People often ask which New York airport is "better." There isn't a single answer, because they're good at different things. Here's how we'd think about it.
LaGuardia (LGA)
LaGuardia is the closer of the two to Manhattan, which is its biggest selling point. It's mostly a domestic airport. A rule about flight distance limits how far most nonstop flights can go, so if you're flying across the country, you may find fewer nonstop options here than at JFK. Some trips connect somewhere else instead.
The terminals have been rebuilt in recent years, and it's a much nicer airport than it used to be. If your trip is a shorter domestic hop and you're staying in the city, it's often the easier choice.
JFK
JFK is bigger and farther out. It handles most of the international flying, and it has a lot of long-distance domestic routes too. If you're going overseas, or you want the widest choice of nonstop flights, JFK is usually where you'll end up.
Getting there takes longer, and traffic can make it a lot longer. The AirTrain links the terminals to the subway and to the commuter rail, which helps if you're not driving.
Don't forget Newark
Newark (EWR) is in New Jersey, but for plenty of people in and around the city it's just as convenient. Depending on where you live and where you're flying, it can have better schedules or lower fares. We include it when you ask us to check New York.
How to choose
Look at three things: where you're starting from, where you're going, and how much time you're willing to spend getting to the airport. A fare that's $40 cheaper isn't much of a saving if it adds an hour and a half of travel on both ends.
Delta uses different terminals at each airport, and terminals can change, so check your booking details before you leave home. If you'd like us to price all three side by side, send a fare-check request or read about Delta flights from New York.