LaGuardia Airport Turns 70

The Port Authority alerted us to a new slideshow they put together in celebration of LaGuardia Airport's 70th Birthday! What, you don't want to celebrate an airport where you've undoubtedly suffered through delays? Too bad! LGA was dedicated on October 15th, 1939, as the New York Municipal Airport, and opened for business on December 2nd of that year. Didn't things look so hopeful and exciting back then? See the full slideshow here. Time magazine called it "the most pretentious land and seaplane base in the world." Would it have been just as impressive if LaGuardia had been approved to build it on Governors Island?

Sadly, LGA won't be offering Virgin Galactic flights to outer space. Yes, that is a real thing that is happening.

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By Jen Carlson in Arts & Entertainment on December 7, 2009 5:23 PM

Comments [rss]

ANGRYGOD11

Alzheimer's must have started at 60.

NannyState

I wish I could take a TWA Super Constellation to Munich out of there.

Potty Boy

I suppose it's a distant concern to the air-safety record and overall security, but their roadway signage is confusing.

wiseguynyc

Great slide show but it makes you realize how far the once glamorous airport has fallen (along with the fortunes of the rest of the aviation industry for that matter).

Having flown through the Delta terminal more times than I wish to remember it's evident that NYC is really a third-world country when it comes to our transportation infrastructure. Elected officials should really make this a bigger priority.