New York's LaGuardia Airport just opened a brand-new taxiway that'll end long wait times
Flyers passing through New York's LaGuardia airport have one more reason to celebrate.
On Thursday, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, along with terminal developer LaGuardia Gateway Partners, inaugurated the latest enhancement in the airport's multi-billion-dollar modernization project: a new aircraft taxiway.
Southwest Flight 617, operated by a 21-year-old Boeing 737-700, registered N767SW, became the first aircraft to use the new taxiway. A group of executives and other invited guests gathered on the western sky bridge to watch the event unfold.
Two firetrucks sprayed the Southwest jet with an honorary water cannon salute moments after it passed under the eastern sky bridge. Before long, the jet was on its way to Tampa at 7:39 a.m. local time.
This much-anticipated improvement is much more than just another yellow line painted on concrete. That's because it's designed to eliminate the taxiway congestion that once defined the LGA airport experience. Previously, the airport's Central Terminal had multiple piers shaped in a horseshoe, with congested alleyways and ramps making for lengthy taxi times since only one plane could be pulled in or out at once.
That changed with the new Terminal B Arrivals and Departures hall which opened in June 2020. The check-in facility was built 600 feet closer to the Grand Central Parkway, and two sky bridges were designed to connect the east and west concourses.
The dual pedestrian bridges — a first in any airport worldwide — were built high enough so planes could taxi underneath them, creating nearly 50% more taxiway space at LGA. Additionally, thanks to the new design, jets can now go either direction along the new taxiway.
Plus, planes can start their engines immediately after pushback since there's more spacing between aircraft in the new configuration. (Previously, they'd needed to be tugged out of the alleyway before starting up.)
“One of the big design goals for the new LaGuardia airport was to reduce gate congestion," said Rick Cotton, executive director of the Port Authority, which oversees the LaGuardia Airport, in an interview with TPG.
"Now the entire concourse is surrounded by taxiways. A plane can now go left or right when it pushes back from its gate… and the aircraft can start its engine sooner…. and there are multiple options for a plane to get in or of its gate," Cotton explained.
For now, there's just one active sky bridge connecting the headhouse with the Eastern Concourse. The second one, designed to bridge the headhouse with the Western Concourse that serves the American Airlines gates, is still under construction, with a ribbon-cutting planned for early next year.
Once complete, it'll create a second taxiway that goes straight from the terminal to Runway 4, another time-saving design feature in the airport's master plan.
“Many people talk about going from worst to first, but we mean it: that’s our plan," said Stewart Steeves, CEO of LaGuardia Gateway Partners, the firm in charge of rebuilding and operate Terminal B. “There’s going to be no airport like this in the world. That’s what New York deserves. Something that’s truly different,” Steeves continued.
Related: LaGuardia's new terminal is a major upgrade — see for yourself
The new taxiway is the latest in a series of improvements coming for LaGuardia flyers. In addition to the newly opened Terminal B arrivals and departures hall, the airport is making significant progress on completing the Western Concourse, which is primarily used by American Airlines.
Half of the facility is already open, with more gates and a completed sky bridge coming online at the beginning of next year, according to Steeves. Then, the airport will demolish what's left of the old central terminal, which Steeves said will wrap up in about a year and a half.
Other improvements coming to LaGuardia include a redesigned concourse for Delta flyers, a brand-new American Airlines' Admirals Club and an AirTrain to and from Manhattan.
At this point, it's only a matter of time until the Port Authority realizes its vision for "a whole new LGA." With the new taxiway that opened on Thursday, flyers can bid farewell to long waits to get to the gate or runway.
Unfortunately, however, the airport's penalty box is still here to stay — though you'll get to the runway faster, it's ultimately up to the Federal Aviation Administration to determine when to clear your plane for departure.
All photos by Zach Griff/The Points Guy
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- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 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. |
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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
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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.