American Is Moving Into A Single Terminal At New York’s LaGuardia Airport

With the number of airline mergers we’ve seen lately (including with Alaska, American, Delta, and United), airlines have had scattered operations at many airports. Obviously airlines often operated out of different airports pre-merger, and once those mergers closed, it wasn’t easy to just move things around overnight. in order to simplify operations.

One example of this has been at LaGuardia Airport, where American’s operations have been split between Terminals B & C. Historically American operated out of Terminal B, while US Airways operated out of Terminal C, though after the merger they easily consolidate operations.

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Well, it looks like that will finally be happening. All American Airlines flights will be operating out of Terminal B at LaGuardia Airport as of December 9, 2017.

Here are the musical chairs taking place at LaGuardia as of December 9, according to the Port Authority:

• American will consolidate its operations – including American Airlines Shuttle – at Terminal B, ceasing its flights at Terminal C
• Delta will co-locate its LaGuardia operations in Terminals C and D by relocating its Delta Shuttle to Chicago and Washington, D.C. from Terminal A (Marine Air Terminal) to Terminal C
• JetBlue and Alaska will move its operations to Terminal A (Marine Air Terminal) from Terminal B
• Frontier and Spirit also will move from Terminal B and begin operations at Terminal D (Departing passengers, however, must check in at Terminal C.)

Here’s how American describes the move in their press release:

Upon the move, all American flights from LGA will be located in Terminal B. Since Dec. 2013, flights have been split between Terminals B and C. This consolidated operation means all customers will check in at Terminal B and American will operate flights from each of the terminal’s four concourses.

“Moving our entire operation under one roof will not only make travel easier for our customers traveling to, from and through LaGuardia but our team members will enjoy upgraded spaces and be better able to work together,” said Loretta Bove, managing director – LGA Hub Operations. “Customers will know exactly which terminal to check in to, they won’t have to travel far for their connections and Admirals Club members can enjoy our upgraded club featuring one of the best views of New York City.”

And here’s a map of American’s consolidated operations at LaGuardia:

In theory the consolidation is good news, though there is a major downside. Currently American has an Admirals Club in both Terminals B & C, while going forward they’ll only have one in Terminal B. So they’ll be serving the same number of passengers with just one lounge (in fairness, the Terminal C lounge is smaller, but still).

Furthermore, the above map may look straightforward, though the annoying thing is that the four concourses aren’t actually connected airside. There will be an airside shuttle bus connecting the concourses, but if you want to walk between the concourses you’ll have to exit security.

Bottom line

American is moving into a single terminal at LaGuardia, though it doesn’t simplify and improve things as much as you’d expect. The airline will have a single lounge going forward, and even though they’re technically in a single terminal, a bus ride will still be required to connect between concourses.