The Problem With New York’s LaGuardia Airport

New York’s LaGuardia Airport is one of the most convenient airports for much of New York City and its surrounding areas. However, it is vastly limited in terms of the flights that it can host, thanks to a perimeter rule. From time-to-time, there is some talk about lifting that perimeter rule.

What exactly is this perimeter rule? And how would lifting it impact LaGuardia Airport?

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[KN-koez]

I’ve flown into and out of LGA a lot and not once have I thought, “this is a very convenient and pleasant airport”.

[javianjohnson]

I didn't even know there were such a thing as a "Perimeter Rule". Thanks for educating me, YouTube algorithm

[blue]

I assumed flights were limited at LGA because of the runways and didn't know about the perimeter rule

[Jprice]

I’m watching this saying to myself “I’ve flown to Denver several times from LGA. ?!?!?” Then I hear the exception lol

[syramento]

Back in the 1970's and '80's, when I was an air traffic controller at LaGuardia, wide-bodied DC-10's, L1011's and A300's would fly in and out of the airport. In fact, the DC10 and L1011 were specifically designed to be capable of operating at LGA.

[YAZZYUTUBE]

Airlines get around the "Perimeter Rule" at LGA all the time by making intermediate stops on their TRANSCON routes. Like LAX stopover in ATL then continue to LGA for Delta. LAX stopover in ORD then continue to LGA for American.

[paulw.woodring]

A solution not discussed, but one that could go a long way to solving capacity problems at many U. S. airports is creating an integrated transportation system that directly connects our airports to intercity passenger rail, as is common in Europe and much of the rest of the World. There would be far less demand for flights of under 500 to 750 miles if that traffic was diverted to rail and would open up slots for longer flights, making use of airports far more efficient.

[thomas]

before the pandemic LGA was absolutly crowded, although they get a complete make over it does not change the fact that at peak hours there were some 20 planes queues for take off. So as so many slots are already blocked at LGA and even bigger planes are used (less 50seaters and more 737 and A320s). Even if transcon and transatlantic flights were to be allowed there would be no slots.

[teamtennistoday]

The perimeter rule could be lifted, but how can LGA accommodate such a change? Even with the terminal expansions, LGA is at capacity. Where would gate and slot accommodations come from? I don't honestly see this happening, because even secondary cities receiving LGA services are profitable (I would imagine) and therefore these flights would need to be eradicated in order to accommodate hub flying.

[skyserf]

imho EWR/JFK/LGA/SWF and DCA/IAD/BWI need high speed rail between each of them to allow for better use of the larger airports.

[joncalon]

Bear in mind that I’ve flown out (not in) of LGA once, I admit that lifting the perimeter rule wouldn’t do that much for the airport but trying to increase arrival/departure slots would not do. From the time the door closed to getting airborne was close to half an hour, and from what I’m told, that’s a good day!

[gteixeira]

If LaGuardia Airport gets expanded, it will just choke on other limitations, like the lack of rail connections.

[oyeche]

I love that this is the only airport in the NYC area where an an employee can actually ride their bicycle into. When in traffic bicycles can get through traffic much easier. Just last night I ride my folding Brompton bike to pick up my son and then we took mass transit home to NJ. It would be great if ALL airports offered a safe way to bike into airports.

[cristiandiaz]

I would definitely love it since I live in the Bronx and the taxi ride is shorter and less expensive. I think that Newark would lose out as most New-Yorkers prefer to avoid New Jersey all together (if they could).

[jerrykinnin]

My family and i flew into Laguerta on vacation once. Laguerta definitely needs a subway/train/other connection other than Cabs.
Atlanta has this. This was pre gov. Flu.

[Sacto]

They won't lift the Perimeter Rule because of the presence of JFK airport, which is designed to handle longer flights. Also, the relatively short length of LGA's runways mitigate against longer range flying anyway.

[masonjones]

Flew outta lga a few times within the last few months. Gotta say it’s much improved with the upgrades

[donschwartz]

I grew up in the flight path of LGA. When I took my first flight on Eastern Airlines, I later worked for them at JFK in college, I saw my mother hanging curtains in the living room when we were landing. One thing I learned while working for eastern is that pilots were not crazy about the airport. It has short runways, 7000 feet, and water on both ends. Several planes did wind up in the river. On top of that it was a steeper than normal approach and departure which added to the dislike. It was built in the 1930's for props. They could extend the runways being that there is water on each end but unlikely they will. The final pain to LGA is the traffic around it.

[johfertitta]

What New York City needs is a huge international airport built in the Meadowlands of New Jersey --- with Newark kept open for logistics only. (principally airfreight.) This new airport would be connected to Manhattan with a rail link over the George Washington Bridge and another through the existing Hudson Tubes to Lower Manhattan.

[pf]

One correction, Lisbon and Porto are also within the range of the A321LR, for example TAP Air Portugal uses these aircraft on their Newark, Washington, Boston, Toronto and Motreal routes.