As a New Yorker, I get asked this question all the time- “should I fly into JFK or LaGuardia”? Assuming your end destination is somewhere in New York City, I recommend LaGuardia because it is small, easy to navigate and close to NYC.

Here are some other important considerations when deciding between the two major NYC airports:

Are you flying internationally?

If you’re flying internationally, pick JFK. LGA doesn’t support international flights (other than to Canada and the Caribbean).

How quickly do you want to get to NYC?

LGA is only 10 miles away from Lower Manhattan while JFK is 17 miles away.

Public Transportation

LGA- 1) MTA bus takes you to the subway. 2) Take whatever subway line you need (I take the E).

JFK- 1) Take the AirTrain to the subway. 2) Take whatever subway way line you need (I take the A).

Interesting Statistics

• Uber Prices
  • LGA: my two most recent Uber X ride fares: $59.59, $75.15
  • JFK: I don’t Uber here voluntarily
• Most Popular Destinations
  • LGA- Chicago O’Hare (LGA does not allow planes to fly in/out from over 1,500 miles away- exceptions being flights from Denver and flights on Saturdays)
  • JFK- Los Angeles International Airport / London Heathrow
• Size
  • LGA- sits on 630 acres
  • JFK- covers over 4,600 acres
• Year Opened
  • LGA- 1939 (when it opened to the public)
  • JFK- 1948
• Facilities
  • LGA- two runways, three terminals, and 78 gates. Has a 233-foot tall air traffic control tower
  • JFK- four runways, five terminals, 125 gates. Has a 321-foot air traffic control tower
• Economic Impact
  • LGA- employed 15,800 people and contributed $13.6 billion in economic activity to the New York-New Jersey metro region in 2022
  • JFK- employed 40,500 people and contributed $45.4 billion in economic activity to the New York-New Jersey metro area in 2022
• Primary Hubs For
  • LGA- American Airlines and Delta (as smaller hubs)
  • JFK- American Airlines and Delta
• Most Fun Fact
  • LGA- disliked amongst pilots because its runways are surrounded by water and makes pilots feel like they’re landing on water (pilots refer to LGA as USS LaGuardia)
  • JFK- has a pet only terminal called The ARK (can accommodate dogs, cats, horses and birds)… AND was the site of the largest cash robbery on US soil- over $21 million in today’s money was stolen
• Did You Know?
  • LGA/JFK- New York Airways used to offer a helicopter service that would take you from the roof of the Pan Am building (right next to Grand Central Station) to either airport for $5/passenger

-Billy

Co-Founder @ The Sky Key

Sources:
https://www.panynj.gov/airports/en/statistics-general-info.html (2023 Annual Airport Traffic Report)
https://untappedcities.com/2016/09/27/the-top-10-secrets-of-laguardia-airport-in-nyc/3/
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2017-08-15/the-death-and-life-of-helicopter-commuting-video