LaGuardia Airport is the “best new airport in the world.” Really.
The Queens travel hub’s new $4 billion Terminal B has won this year’s UNESCO Prix Versailles architecture award for the world’s best new air travel facility, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said.
Airports in Berlin, Germany and New Plymouth, New Zealand were also honored by UNESCO, or the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
The airport Joe Biden once likened to a “third world country” is in the midst of $8 billion worth of rehab. Delta Airlines is wrapping up another $4 billion worth of work on a new Terminal C, which is scheduled to open spring 2022, officials said.
Private funds helped cover about two-thirds of the effort, which began in 2016.
“Since beginning construction of a whole new LaGuardia five years ago, we promised an airport that would go from worst to best, taking its place among the world’s finest airports. That’s no longer a promise – it’s an achievement confirmed by a panel of international judges,” bragged Port Executive Director Rick Cotton in a statement.
Terminal B’s new arrivals and departures hall opened this year to rave reviews, including from The Points Guy, which titled its review “Hard to believe you’re at LGA.”
It’s a dramatic turnaround for an airport that Saturday Night Live skewered in 2020.
One issue remains for LaGuardia travelers: getting there.
Port officials are reviewing options to improve transit to the airport after Gov. Kathy Hochul nixed a $2 billion wrong-way AirTrain to eastern Queens championed by her disgraced predecessor ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Cuomo chimed in on Thursday to take credit for the new terminal and give a shoutout to members of his team including one-time top aide Melissa DeRosa.Â
“This well-earned recognition is a reminder of the power of New York as the Empire State. Every major region in the world that seeks a brighter future understands the need for a top flight airport and the rebuilding and reimagining of LaGuardia shows not only that we could get it done in record time under very difficult circumstances, but that we could make it truly world-class,” Cuomo said.Â
“Congratulations to Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton, as well as the Port Authority board members, and former members of my administration who worked hard on this project, including Kelly Cummings, Melissa DeRosa, Beth Garvey and Robert Mujica.”
