LaGuardia Airport Redevelopment: The New United Club and Terminal B

Beginning June 2, United Airlines will move flight operations into gates 42 to 45 at the new Terminal B Eastern Concourse at NYC LaGuardia Airport.

I had the opportunity to tour the new United Club and attend the official ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Love it or hate it, LGA is my home airport and, no matter what you say, I love it. Wow, I can’t believe the transformation! While it is still a work in progress, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Thanks to many entities and visionaries – and especially LaGuardia Gateway Partners and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the reincarnation of LGA is brilliant! The terminals went from looking like some wartime military air base to a 21st century airport masterpiece!

And, just wait until the rest of the project is completed – there’ll even be a central hall designed to unify the airport and an airtrain!

But, back to the United Club. What’s an opening without a ceremony and ribbon-cutting? The morning began with introductions and speeches by Jill Kaplan, United Airlines, President of New York & New Jersey; Huntley Lawrence, Port Authority of NYNJ Director of Aviation; and of course, United Airlines’ CEO Oscar Munoz.

And then the official ribbon-cutting, with a very large pair of scissors.

The doors opened, and we then were greeted in the United Club.

Of course, it is all shiny and new. It is large and overlooks the new terminal B, but also provides good views of the tarmac with excellent opportunities for plane spotting. Of course there is free wifi. There is also plenty of comfortable seating, outlets everywhere, a full bar and a large food selection.

I forgot to check out the restroom facilities in the United Club, but the public restrooms in Terminal B are really nice. The door to each restroom is large enough to wheel in luggage without requiring physical contortions to do so. And each door is decorated with a picture of a New York City landmark!

Beyond that, terminal B features ceilings up to 55′ high and plenty of natural light with thirteen new shops and restaurants all with a New York theme. There’s even an F.A.O. Schwarz!

In terms of ongoing construction, here you can see the future central hall, the bridge to Terminal B, and future course of the Airtrain. When finished, the Airtrain will connect with the 7 line of the NYC Subway.

One of my favorite parts of the new Terminal B was the children’s play area, which I’ll cover in another post. I think the adults – especially those of us who love airports and travel – will be keenly interested in one attraction there – perhaps even moreso than the kiddies!