Flying Out Of This New York Airport Offers A Laid-Back Experience For Your Next Vacation

When you think of New York airports, you probably think of the Manhattan airport hubs of JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark. However, one airport located about 1.5 hours from the big city lights has a more local approach to aviation. While the hustle and bustle of NYC is attractive for many, Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) has the energy to match a smaller coastal town. The beachy airport sits smack dab in the middle of Long Island, equidistant from a busy New York City and a more laid-back Montauk. The airport has consistently landed itself in the top 10 of USA Today's Best Small Airport list since 2020, slowly climbing its way from sixth place in 2020 to second place in 2025.

Your trip to New York doesn't have to mean falling asleep to the sound of honking horns and late-night buskers. Landing in ISP puts you in proximity of 1000 miles of shoreline, countless state parks, and historic lighthouses to learn about and explore. Scattered along the eastern half of Long Island, you can try a local Long Island delicacy, The Original Goldberg's Famous Bagels. From the most talked-about coastal towns in the Hamptons to some of the most budget-friendly beach towns on the East Coast, Long Island has so much to offer its visitors.

In response to their top 10 USA Today ranking, Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter proudly proclaimed, "We work hard each day to offer customer excellence, new options and amenities at the airport. We take the headache and stress out of air travel." Their prioritization of stress-free travel and local appreciation is evident in its free Islip resident parking passes, as well as their low traffic driveway. While they don't carry the most popular airlines like American Airlines or United, ISP hosts some overlooked but high-quality U.S. airlines like Breeze Airways, Avelo Airlines, and Cape Air.

Several amenities are scattered through MacArthur's small but mighty terminals. All visitors have access tocomplimentary wifi, as well as pet relief areas and various gift shops. East End Getaway is the perfect place to grab any Long Island memorabiliaC to bring home and enjoy long after your trip concludes. Grab a small breakfast treat from Dunkin or Great American Bagel before your early morning flight, or grab a meal at Point Blue Pub and Provisions to settle your pre-flight nerves. However you decide to fly at ISP, you can rest assured you won't be in a rush.