IMPROVED AMENITIES

USATODAYSPECIALEDITION

upon millions of air travelers with a reliable, 30-minute trip from midtown Manhattan to the airport,” said chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Kevin O’Toole and Executive Director Rick Cotton in an August statement. “Getting people out of cars and onto environmentally friendly rail mass transit will reduce traffic congestion for all motorists and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution in the communities surrounding the airport.”

Initially slated to begin service in 2020 , the rail line is now expected to open in 2025, connecting LaGuardia to the Mets-Willets Point subway station and the Long Island Rail Road. This route eliminates a 3-mile gap that currently exists between the airport and the city’s public transportation.

“The AirTrain LGA is essential to the redevelopment of the airport, and it will bring notable benefits to the surrounding community,” Cotton said.

The AirTrain is part of an $8 billion redevelopment of LaGuardia Airport that was announced in 2015. Since construction began, a 3,000-space parking garage, new concourses at terminals B and C and multiple gates have been opened.

In June, the new 850,000-square-foot Arrivals and Departures Hall, with world-class amenities, public art installations, new concessions , 17 bathrooms with touchless entry and a shopping experience worthy of the city’s retail reputation was unveiled.

When complete, the new Terminal B will also include two pedestrian skybridges, a children’s play area and a total of 35 gates serving American, Southwest, United and Air Canada airlines.

“LaGuardia Airport is going to be the first new airport in the United States in 25 years, and we’re building it while still operating the old airport,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo stated in a press release. “Travelers coming to New York should expect nothing less than a world-class experience, and that is what we are delivering with this modernization project.” UP FRONT | TRAVEL

PROVIDED BY PORT AUTHORITY OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY When completed, the renovated LaGuardia Airport will offer AirTrain connections to nearby subway and rail stations.

American Airlines and United Airlines are now operating out of the newly renovated Terminal B.

AMERICAN AIRLINES