LaGuardia has a long and storied history. The airport site was first occupied by the Gala Amusement Park, a popular destination owned by the Steinway family. In 1929, the park was transformed into a 105-acre private flying field and first named Glenn H. Curtiss Airport after aviation pioneer Glenn H. Curtiss, and then re-named North Beach Airport.
In 1937, New York City took over the airport and enlarged the grounds with the purchase of adjoining land and by filling in 357 acres of waterfront along the east side. In 1939, it re-opened with a new name, New York Municipal Airport-LaGuardia Field. The airport was leased to the Port Authority in 1947.
Today, LaGuardia Airport is one of the busiest in the nation, handling more than 23 million passengers in 2008.
The Port Authority and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) are dedicated to making your travel experience safe and secure. We ask you to take a moment to become familiar with some important security measures. By reviewing them now, you will save time at the airport.
The key to getting through the airport faster is being prepared. Take these steps in order to minimize time at security checkpoints:
- Pack luggage in layers (this increases visibility when baggage is scanned)
- Ready your boarding pass and ID
- Take off outer garments and shoes
- Place any loose metal objects in your carry-on
- Remove your laptop from your bag and place it in the bin
- Passengers should consider placing additional items in checked baggage since this will ensure a more efficient screening process at TSA screening checkpoints (passengers are reminded that the air carriers request they bring only one carry-on bag and one personal item per person).
- Passengers are encouraged to have prescription cards for all medications including syringes. Medications should be in original packaging.
- Passengers can also expect additional security procedures to be in place including possible body pat downs.
- Passengers should give themselves extra time to check in and proceed through the security checkpoint before their flight, especially during the busy holiday travel season.
Liquids: Keep in mind that liquids are allowed in carry-on luggage only in accordance with the TSA’s 3-1-1 format. Please review this policy .
Prohibited Items: Click here for a list of prohibited items.
Batteries : Click here for more information if you’re traveling with battery-powered equipment.
Food/Gifts : Click here for more information. There are some exceptions to these policies for customers with disabilities and medical conditions.
Visa/Passport Information : Visit the Department of Homeland Security Web site here for more information.
Passengers with questions may contact the Transportation Security Administration Coordination Center at (866) 289-9673. Click here to visit the TSA Web site .
TRANSPORTING FIREARMS
State gun laws vary considerably. Before possessing and carrying firearms into New York or New Jersey, please be aware of local state gun control laws. Please check with New York State Police or New Jersey State Police prior to possessing and carrying a weapon into New York or New Jersey.
TRAVELING WITH PETS
When traveling with pets, pets should remain in their carriers at all times except for service animals. The Port Authority of NY and NJ and our airport partners have provided pet relief areas for customers. These areas are located in the arrivals area of each terminal. Follow the signs in the baggage claim areas or ask a Customer Care Representative for information.
Owners can take their animals to these pet relief areas and allow the pets to relieve themselves. Owners are expected to clean up after their animals with the materials provided in the pet relief areas. Pet owners whose animals have an accident elsewhere in the terminal are expected to clean up after their animals and notify a member of the cleaning crew.
There are no pet relief areas beyond security checkpoints in any of the terminals at the Port Authority airports.
As policies relating to the transportation of pets vary by airline and time of year, we suggest you contact your airlines directly for details.
TRUSTED TRAVELER PROGRAMS
U.S. Customs and Border Protection offers expedited travel for pre-approved, low risk travelers who qualify. For information on CBP’s Global Entry Program,click here .
For more information visit: Transportation Security Agency (TSA) , Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) .
More than 70 airlines operate out of JFK. The following is a comprehensive listing on the best way to contact each of them. Please note that the following links (below in blue) and phone numbers are based on the most current information available. Please confirm terminals with your airline.
Please also note that some international flights arriving late at night may be required to clear Federal Inspection Services at Terminal 4 arrivals area rather than the arrival terminal listed below.
Airlines Phone Numbers IATA Code Departures Terminal Arrivals Terminal
Air Canada(888) 247-2262
American Airlines(800) 433-7300
American Shuttle(800) 433-7300
Envoy Airlines(800) 433-7300
Delta Air Lines(800) 221-1212
Delta Shuttle Boston(800) 325-5205
Delta Shuttle Chicago and Washington, D.C.(800) 325-5205
Frontier Airlines(800) 432-1FLY [359]
JetBlue Airways1-800-JETBLUE (1-800-538-2583)
Southwest Airlines(800) 435-9792
Spirit(801) 401-2222
United Airlines(800) 241-6522
Virgin America(877) 359-8474
WestJet(888) WESTJET (888-937-8538) res. (866) 666-6224 baggage (877) 952-0100 TTY
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LIMOUSINE SERVICES
Reservations for private car services can be made at the Port Authority Welcome Center located on the Arrivals level of each terminal. If the center is closed, there is a convenient self-service kiosk nearby where you can contact authorized private car services.
BETWEEN EWR AND MANHATTAN
Dial 7 Car & Limo Service
(800) 222- 9888
(212) 777-7777
BETWEEN EWR AND WESTCHESTER, CONNECTICUT, PENNYSLVANIA
Connecticut Limousine
(800) 472-5466
(203) 878-6867
Dave’s Best Limousine
(800) 255-2378
(215) 288-1000
Dial 7 Car & Limo Service
(800) 222-9888
(212) 777-7777
BETWEEN EWR AND NEY JERSEY
Dial 7 Car & Limo Service
(800) 222-9888
(212) 777-7777
BETWEEN EWR AND QUEENS, BROOKLYN, BRONX, STATEN ISLAND
Dial 7 Car & Limousine Service
(800) 222-9888
(212) 777-7777
BETWEEN EWR AND LONG ISLAND
Dial 7 Car & Limo Service
(800) 222-9888
(212) 777-7777
BETWEEN EWR AND UPSTATE NEW YORK
Dial 7 Car & Limo Service
(800) 222-9888
(212) 777-7777
SAFETY TIP: Ignore offers of transportation from solicitors in the terminal. Soliciting of ground transportation is illegal and many illegal solicitors are unlicensed and uninsured. To obtain ground transportation information, please visit the Port Authority Welcome Center located in the arrivals area of each terminal, where uniformed staff will be happy to assist you. Ignore non-uniformed people offering to assist with baggage. Seek out uniformed porters or airline employees for baggage assistance.