The best free amenity at LaGuardia is hiding in plain sight

Zach Griff

2 hours ago

ZACH GRIFF

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My favorite place to relax before a flight isn’t the terminal or the lounge.

It’s outdoors.

As someone who spends more time in airports than I care to admit, there’s nothing better than getting some fresh air and (hopefully) some sunshine before boarding.

And while some of the best lounges have terraces, the best airports make outdoor access an amenity available to everyone — no special credit card required.

Denver, JFK’s Terminal 5, Long Beach, and San Diego all do this well. But there’s one more airport that quietly joined the club, and almost nobody knows about it.

It’s New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA).

Where to find it

The outdoor observation deck is located inside Delta’s Terminal C. You’ll find it just before Gates 61 through 69.

The good news is that all gates in Terminal C are connected airside, so you can grab some fresh air no matter which pier you’re departing from.

It’s not signed particularly well, which is probably why so few people seem to know about it.

Once you’re outside, you’ll get great views of the airfield, with the Whitestone Bridge in the background. There are benches, plenty of standing room, and even a small gap between the glass walls so you can snap photos without any glare.

I didn’t check for power outlets, but I wish more airports would offer similar outdoor terraces.

Just note that the deck is open seasonally from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., and it’s weather-dependent.

Bottom line

If you’re flying out of LaGuardia’s Terminal C and have time to kill, skip the crowded gate areas and head outside.

It’s free, quiet, and a much better way to spend the final minutes before boarding.

I’d love to see Terminal B add something similar, but I wouldn’t hold out hope. The new Capital One Landing already occupies the only terrace there.

Zach Griff Author

Zach Griff is a travel expert who’s covered airlines, loyalty programs, credit cards, and travel tech for nearly a decade. He’s visited 60+ countries and regularly shares his insights across Instagram, TikTok and X — and at From the Tray Table.

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