Flying delta from NYC to DFW - LGA vs JFK
Sep 14, 2019, 5:18 am
#1
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Join Date: Apr 2011
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Flying delta from NYC to DFW - LGA vs JFK
Flying first class on the A220, I can choose either option. Usually, I’d pick LGA, but construction rumors are quite disturbing.
Any difference in terms of lines, lounge access, delays, etc.?
Any difference in terms of lines, lounge access, delays, etc.?
Sep 14, 2019, 5:43 am
#2
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Equipment is better out of LGA but the arrival process at Deltas terminals can be a nightmare at times. I got stuck in this mess a couple of weeks ago with an Uber that was 11 mins away for 45 mins and then canceled....huge line to get a bus to taxis and even huge lines to get on the MTA bus.
Im now using JFK or even EWR after that experience.
Im now using JFK or even EWR after that experience.
Sep 14, 2019, 6:27 am
#3
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LGA is a nightmare. At least with JFK you can take the train / subway / AirTran and know exactly how long it'll take vs. LGA which is all over the place.
I've been booking JFK even though LGA is more convenient for visiting my family and for visiting our NYC offices
I've been booking JFK even though LGA is more convenient for visiting my family and for visiting our NYC offices
Sep 14, 2019, 7:02 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2014
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It depends on the departure time. If it's an early morning flight, LGA hands down. I live in north Brooklyn and it takes me ~12 minutes on average to get there. Never any security lines, never had a delay. Even flew into LGA C terminal on Monday at 7pm and had a 14 minute Uber home.
If you can avoid rush hour and late evening departures (delays can start stacking up) LGA is lightyears ahead of JFK in experience. I've never had any issues with the construction there, they've actually cleaned up C in the last few months and it's super easy to get a ride share.
If you can avoid rush hour and late evening departures (delays can start stacking up) LGA is lightyears ahead of JFK in experience. I've never had any issues with the construction there, they've actually cleaned up C in the last few months and it's super easy to get a ride share.
Sep 14, 2019, 7:37 am
#6
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If you're not driving your car to the airport, note that most fares allow you to use one airport outbound and a different co-terminal for the return.
Sep 14, 2019, 9:14 am
#7
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I think the worst times at LGA (arriving and departing) are probably Monday mornings, and Thurs/Fri/Sun afternoon and evenings. I would definitely avoid LGA around then.
Theres a thread in the NYC forum with more discussion about the buses to taxis and general traffic conditions.
Theres a thread in the NYC forum with more discussion about the buses to taxis and general traffic conditions.
Sep 14, 2019, 9:44 am
#8
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 229
I think the answer depends quite a bit on how you access the airports, i.e. if you take car services/taxis vs. public transit. I take public transit almost exclusively to NYC-area airports and on that alone I prefer JFK -- the ability to entirely avoid road-based transit for me makes travel time a lot more reliable. Of course, I realize the subway isn't perfect, but as of late I've started taking the LIRR to cut out the subway trip, as I live relatively close to Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn (many people take it from Penn Station of course).
If you're taking a car, I think the calculus is different but as I do it so infrequently I feel I can't really speak to that.
If you're taking a car, I think the calculus is different but as I do it so infrequently I feel I can't really speak to that.
Sep 14, 2019, 10:09 am
#9
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It depends on the departure time. If it's an early morning flight, LGA hands down. I live in north Brooklyn and it takes me ~12 minutes on average to get there. Never any security lines, never had a delay. Even flew into LGA C terminal on Monday at 7pm and had a 14 minute Uber home.
If you can avoid rush hour and late evening departures (delays can start stacking up) LGA is lightyears ahead of JFK in experience. I've never had any issues with the construction there, they've actually cleaned up C in the last few months and it's super easy to get a ride share.
If you can avoid rush hour and late evening departures (delays can start stacking up) LGA is lightyears ahead of JFK in experience. I've never had any issues with the construction there, they've actually cleaned up C in the last few months and it's super easy to get a ride share.
Obviously not as big a deal when going to LGA but when leaving LGA it's been a nightmare for me.
Plus if OP has lounge access JFK T4 > all 3 LGA SkyClubs IMO and if not the JFK food options are better than LGA
Sep 14, 2019, 10:12 am
#10
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What are your tricks? I've on average waited 30 minutes for an Uber/Lyft that's "5 min away" and then it's taken another 20-30 minutes to get off the LGA property.
Obviously not as big a deal when going to LGA but when leaving LGA it's been a nightmare for me.
Plus if OP has lounge access JFK T4 > all 3 LGA SkyClubs IMO and if not the JFK food options are better than LGA
Obviously not as big a deal when going to LGA but when leaving LGA it's been a nightmare for me.
Plus if OP has lounge access JFK T4 > all 3 LGA SkyClubs IMO and if not the JFK food options are better than LGA
Sep 14, 2019, 10:20 am
#11
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What are your tricks? I've on average waited 30 minutes for an Uber/Lyft that's "5 min away" and then it's taken another 20-30 minutes to get off the LGA property.
Obviously not as big a deal when going to LGA but when leaving LGA it's been a nightmare for me.
Plus if OP has lounge access JFK T4 > all 3 LGA SkyClubs IMO and if not the JFK food options are better than LGA
Obviously not as big a deal when going to LGA but when leaving LGA it's been a nightmare for me.
Plus if OP has lounge access JFK T4 > all 3 LGA SkyClubs IMO and if not the JFK food options are better than LGA
I would agree that T4 SC is way better than the LGA ones, but it also takes about 3 months to walk to. For the purposes of minimizing time between apartment/hotel and boarding I haven't been able to do better than LGA D terminal at off hours. If you have clear and can count on quick security you can leave an hour from your flight departure time from a lot of BK/Manhattan locations.
Sep 14, 2019, 10:21 am
#12
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Sep 14, 2019, 10:28 am
#13
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Both airports offer miserable experiences IMO. Delta's terminals at LGA are in sad shape. The new terminal at JFK is better, but if you are checking a bag, be prepared to get lots of exercise. At least with JFK you can take the Airtrain to the Subway even though the Airtrain costs $5 to use. It's still shocking to me that no one ever thought to build a subway line to LGA.
Sep 14, 2019, 10:33 am
#14
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Is there any good experience at a NYC airport? The best I can think of would be some of the international carriers' lounges at JFK, but you still need to get past TSA airport security to get there. I guess flying private from a smaller airport would be OK too.
Sep 14, 2019, 10:43 am
#15
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I think the answer depends quite a bit on how you access the airports, i.e. if you take car services/taxis vs. public transit. I take public transit almost exclusively to NYC-area airports and on that alone I prefer JFK -- the ability to entirely avoid road-based transit for me makes travel time a lot more reliable. Of course, I realize the subway isn't perfect, but as of late I've started taking the LIRR to cut out the subway trip, as I live relatively close to Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn (many people take it from Penn Station of course).
If you're taking a car, I think the calculus is different but as I do it so infrequently I feel I can't really speak to that.
If you're taking a car, I think the calculus is different but as I do it so infrequently I feel I can't really speak to that.
Every NYC airport debate is settled by where you are departing from in the city and where you have to return to. If you live in Manhattan right next to the 63rd St. Bridge, LGA is a no-brainer, even on a Friday afternoon.