Medium Transport
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness; Time Pressure; Training / Qualification
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure
Prior to conducting the approach we briefed and planned on conducting the ILS 22 approach in LaGuardia. This is what was advertised on the ATIS and we planned for it. As we got vectored for the approach at approximately 4;000 feet and about 10-15 miles abeam the airport. ATC said that they are changing the approach to LDA A. Since we didn't plan on it; we asked if we can get vectors for a visual approach. We were given vectors to approximately 4-5 miles away from the runway at an approximate angle of 45 degree. We couldn't see the runway at that angle because it was dark. We advised ATC and got additional vectors for another visual approach. We were vectored on an angle again; but this time we had visual contact of the airport and landed.We debriefed and believe ATC was changing the approach for noise abatement. After the flight; me and the First Officer agreed that we worked well as a team using CRM skills. We were recently approved on the use of approaches with an 'A' and we will be ready to conduct this approach if necessary.
Air carrier Captain reported they could not establish a visual with the runway at LGA after receiving vectors to presumably comply with noise abatement.