New York Has The Worst Airports In The Nation

Photo via mmonk's flickr

It's almost time to travel for the holidays, and here's your reminder that our airports are The Worst. The Daily Beast has done some number-crunching to determine that LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark airports rank the lowest of the 27 largest airports in the nation. The site explains that the airports were ranked in seven categories, using holiday travel data—they ask: "Does your holiday travel include a stopover at an airport from hell?" And the answer, New Yorkers, is yes. Here's the breakdown:

LaGuardia Airport (#19)

On-time departures 2010: 81%
On-time arrivals 2010: 75%
On-time holiday departures: 79%
On-time holiday arrivals: 77%
Average security wait time: 6 minutes
Tarmac nightmares: 23rd out of 27
Safety: 6th out of 27
Amenities: 27th out of 27

JFK Airport (#25)

On-time departures 2010: 77%
On-time arrivals 2010: 76%
On-time holiday departures: 81%
On-time holiday arrivals: 77%
Average security wait time: 7 minutes
Tarmac nightmares: 27th out of 27
Safety: 13th out of 27
Amenities: 20th out of 27

Newark Airport (#27)

On-time departures 2010: 76%
On-time arrivals 2010: 73%
On-time holiday departures: 77%
On-time holiday arrivals: 76%
Average security wait time: 7 minutes
Tarmac nightmares: 26th out of 27
Safety: 24th out of 27
Amenities: 26th out of 27

Well, at least you'll still probably have a better flight than this guy. Read his detailed account (with videos) of opting out of the x-ray machines—which eventually led to him leaving the airport and being told he could be sued civilly and face a $10,000 fine for leaving a secure area without a full screening.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in News on November 15, 2010 1:45 PM

Comments [rss]

Gwinny

sorry, I meant "a bit past 10 PM"...I finally got home a bit past midnight.

Gwinny

Last night I flew into JFK from LAX, arriving a bit past midnight... to find out the AirTrain was closed for repairs. Seriously, at 10 PM?? why not wait until a bit later in the night? Their solution was intermittent, WAY overcrowded buses to federal circle, then you had to take another bus to Jamaica Station from there. This all took about an hour. Pathetic!!

ANGRYGOD11

Unlike many other cities, JFK nor LGA have a direct subway station.

Just something else to add to the pain and traffic.

Jesse

JFK flying in from Burlington was fine but trying to fly back was a nightmare. Stuck at the airport for 12 hours because of an hour of rain.

As for Newark, I have yet to have a problem.

Shawn

When I worked at LGA we used to call it "LaGarbage."

ATC-wise, LGA has only two very short runways which only have CAT I ILS (pilot talk for 'can't land in low ceilings' meaning even mildly bad weather).

Both runways also end in water, so no room for expansion, unless you'd like to move... Rikers... and fill in Bowery Bay with land.

Any takers on that?

Since we are stuck with LGA might as well make it the trip as short as possible. Here's how to get there the fastest way possible using public transit.

http://vimeo.com/8975475

Kojak

You should be able to reclaim more land to extend the runways, which should allow planes larger than the 757 to land... but then that would bring in more traffic to an already overcrowded airport. & I doubt they'll lift the PGA perimeter rule anytime soon.

Yea so I guess we're fucked. Best thing we can do is update the terminals at all the airports.

Shawn

Agreed. Gut renovate those suckers. However I do love the Marine Air Terminal lobby, it's a 1931 movie set. Check it out sometime. Art Deco heaven!