New York: Governor Kathy Hochul, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Executive Director Rick Cotton and Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian on Wednesday (Jun 1) announced the opening of Delta’s new Terminal C, which marks the substantial completion of the $8 billion whole new LaGuardia Airport just six years after beginning construction. The opening of Terminal C on June 4, combined with the completion of the new Terminal B earlier this year, means every passenger, except those travelling through the landmarked Marine Air Terminal, will experience new, world-class airport facilities when departing from or arriving at the airport. At a cost of $4 billion – including a $500 million investment by the Port Authority for new roadways and supporting infrastructure — Terminal C represents Delta’s largest-ever investment in an airport facility.
“The transformation of a LaGuardia Airport into a world-class destination that is internationally recognized for its beauty is an integral part of our bold vision for a new era in New York,” Governor Hochul said. “The opening of Delta’s $4 billion Terminal C will help provide a state-of-the-art passenger experience, easing connections and creating lasting impressions. Congratulations to all who made today’s milestone possible as we finish creating a whole new LaGuardia Airport worthy of New York. “
A New Terminal C Experience That Sets the Standard for Modern Air Travel
At 1.3 million square feet, the new, state-of-the-art Terminal C will be 85 per cent larger than the two terminals it is replacing – consolidating access to 37 gates through a single 21st-century arrivals and departures hall. Throughout the terminal, soaring floor-to-ceiling windows ensure it is filled with natural light by day. Terminal C has been designed for optimal efficiency and speed, allowing travellers to navigate to and from their gates quickly and intuitively, utilizing the latest technologies such as hands-free bag drop and Digital ID screening capabilities. A curbside check-in building will allow passengers who are already checked in to get to the security screening area more quickly.
The departures hall features 36 full-service check-in counters, 49 self-service kiosks and 16 bag-drop counters. A larger and consolidated security area will feature 11 screening lanes with room for five additional lanes in the future, featuring state-of-the-art technology to expedite screening while prioritizing the safety of passengers. Dynamic signage in the TSA queue will display passenger wait times and will allow queuing zones to be adjusted based on passenger demand. At the arrival level, passengers will be able to retrieve their luggage from one of five baggage carousels. There are 13 restrooms within the new terminal, all featuring touch-free entry, sinks and hand dryers.
Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton said, “In a word, the new Terminal C is magnificent – an architectural gem that dwarfs the facilities it replaces in size, style and functionality. It represents 21st-century air travel that is world-class in every respect – which can now be said of the entire whole new LaGuardia Airport, which six years ago was among the most reviled in the nation. I thank Governor Hochul for her support, the entire Delta team for their indefatigable efforts and the many employees of the Port Authority who collaborated to make this new world-class airport a reality. Today proves what our region can accomplish when we really put our collective will behind such an ambitious goal.”
Delta CEO Ed Bastian said, “This marks a new beginning for Delta customers and employees at our LaGuardia hub with the opening of this remarkable new terminal. It’s been more than a decade since Delta committed to growing – and winning – in New York, and we’ve been unwavering in our efforts to become New York City’s No. 1 airline. It’s thanks to the 10,000 New York-based Delta people that we’ve been able to invest nearly $7 billion in New York airports since 2010, deliver the products and experiences our New York customers deserve and become part of the fabric of the New York community that means so much to so many of us.”
Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole said, “The Port Authority remains wholly committed to improving its customer experience and its facilities across the region, and here at LaGuardia Airport we are seeing this take shape in a truly remarkable and inspiring fashion. The design of Delta’s new Terminal C creates a bright, welcoming environment for travellers, airline and airport employees. The entire LaGuardia team worked tirelessly toward building a world-class airport, and we couldn’t be prouder.”
Inspiring Selection of Concessions Featuring Local and Global Brands
The completed Terminal C will include 80 per cent more concession space than Delta’s former terminals with 95 per cent of those new concessions located after security, allowing passengers to shop and dine while waiting for their flights.
Concessions will include local favourites in partnership with OTG like Bubby’s, Sunday Supper Trattoria, Chuko Ramen Poppy’s Bagel and Starbucks while Stellar Partners will provide speciality retail stores like Buzzfeed News/, Beekman 1802, MAC, Le Labo, Briggs & Riley, Patricia Nash, Beekman and True to New York. Terminal C will also be home to the newest and largest Delta Sky Club in the system, providing over 34,000 square feet when complete to relax and recharge, with seating for nearly 600 guests.
The opening of Delta’s $4 billion Terminal C will help provide a state-of-the-art passenger experience, easing connections and creating lasting impressions.
Governor Kathy Hochul
Stunning Public Art Celebrating the Diversity of Queens and New York
Inspiring public art curated by the Queens Museum to reflect the cultural diversity of Queens will greet passengers as they move through the airport. The six artworks are the creations of artists Mariam Ghani, Rashid Johnson, Aliza Nisenbaum, Virginia Overton, Ronny Quevedo, and Fred Wilson. Works include sculptures and painted ceramic murals, that span the building’s multi-floor light-filled entry space, as well as baggage claim and other areas throughout the terminal. Each artwork tells a compelling story about the city’s immigrant history, its people, and the importance of celebrating diversity throughout the region.
A Whole New LGA Nears Completion Six Years After First Breaking Ground
The total $8 billion transformation of LaGuardia Airport makes it the first new major airport built in the United States in the last 25 years. In 2015, a comprehensive plan to construct a whole new LaGuardia Airport was unveiled with the goal of creating a world-class, 21st-century passenger experience featuring brand new terminals and gates, two stunning new arrivals and departures halls, modern customer amenities, state-of-the-art architecture, more spacious gate areas and a unified terminal system. The $8 billion projects, two-thirds of which is funded through private financing and existing passenger fees, broke ground in 2016.
Construction of a new LaGuardia Airport generated a record-setting $2 billion in contracts awarded to Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises, the largest participation by MWBE firms in any public-private partnership project in New York State history. The project has also demonstrated a significant focus on working with locally-based contractors; to date, $800 million in contracts have been awarded to Queens-based local business enterprises.
The new airport has been built in phases to ensure that it remained fully operational and never lost capacity throughout construction. Every existing passenger facility, with the exception of the historic Marine Air Terminal, has been or will be demolished and replaced with new 21st century, world-class facilities.
In February 2018, the new Terminal B parking garage opened with over 3,000 spaces and a dedicated level for Uber, Lyft and other for-hire car services. In December 2018, the first of 18 new gates and the first new concourse in Terminal B opened. In November 2019, Delta opened its first new concourse and seven new gates at Terminal C. In June 2020, the light-filled new Arrivals and Departures Hall at Terminal B opened amid the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. With Terminal C’s opening, the airport’s new roadway network is being completed with 8.4 miles of new roads and 24 new bridges. In January 2022, the airport celebrated the completion of Terminal B’s passenger facilities including its second pedestrian sky bridge as one of the airport’s signature architectural features.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is a bi-state agency that builds, operates, and maintains many of the most important transportation and trade infrastructure assets in the country. For over a century, the agency’s network of aviation, ground, rail, and seaport facilities has been among the busiest in the country, supporting more than 550,000 regional jobs, and generating more than $23 billion in annual wages and $80 billion in annual economic activity. The Port Authority also owns and manages the 16-acre World Trade Center campus, which hosts millions of annual visitors and tens of thousands of office workers. The Port Authority receives no tax revenue from either the states of New York or New Jersey or from the city of New York. The agency raises the necessary funds for the improvement, construction or acquisition of its facilities primarily on its own credit.
