Why flights get delayed at LGA
Crowded New York airspace
LaGuardia shares airspace with JFK and Newark, and the number of flights per hour is capped. There is very little room to recover from a delay.
Two short runways
With two intersecting runways, wind and weather changes quickly reduce capacity.
Thunderstorms
Summer storms close routes out of the region and cause long ground holds.
Flying through LGA soon? How to prepare
- Time it well.
- Know your airline's commitments. Check what your airline has promised for delays and cancellations in our airline policy guides, or see how to check it yourself.
- Line up a backup. Note the next couple of flights on your route and the alternate airports below before you leave home.
- Connecting here? Keep both flights on one ticket and choose a layover with room to spare above the minimum connection time.
The full list is in our pre-trip checklist.
Airlines most affected
New York LaGuardia is a hub or major base for Delta Air Lines and American Airlines. When the airport slows down, these airlines have the most flights to re-plan, but they also have the most later departures to rebook you onto. What you are offered during a delay depends on the carrier.
Check the live status
- The FAA shows current ground stops and delay programs for LGA at nasstatus.faa.gov.
- Departure boards, terminal and security information are on the official New York LaGuardia website.
If your flight is delayed or cancelled at LGA
- Find the real cause. Ask the gate agent, then compare it with the FAA status above. The cause decides what the airline owes you: see is it really a weather delay?
- Know your refund right. If the flight is cancelled, or delayed three hours or more (six for international), you can decline to travel and get your money back.
- Line up alternatives first. Look at later flights, other airlines and the alternate airports below before you reach the desk.
- Ask for what the airline has committed to. For delays within its control, that usually means a meal after three hours and a hotel overnight. Here is what to say.
The full walkthrough is in what to do when your flight is delayed.
Alternate airports near LGA
If flights out of New York LaGuardia are sold out or cancelled, these airports are within a realistic drive. Distances are approximate road miles. See how to switch airports without losing your booking.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| New York JFK | JFK | about 12 miles |
| Newark Liberty | EWR | about 28 miles |
| Westchester County | HPN | about 30 miles |