LaGuardia’s Remarkable Transformation: From “Third-World” to America’s Best Airport
In a stunning reversal of fortune that few could have predicted, New York’s LaGuardia Airport has been crowned the Best US Airport in Forbes Travel Guide’s second annual Verified Air Travel Awards. This recognition marks a dramatic turnaround for an airport that less than a decade ago was so notoriously inadequate that former President Biden compared it to “some third-world country.” The remarkable transformation has been fueled by nearly $8 billion in renovations completed last year, reimagining the once-maligned Queens hub into a world-class facility that travelers now praise rather than dread. The revitalized LaGuardia features spacious gate areas, striking modern architecture, and dining options from beloved New York institutions like H&H Bagels and Junior’s. This isn’t LaGuardia’s first recent accolade either – earlier this year, Skytrax also named it the Best Airport in North America for 2025, specifically for domestic and short-haul international travel.
Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton acknowledged the improbable nature of this turnaround, stating, “A decade ago, the suggestion that LaGuardia Airport would one day be recognized on the world stage as the best regional airport in North America would have been laughable.” He proudly noted that the Port Authority and its private partners delivered on their promise to build “a world-class airport, with inspiring architecture, public art, iconic concessions and state-of-the-art technology that has propelled LaGuardia from worst to best in the nation in the eyes of the critics and passengers alike.” This transformation represents one of the most dramatic quality improvements in American infrastructure in recent memory, proving that with proper investment and vision, even the most maligned facilities can be reinvented.
While LaGuardia topped the domestic rankings, Singapore Changi Airport claimed the title of Best International Airport in the Forbes awards. Changi represents the gold standard in what an airport can be – less a simple transportation hub and more a destination unto itself. The Singapore facility features an astonishing array of amenities that redefine the airport experience: a 10-story shopping mall, multiple indoor gardens, a butterfly center, a rooftop pool, a museum, a 24-hour movie theater, and even a dinosaur theme park. Perhaps most striking is the Rain Vortex, the world’s largest indoor waterfall, which cascades approximately 130 feet. Changi’s recognition highlights the growing global trend of airports evolving beyond mere transit points to become sophisticated, entertaining complexes designed to enhance the overall travel experience.
In the airline category, Delta Air Lines emerged as the big winner among US carriers, securing five 2025 Verified Air Travel Awards – more than any other airline. The Atlanta-based carrier, which celebrates its centennial this year, was named Best US Airline for the second consecutive year. Delta also received accolades for Best US First Class with its A321neo cabin featuring 20 memory-foam-padded recliners, while Delta One was recognized as the Best US Business Class. These recognitions reflect Delta’s significant investments in passenger comfort and premium experiences, even as many airlines have been criticized for cutting services and amenities in recent years. Emirates, meanwhile, maintained its position as Best International Airline, continuing its reputation for luxury service and attention to detail on global routes.
One of Delta’s most significant achievements was having its JFK Delta One Lounge named the Best US Airline Lounge. Opened in 2024 as the first dedicated lounge for Delta One passengers, the JFK facility exceeds the size of any Sky Club and represents a major elevation in airport lounge experiences. The lounge offers amenities that would be at home in a luxury spa or high-end restaurant, including full-body massage chairs, fine dining options, and shower suites complete with robes and slippers. For business travelers, the lounge features soundproof booths for uninterrupted work. In addition to its physical facilities, Delta was also recognized for having the Best Airline App, which provides passengers with live flight updates, personalized notifications, luggage tracking capabilities, and upgrade certificate redemptions, highlighting the growing importance of digital tools in enhancing the travel experience.
Forbes Travel Guide’s awards, which span 18 categories including best first- and business-class cabins, airport lounges, and dining options, provide valuable recognition in an industry where passenger experience can vary dramatically. The transformation of LaGuardia Airport stands as a particularly inspiring case study in how dedicated investment and thoughtful design can completely revitalize critical infrastructure. As air travel continues to recover from pandemic-era disruptions, these awards highlight the facilities and carriers that are leading the way in reimagining what the travel experience can be. LaGuardia’s journey from national embarrassment to award-winning facility offers hope that other aging American infrastructure can similarly be reinvented for the modern era, while Delta’s multiple recognitions demonstrate that legacy carriers can still deliver innovative, passenger-focused experiences in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
