Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

Biden Compares LaGuardia Airport To A Third World Country


By

Rebecca Fishbein

Published Feb 6, 2014

Modified Feb 6, 2014


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

Getty Images


By

Rebecca Fishbein

Published Feb 6, 2014

Modified Feb 6, 2014


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Joe Biden likes a lot of things—Amtrak, sandwiches, the double thumbs up and traditional Jewish dances, to name a few. But the Vice President is not a fan of LaGuardia Airport for some reason, likening it to something you'd find in "some third-world country." You won't find an Auntie Anne's at Shah Amanat International, but no matter.

Biden, no stranger to the extemporaneous comment, made the anti-LaGuardia allegations at an event in Philadelphia today, while giving a speech on the importance of infrastructure (and his beloved Amtrak). He compared the Queens airport to the markedly more sophisticated Hong Kong International Airport, which boasts a bustling shopping and entertainment center, exhibitions and other amenities that make Cibo News and Gifts pale by comparison.

"If I blindfolded someone and took them at 2:00 in the morning into the airport in Hong Kong and said ‘where do you think you are,’ they’d say, ‘this must be America, it’s a modern airport,’" he said. "But if I blindfolded you and took you to LaGuardia Airport in New York, you must think, ‘I must be in some third world country.’ I’m not joking." So true!

Interestingly, Biden's lack of appreciation for LaGuardia's subtle beauty has been echoed by another oddly-coiffed individual; back in 2011, Donald Trump noted, "You land your plane at LaGuardia Airport, you go to LaGuardia Airport, it's like a Third World airport." Perhaps throwing shade at Flushing's finest is key to winning over Blue State voters.

Tagged

joe biden

laguardia

queens


Rebecca Fishbein

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

Mamdani names re-entry specialist as chair of Rikers oversight board

Christopher Watler will help the department that a federal monitor says remains in crisis.

By

Ryan Kost

Published Oct 6, 2026 at 3:52 p.m. ET


NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought

The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.

By

Rosemary Misdary

News

NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought

The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.

By

Rosemary Misdary


Legionella found in Staten Island building's water system after 2 positive cases

By

Catalina Gonella

Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions

By

Jon Campbell

Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer

By

Ben Feuerherd


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .