America’s ‘best airport’ and ‘best airline’ revealed in Forbes aviation awards

An acclaimed New York airport has received its first-ever Best US Airport Award this year Forbes Travel Guide.

Forbes announced that Queens’ LaGuardia Airport is this year’s top choice, in part because of its $8 billion transformation.

The final selection was based on a survey of 5,000 hospitality and travel experts and the most traveled fliers from the Forbes Travel Guide.

“From the very beginning, our mission at LaGuardia Airport has been to transform what was once the worst airport in the country into one that would rival the best in the world,” said Rick Cotton, the port authority’s executive director, in a statement press release.

“Today’s award from Forbes Travel Guide is further proof that together with our private partners, Delta Air Lines and LaGuardia Gateway Partners, we have created a new LaGuardia Airport that is no longer a national laughing stock, but something our entire region and our country can be proud of.’

LaGuardia Airport was known for its unsatisfactory reputation before its $8 billion start nearly a decade ago.

The airport, once the Gala amusement park, covers more than 650 hectares of land.

One of the largest projects was for Terminal B, which included a parking garage, new gates and a 1.3 million square meter arrivals and departures hall.

Awards and certifications started piling up last year, and it even received the 2023 Airport Service Quality Award for the best airport in North America (25-40 million passengers).

“This award from Forbes Travel Guide, recognizing LaGuardia as the best airport in the country, is a testament to all the hard work and resources the Port Authority and our partners have invested to reimagine what LaGuardia could become Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’ Toole said.

“Today we no longer imagine what our airports can become. We are realizing our goal of creating world-class airports across our region.”

LaGuardia Airport was known for its unsatisfactory reputation before its $8 billion expansion nearly a decade ago

Terminal B was one of the newly constructed areas and former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo unveiled the airport’s arrivals and departures hall in 2020

Forbes Travel Guide created the Verified Air Travel Awards to celebrate airline and airport experiences.

“At Forbes Travel Guide, we have always been focused on identifying, qualifying and celebrating the best luxury hospitality experiences, and air travel has always been a key part of that,” CEO of Forbes Travel Guide Herman Elger said earlier this year.

‘And as the industry has developed rapidly, with some airlines and airports beginning to offer a level of luxury comparable to luxury hotels, it felt like the perfect time for both the industry and consumers to lend us our expertise in this area. have it applied. .’

Elger added that a focus on “personalization and innovation” were two trends experts that stood out when selecting the winners.

“Whether it’s TSA’s implementation of facial recognition at U.S. airports or the customized service offered by NetJets and Emirates, the industry is adapting to provide travelers with more customized, seamless experiences,” he said .

‘Sustainability and wellbeing are also becoming an increasingly important factor, and I expect we will see even more emphasis on healthier and evolved eco-friendly travel in the future.’

Forbes Travel Guide created the Verified Air Travel Awards to celebrate airline and airport experiences

LaGuardia wasn’t the only U.S. airport to receive a Verified Air Travel Award in 2023.

Forbes Travel Guide recognized Delta One at John F Kennedy International Airport as the Best US Airline Lounge.

The Transportation Security Administration also received the Innovation of the Year award for implementing facial recognition at U.S. airports.

Outside the US, Dubai International Airport and Jewel Changi Airport took home the awards for Best Airport Dining and Best Airport Wellness Experience for their Forest Valley and Rain Vortex Gardens.

Delta Airlines has won several Verified Air Travel Awards this year, including Best American Airline and Best Domestic Business Class.