Home
tech
The 100-year evolution of the New York City airport Trump called 'third world'

The 100-year evolution of the New York City airport Trump called 'third world'

The Gala Amusement Park opened on the land that now holds LaGuardia in the late 1890s.

The 100-year evolution of the New York City airport Trump called 'third world'

The park was owned by the Steinway family, who also launched a piano company in 1853 that's still in operation today.

The park was owned by the Steinway family, who also launched a piano company in 1853 that

In 1929, the park became a private airfield. It was called the Glenn H. Curtis Airport, named after the famed aviation pioneer from Long Island.

In 1929, the park became a private airfield. It was called the Glenn H. Curtis Airport, named after the famed aviation pioneer from Long Island.

Source: 6sqft

Six years later, it became a commercial airport called North Beach Airport. It had just three hangars (buildings for storing planes) and three runways, the largest of which measured 2,300 feet. For comparison, the average runway today is at least 8,000 feet.

Six years later, it became a commercial airport called North Beach Airport. It had just three hangars (buildings for storing planes) and three runways, the largest of which measured 2,300 feet. For comparison, the average runway today is at least 8,000 feet.

Since the site borders the water, seaplanes also landed there.

Since the site borders the water, seaplanes also landed there.

It even had a small flight school.

It even had a small flight school.

Besides another small airport in Brooklyn, North Beach Airport was the only airport in New York City. (Another in Newark, New Jersey was much larger.) In the late 1930s, Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia called for a larger airport to serve the city.

Besides another small airport in Brooklyn, North Beach Airport was the only airport in New York City. (Another in Newark, New Jersey was much larger.) In the late 1930s, Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia called for a larger airport to serve the city.

After a $23 million redevelopment, the city transformed North Beach into the New York Municipal Airport-LaGuardia Field in 1939.

After a $23 million redevelopment, the city transformed North Beach into the New York Municipal Airport-LaGuardia Field in 1939.

The airport opened with four runways, ranging from 4,500 to 6,000 feet long. The nation's five largest airlines at the time — Pan American Airways, American, United, Eastern Air Lines, and Transcontinental and Western Air — began offering flights from the new airport.

The airport opened with four runways, ranging from 4,500 to 6,000 feet long. The nation

Visitors could pay a dime to go up to the airport's observation tower, or enjoy a meal at its restaurant while they waited for flights.

Visitors could pay a dime to go up to the airport

"New York Municipal Airport-LaGuardia Field" was a mouthful, so the city changed the name to LaGuardia Airport in 1947.

"New York Municipal Airport-LaGuardia Field" was a mouthful, so the city changed the name to LaGuardia Airport in 1947.

Although LaGuardia was considered a large airport when it was built, it soon proved too small for the city growing around it. Many international flights were moved to JFK Airport in the 1960s.

Although LaGuardia was considered a large airport when it was built, it soon proved too small for the city growing around it. Many international flights were moved to JFK Airport in the 1960s.

Today, LaGuardia is one of the busiest airports in New York. In 2015, it served 31.4 million passengers.

Today, LaGuardia is one of the busiest airports in New York. In 2015, it served 31.4 million passengers.

Source: The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Over the years, the airport's outdated facilities have struggled to handle NYC's increasing demand for flights. LaGuardia's short taxiways have made it one of the the most delay-plagued airports in the country.

Over the years, the airport

Source: The New York Times

The new plan for LaGuardia's redevelopment will contain 35 gates, a new central hall for arrivals and departures, more taxi space for planes, and improved public transit access.

The new plan for LaGuardia

The first piece of the revamped airport is expected to open by 2019, with the rest opening 18 months later. If the revamped LaGuardia turns out like the renderings, it will have come a long way.

The first piece of the revamped airport is expected to open by 2019, with the rest opening 18 months later. If the revamped LaGuardia turns out like the renderings, it will have come a long way.

Maybe then Trump won't feel ashamed to land there.

Maybe then Trump won

View Other Slidelists

Advertisement