'No longer a national laughingstock’: NYC’s LaGuardia named 'best US airport' by Forbes

New York City’s LaGuardia Airport is now considered the "best airport" in the country, according to a ranking from the Forbes Travel Guide released on Tuesday. It’s the latest accolade for an airport that’s undergone a major makeover after routinely coming in dead last in national rankings.

The new accolade is proof that LaGuardia “is no longer a national laughingstock, but something our entire region and country can be proud of,” Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton said in a statement.

“From the very start, our mission at LaGuardia Airport was to transform what was once the worst airport in the nation into an airport that would rival the best in the world,” he added.

LaGuardia previously had a reputation for being one of the worst U.S. travel hubs, with Joe Biden once calling it a "third-world country." But the airport began undergoing a facelift after officials unveiled a comprehensive plan in 2015. The $8 billion project began in 2016 and was “substantially completed” two years ago, according to the Port Authority.

The Forbes Travel Guide — which also ranked Delta One at JFK Airport’s Terminal 4 as the "best U.S. airline lounge" — said LaGuardia’s renovation earned it the top spot. Forbes said its travel guide is based on an “invite-only” survey of 5,000 hospitality and travel experts, along with frequent fliers.

LaGuardia's Terminal B previously won the Skytrax World’s "best new airport terminal" and the airport overall won an Airport Service Quality Award for "best North American airport" in its class. LaGuardia also received the 2021 Prix Versailles from UNESCO in recognition of its modernization.