I toured Delta's brand new $4 billion Terminal C at New York's LaGuardia Airport and now I can't wait to fly out of it as a passenger

Delta Air Lines

• Delta Air Lines is opening its brand new Terminal C to passengers on Saturday.
• Nine new gates will open, along with the biggest Delta Sky Club in the airline's system.

New York’s LaGuardia Airport can finally ditch its “LaGarbage” nickname.

Most of the cancelations have affected Delta flights and those entering or leaving LaGuardia airport in New York.      AP

On Saturday, Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines will officially open its brand new Terminal C at LaGuardia, which features a new departures hall, arrivals hall, gates, and security checkpoint.

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The $4 billion project is a mammoth investment in New York City, and Delta hopes to create a better customer experience and improve the airport's on-time performance.

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Ryan Marzullo, Delta's managing director of design and construction, told media at event on Wednesday that the opening of Terminal C is the project's "biggest milestone" because it marks the completion of 80% of the facility

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Insider went on a tour with Marzullo to see everything that Delta has built at LaGuardia since breaking ground in 2017. Take a look.

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We started in Delta's "crown jewel" of the project: the Headhouse, which is where travelers will check in to their flights.

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The room was spacious and modern, with beautiful marble walls…

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…several murals created by local artists…

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…and calming hues of red, blue, and purple on the ceiling.

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For check-in and bag drop, passengers can use one of the 49 self-service kiosks or visit a customer service agent.

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There are 36 ticket counters for regular Delta passengers and a Sky Priority check-in area for premium customers. Curbside check-in and bag drop are also available.

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Also featured is a 238-foot screen behind the ticket counters that displays things like flight information, TSA wait times, and Sky Club volume.

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Marzullo told media that the facility was built with New Yorkers in mind, meaning a main focus was speed and efficiency.

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One example of this can be seen outside the terminal where Delta has split the roadway to create more curb front and improve traffic flow.

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Marzullo also explained that the departures hall has been designed mostly as a transient space because LaGuardia is a main business hub for Delta and those passengers rarely check luggage.

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Because the hall will see fewer passengers, the company invested more money into designing the security checkpoint and gates. "We really try to focus all of our design efforts and our money on that customer experience in areas where you will dwell," he said.

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After touring the check-in area, media climbed one level to the security checkpoint.

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I was immediately blown away by the 34-panel digital art installation that displays different scenes, like waterfalls and mountains.

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Marzullo said the impressive technology changes whenever a Delta flight takes off, and the panels will show the destination that the plane is flying to.

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The space's art, floor-to-ceiling windows, and natural light are meant to calm passengers during the most stressful part of flying, according to Marzullo.

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Tall digital boards stand just before the checkpoint, displaying TSA wait times for general security, Sky Priority, people with disabilities, Clear, TSA PreCheck, and family assist.

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There is one central security checkpoint for all passengers, which has 11 lanes, though that can be expanded to 16 if needed.

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Media passed through security using Delta's innovative security lanes, which have automated bins that continuously circulate through the system, helping passengers clear the checkpoint faster.

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I was extremely impressed with the terminal, which, when complete, will feature 37 gates across four concourses. The new Terminal C will eventually consolidate Terminal D into one giant 1.3 million-square-foot facility.

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Gates 70-79 will open on June 4 and gates 90-98 opened in 2019. Meanwhile, gates 80-89 and 61-69 will be renovated by 2024, and are part of the last 20% of the project.

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After clearing security, passengers will either turn left to gates 61-79 or right to gates 80-98. Walking time can take anywhere from five to 12 minutes depending on the gate.

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Walking towards gates 61-79, we explored the food and seating areas around the terminal. Delta has partnered with airport hospitality company OTG to bring new sit-down restaurants to the space, like Bubby's Diner…

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…Chuko Ramen…

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…Essex Burger…

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…and Sunday Supper.

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According to Marzullo, there will be four Starbucks locations throughout the entire facility, but there will sadly be no Dunkin' Donuts. Sorry, New Englanders!

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Though, there will be plenty of other stores, like BuzzFeed News…

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…a Cibo Express with to-go snacks, electronics, and books…

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…and several quick service restaurants.

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Media were given tastings of some of the menu offerings at Bubby's and Sunday Supper, like a salad and mixed drinks.

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The food was delicious, and my favorite drink was the refreshing House Negroni, which will be on draft at Sunday Supper.

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The setup of the gates themselves seemed efficient and customer-focused. The waiting areas were spacious with plenty of seating…

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…and every seat has power.

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There were also plenty of large, modern bathrooms in every area of the facility.

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The entrances to the bathrooms in the concourses have large mosaic artwork that represents different parts of New York.

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When it comes to the airside part of the facility, Marzullo said the primary focus was the airfield. "LaGuardia is notoriously known for departure delays, arrival delays, and taxi delays, so we wanted to maximize the airfield circulation for aircraft," he explained.

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He further said they designed the gates to have more flexibility with the size of planes they can accommodate, which includes any narrowbody jet in the company's fleet.

Delta Air Lines

Another customer-focused feature in the terminal is the Delta sensory room. According to Marzullo, the space is intended to help passengers with special needs prepare to fly, particularly those with autism.

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The room has calm lighting and hanging chairs…

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…and even a mock cabin.

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The biggest reveal of the day was the new Sky Club lounge, which will welcome customers for the first time at 5:00 am on Saturday.

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The lounge, which is the largest in Delta's system at over 30,000 square feet, was designed to represent old New York.

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The lounge will increase to nearly 35,000 square feet by summer 2024 when phase two is complete, which will add a sprawling outdoor sky deck.

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Inside, shades of brown, tan, and beige color the space. And there is seating for nearly 600 guests.

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Customers can enjoy private rooms for working…

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…a bar…

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…food, which will be cooked by different chefs throughout the year…

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…and a drink station.

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After a flight, customers can make their way to baggage claim which is located on the first floor of the headhouse. There are five carousels, and, according to Delta, customers will get their luggage within 20 minutes of arrival.

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After the tour, media went back outside the security checkpoint where Delta CEO Ed Bastian, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey executive director Rick Cotton, and New York Governor Kathy Hochul spoke to the crowd.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian.      Taylor Rains/Insider

"Today marks a new beginning for Delta customers and employees at our LaGuardia hub with the opening of this remarkable new terminal," Bastian said.

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"It's been more than a decade since Delta committed to growing – and winning – in New York, and we've been unwavering in our efforts to become New York City's number one airline," he continued.

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Bastian emphasized the hard work of the people involved. The employees worked through the pandemic and will finish the project by 2024, which is two years ahead of schedule.

Touring Delta Air Lines' new terminal at LaGuardia Airport in 2021.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

After the speeches, executives from Delta, the Port Authority, and the state of New York, officially cut the ribbon.

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Overall, I was extremely impressed with the entire facility. Pairing Delta's new Terminal C with the updated Terminal B, I am happy that LaGuardia is finally going to be a place I'm excited to fly out of.

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