Construction for the renovations began in 2016, and for the moment, it made the airport look like even more of an eyesore.
The pick-up and drop-off areas were narrow, and anyone who wanted to take an Uber or Lyft home from the airport had to take a shuttle to a designated pickup area.
The ticketing area wasn't a complete mess, but the lighting wasn't great and the ceilings were low.
And the unused check-in counters were depressing.
No one was at the help desk near one of Terminal B's food courts.
But the Terminal B food courts themselves weren't bad. They were more spacious and better lit than much of the airport.
They had a solid variety of quick options like Five Guys and Einstein Bros Bagels...
...as well as a sit-down restaurant.
There was also an option to give the airport feedback on your dining experience.
The terminal had some interesting shopping options meant to appeal to stylish travelers.
Though I've never understood why high-end clothing brands open stores in airports.
Things were worse as I got closer to the boarding areas. The entrance to the security checkpoint was built on a downward slope, which isn't ideal for travelers with rolling luggage.
Once I got past security, the terminal reached a low point. The hallway was narrow, the ceilings were low, and the food options were mediocre.
I flew out in the early evening on Christmas Eve, which isn't a peak travel time...
...but the terminal was still so cramped that people had to sit on the floor.
I counted at least five trash cans positioned to catch water dripping from the ceiling.
One was misplaced, which resulted in a small puddle forming next to it.
The floors could have used some serious cleaning.
More frequent garbage collections wouldn't have hurt either.
And signs of decay and neglect were pretty common.
The airlines didn't have many options to accommodate travelers near the boarding areas, as demonstrated by American Airlines' "Admirals Club."
The food options were also limited.
There weren't any sit-down restaurants past security.
And, like any airport, the food was way too expensive.
Once I arrived in Chicago, I remembered that most airports in major cities are in much better shape.
In addition to expanded seating areas and hallways...
...they have clean floors...
...much higher ceilings...
...and decent food options.
If the renderings of the renovations at LaGuardia were any indication, those features may finally come to New York in the coming years.
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