Atlanta to New York LaGuardia Flights (ATL to LGA)

Atlanta to New York LaGuardia is a short, frequent nonstop: about 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes in the air, with no time change because both cities are on Eastern time. As of recent schedules, Delta flies ATL to LGA many times a day from its Atlanta hub, and Southwest also flies the route nonstop several times on weekdays. Some schedule listings also show American and Frontier on the route, so check each carrier's own timetable for your dates.

Who flies Atlanta to LaGuardia nonstop

• Delta has the most departures by far, spread from early morning to late evening, because Atlanta is its largest hub and LaGuardia is one of its New York bases. Delta flights at both ends sit in Delta's own terminal areas, which keeps things simple.
• Southwest flies the route nonstop several times a day on weekdays, with fewer flights on weekends, according to its own route page.

Because Delta runs so many flights, a cancelled departure can often be rebooked onto the next one the same day. That is worth thinking about if you have a fixed meeting or event in New York. Our guide to nonstop vs connecting flights explains why a frequent nonstop is the safer choice.

Other New York airports

LaGuardia is usually the closest airport to Midtown, but it is not the only option from Atlanta:

• New York JFK works better for Brooklyn, eastern Queens, Long Island, or a same-day international connection. Delta has a large operation there. See flights from JFK.
• Newark (EWR) is often quicker for New Jersey, Lower Manhattan via the PATH train, or the West Side, and it has a rail link to Penn Station. See flights from Newark.

Compare where you are staying before you pick: a flight to the "wrong" New York airport can add an hour on the ground.

Leaving from Atlanta

Hartsfield-Jackson has one Domestic Terminal with two check-in sides, North and South. Delta checks in on the South side, and Southwest on the North side. After security, the Plane Train runs underground to Concourses T and A through F. Security lines can be long at peak times, so leave extra time even though this is a domestic trip. Our Atlanta airport guide covers parking, MARTA and the Plane Train.

Arriving at LaGuardia

Delta flights use Terminal C. Southwest uses Terminal B, along with American, United, JetBlue, Frontier and Air Canada. Terminal A no longer handles airline passengers. Terminals B and C are separate buildings, linked by a shuttle bus, so check your terminal before you arrange a pickup.

ID at security: REAL ID

This is a domestic flight, so there is no passport control or customs at either end. You do need an acceptable ID at TSA. REAL ID enforcement began on May 7, 2025: a standard driver's license without the REAL ID star is no longer enough on its own. A REAL ID-compliant license, a US passport or passport card, or another ID on TSA's acceptable list all work. Travelers who arrive with no acceptable ID can go through TSA ConfirmID, an identity check that carries a fee and takes extra time; check the current fee on tsa.gov. Our REAL ID guide lists what to bring.

Basic economy and carry-on rules

The cheapest fare on each airline is not the same product, and the difference is mostly about bags and seats:

• United Basic Economy on most domestic routes includes only a personal item that fits under the seat, not a full-size carry-on. A roller bag brought to the gate is checked and charged, so pick a standard economy fare if you travel with one.
• American and Delta basic economy fares include a full-size carry-on and a personal item, but seat choice, changes and boarding order are restricted.
• Southwest now sells tiered fares and, since January 27, 2026, assigns seats instead of open seating. Every fare still includes a carry-on, but checked bags are no longer free on most fares.

Checked bags cost extra on basic and standard economy on most US domestic fares unless you hold airline status or a co-branded credit card. Our explainers on basic economy, airline baggage rules and the TSA liquids rule cover the details.

Getting from LaGuardia into the city

• Q70 LaGuardia Link bus to the Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue subway hub or the Woodside Long Island Rail Road station, then on to Manhattan.
• M60 Select Bus Service along 125th Street, useful for Harlem and the Upper West Side.
• Taxis and rideshare from the marked pickup areas at each terminal, usually 30 to 60 minutes to Midtown depending on traffic.

There is no train directly to LaGuardia, so evening rush hour adds time whichever option you choose.

Best time to fly Atlanta to New York

Spring (April to early June) and fall (September to early November) are the most comfortable months in New York. December is popular for holiday visits and shows, and the weeks around Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year are the busiest on the route. January and February are usually quieter, but winter storms in the Northeast can delay or cancel flights into LaGuardia.

By day of week, Monday mornings and Thursday and Friday evenings fill first with business travelers. Midday flights on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday tend to be the least crowded. Summer afternoon thunderstorms cause frequent ground delays in both Atlanta and New York, so a morning departure is the safest choice for a tight schedule. If your flight is disrupted, our guide on delayed or cancelled flights explains what the airline owes you.

Flying home: LaGuardia to Atlanta

The southbound flight takes about 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes. Allow plenty of time to reach LaGuardia on a weekday evening, and at least 90 minutes at the airport on busy days. If you are connecting in Atlanta to another Delta flight, a separate ticket gives you no protection if the first flight is late; see our layover guide.

Tips for this route

• Book a Delta flight if you want the most backups on the same day; book Southwest if you value a carry-on on every fare.
• Check the arrival terminal at LGA before booking a car service; B and C have separate pickup areas.
• Use the live fare grid on this page to compare times and days. With many daily departures, moving a few hours can change the price.