Delta Air Lines this week launched the biggest expansion by any single airline at New York’s LaGuardia Airport in 40 years, launching flights to 12 new cities, with another 14 set to take off in July.
The expansion is the culmination of a controversial slot swap deal with US Airways, in which Delta will its presence at LaGuardia by about 60%, adding about 100 daily flights and 4 million seats annually. US Airways will shrink by about the same number of flights.
A press conference in front of Gate 10 to celebrate the milestone was led by Delta’s Vice President for New York, Gail Grimmett. A number of local politicians were also in attendance, including City Councilman Leroy Comrie and the Director of Aviation for the New York City Economic Development Corporation, David Hopkins. All of the speakers touted the convenience benefits to travelers and the boost to the overall economy expected to be realized through the expansion.
The added flights pushed the airline’s footprint beyond its own terminal into the eastern end of Terminal C, formerly occupied by US Airways. A bridge connecting the two buildings is under construction, but until it is finished, a bus beyond security shuttles between them. Flights for both terminals are listed on the arrival and departure screens: Gate numbers in Terminal C are preceded by a “C” on the display to prevent confusion. US Airways remains on the western end of Terminal C, while Delta Shuttle flights remain in the Marine Air Terminal.
Delta plans to spend $160 million renovating the two terminals while adding about 700 jobs.
A sign adjacent to the SkyClub in the main Delta terminal directs passengers to the bus stop for Terminal C. Another sign touts the benefits of the airline's massive expansion. (Photo by Matt Molnar)
- Dallas
- Miami
- Washington-Dulles
- Syracuse, N.Y.
- Buffalo, N.Y.
- Rochester, N.Y.
- Richmond, Va.
- Norfolk, Va.
- Manchester, N.H.
- Burlington, Vt.
- Greensboro, N.C.
- Louisville, Ky.
- Denver
- Houston
- Cleveland
- Philadelphia
- Pittsburgh
- Milwaukee, Wis.
- Charlotte, N.C.
- Wilmington, N.C.
- Roanoke, Va.
- Charlottesville, Va.
- Myrtle Beach, S.C.
- Montreal, Quebec
- Ottawa, Ontario
- Fort Lauderdale
- Orlando
- Jacksonville, Fla.
- Ft. Myers, Fla.
- Indianapolis
- Kansas City
- Chicago
- Nashville
- Raleigh-Durham, N.C.
- Greenville, S.C.
- Columbia, S.C.
- Portland, Me.
- Bangor, Me.
