New Newark, LaGuardia terminals receive high honors at airport awards

After billions were spent building new terminals at LaGuardia and Newark Liberty airports, both were honored at the World Airport Awards, marking radical transformations for the oft-maligned travel hubs.

LaGuardia's new Terminal B was named the world's best new terminal at the award show in Amsterdam, while Terminal A at Newark was named third best, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates both airports, said in a press release.

In addition to finishing first in the new terminal category, Terminal B at LaGuardia received a 5-star rating from Skytrax, which gives global transportation ratings.

"Our goal at the Port Authority was to completely transform the customer experience at LaGuardia and Newark Liberty Terminal A, from curb to gate, by building a brand-new, world-class airport and terminal," Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton said in a statement. "Winning this prestigious award and becoming the first North American airport terminal to receive a 5-star rating from Skytrax proves that we have accomplished what many once said was impossible: elevate LaGuardia from worst to best."

Newark's Terminal A's third-place finish comes just three months after opening. The terminal cost $2.7 billion to build and construction began in 2018.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NYC Airports: New terminals at LaGuardia, Newark honored