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After running 26.2 miles, the walk down an airplane aisle probably deserves its own finish line. Delta Air Lines can’t shorten the race's final stretch, but it is giving NYC Marathon runners a head start on getting to their seats—with complimentary priority boarding after race day.
The airline is planning several perks at John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport around the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 1. There’s something for the cheer squad, too, including supplies to make the sign your favorite runner will desperately need in the race's final miles.
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First up: the arrivals' welcome. On Thursday, October 29, and Friday, October 30, runners and other travelers can stop by activations near baggage claim at both airports starting at noon each day for complimentary treats, while supplies last.
The same pre-race setup will include sign-making stations, where friends, relatives and fellow spectators can create something encouraging (or mildly embarrassing) to hold along the course. Delta will provide materials, saving visitors the trouble of packing poster board or hunting down markers after landing.
Then comes the reward for actually doing the running: on Sunday, November 1, and Monday, November 2, marathoners on Delta flights departing JFK and LaGuardia will receive “Marathoners’ Zone 1” priority boarding. Gate announcements will also recognize their accomplishment, giving finishers another moment of appreciation before they settle in for the flight home. For anyone whose quads are already dreading the journey home, an earlier chance to sit down should be a welcome relief.
This year’s marathon will take runners through all five boroughs, starting in Staten Island and finishing in Central Park. Whether you’re tackling the course yourself or tracking someone else’s progress, the airport offerings add a useful stop to the weekend itinerary.
Now, to come up with a sign that hasn’t already appeared in every marathon Instagram carousel.