LaGuardia Airport’s new, state-of-the-art Terminal B Arrivals and Departures Hall is now open, the most significant milestone to date in the airport’s ongoing $8 billion transformation. The project, one of the largest public-private partnerships in aviation history, includes the demolition and replacement of every terminal and concourse except for the historically-landmarked Marine Air Terminal.
The 850,000-sq-ft, four-story Terminal B Arrivals and Departures Hall offers a 21st-century airport experience that includes local concessions, large, modern restrooms, and a New York-inspired shopping district. The new Arrivals and Departures Hall also showcases permanent public art installations curated by the Public Art Fund, enhancing the passenger experience and underscoring New York’s global position as a beacon for arts and culture.
The new Terminal B serves American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Air Canada. By virtue of its size, the terminal presents greater opportunities to move passengers more safely and efficiently with improved distancing during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, including more space for check-in, security and baggage claim, along with innovations in contactless technology and an increased focus on cleanliness and disinfection.
“The opening of the new Arrivals and Departures Hall at Terminal B is the biggest milestone to date in the transformation of LaGuardia Airport into a world-class transportation hub that is worthy of New York State,” Governor Andrew M. Cuomo said. “As we continue to upgrade and modernize this airport for the 21st century, this new state-of-the-art hall will offer passengers a unique travel experience with new concessions, traveler amenities and art installations by four of the world’s leading artists, while increasing space for passengers to move more safely and efficiently during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The opening of the new arrivals and departures hall follows the openings of the new Terminal B parking garage in February 2018, the first new gates and concourse in Terminal B in December 2018, and the first new gates and concourse in Terminal C in October 2019.
The new Terminal B departures level is dramatically larger and offers four check-in islands with 75 individual check-in kiosks and a central oversize bag check-in station. There are 16 designated security lanes, three times the space for security checks. Dynamic signage in the TSA queue displays passenger wait times and allows queue zones to be adjusted based on passenger demand.
Security at LaGuardia’s new Terminal B now includes three state-of-the-art technology systems to expedite screening while prioritizing passenger safety. Checked baggage is screened more efficiently using an Artificial Intelligence-based, robotic-assisted convenience system, which quickly troubleshoots and diverts high-risk baggage for deeper inspection. Passengers with carry-on baggage will notice a new automated bin sequencing and retrieval system as they go through the TSA checkpoint. New body screening and metal detecting equipment is user friendly, has larger screening areas that eliminate the need to raise arms overhead, and features the most advanced imaging technology.
At the arrivals level, nine new large baggage carrousels offer additional space for distancing at baggage pick up.
There are 17 new large bathrooms across the new Arrivals and Departures Hall, featuring touch-free entry, sinks and hand dryers, to create greater opportunities for distancing when compared to the old Central Terminal Building.
The terminal is now home to a variety of concessions including many familiar businesses that are located in New York including Eli’s Essentials by New York food legend Eli Zabar, Chef Marc Forgione’s new Mulberry Street restaurant, Junior’s Cheesecake, Brooklyn Diner, Think Coffee, Tony + Benny’s Authentic Brooklyn Pizza, Hill Country, Texas-themed BBQ founded in NYC, NYC Aglow and Bowery Bay Shops.
The public art in the new facility is striking with artists Jeppe Hein, Sabine Hornig, Laura Owens, and Sarah Sze, having created four pieces designed specifically for the new facility.
All areas of the terminal are being cleaned to the highest CDC cleaning standards. There is digital signage throughout the terminal displaying COVID-19 related safety measures, including the face-covering requirement, distancing guidance, and reminders to wash hands frequently. TSA officers will wear face masks and follow strict procedures about glove use and sanitization when handling passenger baggage. Contactless food ordering and delivery are available using the At Your Gate App.
For more information on LaGuardia’ transformation, click here. For more updates on new protocols, visit Recommend’s Safe Travels page. Stories about future travel can be accessed at #AmazingDaysAhead.
