One More Time; What's So Bad About LGA....for Making a Connection?
Mar 26, 2017, 6:00 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Formerly at PIT, now planted near MSP.
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Posts: 1,483
One More Time; What's So Bad About LGA....for Making a Connection?
I usually don't connect through LGA, but sometimes it just makes sense.
I've heard how the locals don't care for LGA, but I've never been on the other side of security, so I can't relate to those issues.
However, I don't think it's that bad of an airport for making a connection. Short distances, nice buffet near Terminal D, plenty of New York stuff to buy, great views out the windows on arrival and departure. I like it.
I've heard how the locals don't care for LGA, but I've never been on the other side of security, so I can't relate to those issues.
However, I don't think it's that bad of an airport for making a connection. Short distances, nice buffet near Terminal D, plenty of New York stuff to buy, great views out the windows on arrival and departure. I like it.
Mar 26, 2017, 6:07 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
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I usually don't connect through LGA, but sometimes it just makes sense.
I've heard how the locals don't care for LGA, but I've never been on the other side of security, so I can't relate to those issues.
However, I don't think it's that bad of an airport for making a connection. Short distances, nice buffet near Terminal D, plenty of New York stuff to buy, great views out the windows on arrival and departure. I like it.
I've heard how the locals don't care for LGA, but I've never been on the other side of security, so I can't relate to those issues.
However, I don't think it's that bad of an airport for making a connection. Short distances, nice buffet near Terminal D, plenty of New York stuff to buy, great views out the windows on arrival and departure. I like it.
Mar 26, 2017, 6:25 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM; UA 1K; AA 1MM
Posts: 4,518
LGA is my preferred airport, warts and all, due to its proximity to me. I certainly don't dislike it.
The reason I tell people to be wary of connecting there is because ATC delays can, and often do, wreak havoc. Wind, rain, snow, low clouds, any number of things screw LGA up. As an O&D traveler that just slows me down, but for connecting traffic that can mess up an itinerary.
If everything runs smoothly, it's certainly an easy terminal setup to connect at.
The reason I tell people to be wary of connecting there is because ATC delays can, and often do, wreak havoc. Wind, rain, snow, low clouds, any number of things screw LGA up. As an O&D traveler that just slows me down, but for connecting traffic that can mess up an itinerary.
If everything runs smoothly, it's certainly an easy terminal setup to connect at.
Mar 26, 2017, 9:27 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2008
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As an O&D traveler it can mess up an itinerary too. I try to avoid booking the last flight of the day (especially on an RJ), though I've also seen earlier flights canceled while the last flight goes out.
Mar 26, 2017, 9:59 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM; UA 1K; AA 1MM
Posts: 4,518
True, and when I'm flying out of LGA but have a connection someplace like ATL or DTW, I never choose the 45 minute connection, I always book an earlier LGA flight with a longer connection to allow buffer.
Mar 26, 2017, 10:43 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SJC
Programs: DL PM MM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 3,276
I usually don't connect through LGA, but sometimes it just makes sense.
I've heard how the locals don't care for LGA, but I've never been on the other side of security, so I can't relate to those issues.
However, I don't think it's that bad of an airport for making a connection. Short distances, nice buffet near Terminal D, plenty of New York stuff to buy, great views out the windows on arrival and departure. I like it.
I've heard how the locals don't care for LGA, but I've never been on the other side of security, so I can't relate to those issues.
However, I don't think it's that bad of an airport for making a connection. Short distances, nice buffet near Terminal D, plenty of New York stuff to buy, great views out the windows on arrival and departure. I like it.
Mar 27, 2017, 3:10 am
#7
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Mar 27, 2017, 8:33 am
#8
Join Date: Jun 2015
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I usually don't connect through LGA, but sometimes it just makes sense.
I've heard how the locals don't care for LGA, but I've never been on the other side of security, so I can't relate to those issues.
However, I don't think it's that bad of an airport for making a connection. Short distances, nice buffet near Terminal D, plenty of New York stuff to buy, great views out the windows on arrival and departure. I like it.
I've heard how the locals don't care for LGA, but I've never been on the other side of security, so I can't relate to those issues.
However, I don't think it's that bad of an airport for making a connection. Short distances, nice buffet near Terminal D, plenty of New York stuff to buy, great views out the windows on arrival and departure. I like it.
https://www.transtats.bts.gov/airports.asp?pn=1
Mar 27, 2017, 9:08 am
#9
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Posts: 937
Delta pads their LGA flights by a solid hour knowing that you'll often be #26 for takeoff.
I think its a pretty easy airport to navigate and Delta's terminals are nice, but unless the savings is substantial I would change planes in another airport if at all possible.
I think its a pretty easy airport to navigate and Delta's terminals are nice, but unless the savings is substantial I would change planes in another airport if at all possible.
Mar 27, 2017, 9:08 am
#10
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Join Date: Apr 2001
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Posts: 27,234
The reason I tell people to be wary of connecting there is because ATC delays can, and often do, wreak havoc. Wind, rain, snow, low clouds, any number of things screw LGA up. As an O&D traveler that just slows me down, but for connecting traffic that can mess up an itinerary.
Mar 27, 2017, 9:28 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Palm Beach/ New England
Programs: AA EXP 3MM, DL GM, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,382
I try to avoid connections at LGA. But sometimes there are no other reasonable options. Summer evening MCI-PWM options have occasionally appeared on DL via LGA (although I far prefer ATL or CLT on AA). I don't want to leave the office before 3pm, and LGA has in the past offered the only plausible connection.
If there is the slightest bit of weather then the takeoff queue at LGA backs up horribly, and departure delays stretch readily into hours not minutes.
If there is the slightest bit of weather then the takeoff queue at LGA backs up horribly, and departure delays stretch readily into hours not minutes.
Mar 27, 2017, 10:09 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: DL PM, SPG Platinum
Posts: 616
If someone sneezes, LGA goes into a ground stop. If it rains, delays back up.
If you have a long layover, you're fine. But I won't risk anything shorter than an hour anymore with LGA.
I've taken to flying BOS-DTW-PIT just to avoid going via LGA. Yes, I know there is a B6 non-stop.
If you have a long layover, you're fine. But I won't risk anything shorter than an hour anymore with LGA.
I've taken to flying BOS-DTW-PIT just to avoid going via LGA. Yes, I know there is a B6 non-stop.
Mar 27, 2017, 10:30 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2002
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Most LGA connections for me are at the Marine Air Terminal -- DCA-LGA-ORD and vv. And for me, at least, the schedules are padded enough that I usually can still grab the earlier connection, going either way.
Did one connection that took me to the main LGA -- WX or MX at DTW so I flew DCA-LGA-TPA. Easy bus connection from MAT to main terminal and on a Saturday afternoon so no delays at security. Maybe I'm just lucky!
Did one connection that took me to the main LGA -- WX or MX at DTW so I flew DCA-LGA-TPA. Easy bus connection from MAT to main terminal and on a Saturday afternoon so no delays at security. Maybe I'm just lucky!
Mar 27, 2017, 10:46 am
#14
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: JFK/LGA
Posts: 1,423
Problem with LGA is that with 2 intersecting runways, all it takes is the wind to come from the wrong direction and they are in single runway operations. As long as you are not going between main Delta terminal and Marine Air Terminal, connecting is rather simple, but I would not risk the delay issues. Even JFK is not immune. Last night, my parents got severely delayed because JFK was in single runway operations (fortunately they made it back as they were not flying Delta and the aairline they were on their flight got in, but Delta Connection was canceled).