the most convenient at LGA. It's accessed via a dedicated exit from the highway and doesn't suffer from the same road congestion as LaGuardia's other terminals. With just six gates, it almost feels like you're flying private.
Meanwhile, at nearby New York-JFK, American Airlines and JetBlue are sticking to their homes — Terminal 5 for JetBlue and Terminal 8 for American — but the airlines have added a shuttle bus that's available post-security for easier connections.
JetBlue leaving the Marine Air Terminal at LGA opens extra gates for another airline to move in. Right now, Spirit Airlines' Fort Lauderdale flights depart from there, and it wasn't immediately clear if the airline planned to consolidate all of its LaGuardia flights into the Marine Air Terminal. We reached out to the airline, but haven't heard back yet.
Currently, all Spirit flights except those headed to Fort Lauderdale depart from Terminal C. If the airline were to consolidate into the Marine Air Terminal, it'd offer New York travelers the most convenient location for getting to and from the airport.