Constructed closer to Manhattan than the commercially unsuccessful Floyd Bennett Field, LaGuardia Airport was conceived in the mid-1930s as New York City mayor Fiorello LaGuardia realized the need for a great airport for one of the world's great cities. Originally known as New York Municipal Airport, the popular airport soon had its name changed to recognize LaGuardia's enormous contribution to the project. At the time of its opening in 1939, it was the largest and most advanced commercial airport in the world with terminals considered art deco masterpieces. Although a very large airport for the era in which it was built, by the late 1940s it was the world's busiest airport and clearly too small for the increasing amount of air traffic. Through the years its runways were lengthened and facilities were improved to handle larger and faster aircraft. Still one of America's busiest airports, LaGuardia has witnessed the steady progress of American commercial aviation, from flying boats to jetliners.

Airports used to be places we just passed through on our way to somewhere else. But with an increase in layovers and ever-mounting delays, "dwell-time" in airports has become an inevitable, tedious, and often infuriating part of travel today. This essential guidebook won't get you where you want to go faster, but it does provide great suggestions for eating well, taking care of business, and having fun while you wait.In clear, cleverly written profiles of each airport, Harriet Baskas, Expedia.com's airport expert, spells out: the best places to eat and what local specialties to try; diversions for kids (playgrounds, observation decks, and museums); quick trips to make by cab (including times to the nearest city); locations of business centers and data ports; shops with interesting, reasonably priced items; well-stocked bookstores; art and history exhibits; clean places to shower and quiet corners for taking a nap. In some airports, she reveals, you can even get a dentist to look at that troublesome tooth, a shoemaker to fix a wobbly heel, and a masseuse to case travel-induced kinks -- and crankiness.Organized alphabetically for easy reference. Stuck at the Airport is the indispensable travel companion for business and leisure travelers alike.