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LaGuardia Airport has given New Yorkers plenty of reasons to complain over the years.
Now, here’s a reason to arrive early: Skytrax named its Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club the world’s best independent airport lounge in its 2026 World Airline Awards. Apparently, the best part of your next flight could happen before boarding.
The Terminal B retreat topped a global ranking based on traveler votes, beating lounges in Rome, Hong Kong and London. The “independent” distinction matters—this category covers lounges outside the traditional airline-operated club model—but it's still a pretty good excuse for some hometown bragging.
Spread across two floors and more than 20,000 square feet, the lounge is loaded with greenery, gold finishes and a circular bar, plus separate areas for working, eating and doing absolutely nothing. There’s also a children’s playroom, a photobooth and a retro arcade. Private phone booths offer somewhere to take a call, but the relaxation spaces and facial treatment rooms may tempt you to leave the laptop zipped up.
The food and drink bring some New York personality, too. Fort Greene restaurant Sailor is a menu partner, Joe Coffee supplies the caffeine, Apotheke handles craft cocktails and Parcelle curates the wines. (Food and drinks are complimentary once you're inside.)
New York had a strong showing beyond the winner: JFK’s Capital One Lounge placed fifth and its American Express Centurion Lounge sixth, while LaGuardia’s Centurion Lounge finished 11th.
Before you start planning your facial around your departure, check your access: Chase offers complimentary entry to Sapphire Reserve, J.P. Morgan Reserve, and Ritz-Carlton cardmembers, with up to two guests. You’ll need a valid departing boarding pass, and entry generally begins three hours before your flight. The entrance is after security on Level 4 of Terminal B and the lounge is open from 4:30am to 9:30pm daily.