One map, pinned from each airport’s published coordinates.
Category scores
Overall is the published weighted sum. A highlighted score is ahead; a tie stays plain.
Ease of use
25% · Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
LGA5.8
JFK6.8+1.0
Comfort & amenities
20% · Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
LGA7.4+0.4
JFK7.0
Food & retail
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
LGA7.3
JFK7.5+0.2
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
LGA5.0
JFK7.8+2.8
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
LGA5.5
JFK7.0+1.5
Lounges
10% · Worth-it density and access quality.
LGA7.4+0.1
JFK7.3
Best for
LGA
Domestic and Canada/Caribbean short-haul from New YorkDelta flyers using the rebuilt Terminal C hubTravelers with Amex Platinum who can hit the Centurion in BQuick turnarounds when you pad hard for road traffic
JFK
International connectionsLounge varietyPublic transit accessFood options
Watch out for
LGA
Grand Central Parkway and East River crossings — 25 minutes off-peak becomes 70+ in rush hourWrong-terminal drop-off: A, B, and C are separate buildings with no sterile connectorPeak security crushes 0600–0900 and 1500–1900, especially multi-airline banks in BCurb and rideshare-lot meltdown after weather delays when everyone lands at once
JFK
Writing T7 off — Frontier, Aer Lingus, ANA, Air Canada, and Norse still use itAssuming Terminal 6 is open (first gates still a 2026 construction target)Virgin Clubhouse Priority Pass is 05:00–13:30 onlyLufthansa Priority Pass is Tuesday/Wednesday evenings only until further noticeTaxi is $70 plus listed surcharges, not $70 all-in
Amenities and tips
LGA
American Express Centurion LoungeDelta Sky Club (Terminal C)Terminal B & C dining hallsEscape LoungeCLEAR + TSA PreCheckTerminal A grab-and-go
Pad hard for the Grand Central Parkway
Leave Manhattan 2+ hours before domestic departure in rush hours; the airport is near, the traffic is not.
Confirm A vs B vs C before you drop off
Terminals are separate buildings with no sterile airside walk; wrong curb = full exit and re-screen.
Eat in B or C; treat A as grab-and-go
Terminal B and the new Terminal C have real restaurants; Terminal A options are thin once you're past security.
JFK
Wi-FiLoungesFoodTransportFamilyAccessibility
Arrive 3 hours early for international
Security waits average 20–30 minutes but spike in T4/T5 afternoons.
Use AirTrain — do not walk between terminals
AirTrain runs 24/7 between terminals with no fare inside the airport.
T4 has the widest landside and airside spread
Landside options in T4 and T5 beat airside crowds for a quick meal.
LGA · Rebuilt Terminals B and C finally feel modern inside, but LGA still punishes travelers with curb chaos, no AirTrain, separate non-connected terminals, and Manhattan traffic that turns a short hop into a 90-minute ordeal.
JFK · New York’s primary international gateway is still a five-terminal airport: 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8. Official 2025 traffic is 62,629,455. Terminal 7 remains open; Terminal 6 has not opened. Live Priority Pass is mostly T1 plus a morning Virgin window and an Air India T4 room — Chase Sapphire and Capital One are not PP.
