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Long Island MacArthur Airport Named Best Small Airport in America by USA Today
The Ronkonkoma airport, owned and operated by the Town of Islip, takes the No. 1 spot in USA Today’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards, offering Hamptons and Long Island travelers an alternative to JFK and LaGuardia.
Long Island MacArthur Airport has landed at No. 1 on USA Today’s list of the Best Small Airports in America for 2026, giving Long Island travelers another reason to consider flying closer to home rather than making the trek to Kennedy or LaGuardia airports.
The airport, located in Ronkonkoma and owned and operated by the Town of Islip, earned the top spot in USA Today’s annual 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, announced Wednesday, Oct. 14. An expert panel nominated 20 airports nationwide, with readers voting to determine the top 10.
For travelers heading to and from the Hamptons, the North Fork and communities throughout Suffolk County, MacArthur offers an alternative to New York City’s major airports, with convenient parking, rental cars and access to the nearby Long Island Rail Road’s Ronkonkoma station.
“This is an extraordinary moment for the Town of Islip,” Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter said in a statement. “[The] airport is one of our community’s most important assets, and seeing it recognized as the best small airport in America is a tremendous source of pride.”
From Sixth Place to No. 1
MacArthur has steadily climbed the USA Today rankings since 2020. The airport placed sixth that year, fourth in 2021, fifth in 2023 and third in 2024 before finishing second in 2025, behind Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford International Airport. No competition was held in 2022.
This year, MacAr
thur claimed the top spot, pushing the Michigan airport into second place.
The recognition comes amid an expansion of airline service at MacArthur in recent years. Breeze Airways began operating there in 2022, followed by JetBlue in 2024 and Avelo Airlines and Cape Air in 2025.
The airport’s airlines include Avelo, Breeze, Cape Air, Frontier, JetBlue and Southwest, offering travelers a range of domestic destinations.
“Moving from sixth place to first over the course of this competition is a remarkable accomplishment,” airport Commissioner Rob Schneider said in the town’s announcement. “This recognition motivates us to keep raising the bar.”
Why MacArthur Appeals to Long Island Travelers
In its description of the winning airport, USA Today highlighted MacArthur as an alternative for travelers looking to avoid New York City’s larger, more crowded airports.
The publication also pointed to the airport’s proximity to the Hamptons, Fire Island, Long Island wineries and other regional attractions.
Among the amenities cited were close-in parking, on-site car rentals, a modern ground transportation center, an updated baggage claim area and Point/Blue Pub & Provisions, which serves local craft beers.
MacArthur is also near the Ronkonkoma LIRR station, providing a rail connection to New York City.
For East End residents and visitors, the airport’s location can mean avoiding the additional drive west to JFK or LaGuardia, although flight availability and destinations remain important considerations.
Islip Councilman John Lorenzo, whose district includes the airport, called the recognition “a win for everyone who believes in the value of having a strong hometown airport.”
USA Today’s 10 Best Small Airports in America for 2026
- Long Island MacArthur Airport — Ronkonkoma, New York
- Gerald R. Ford International Airport — Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Northwest Arkansas National Airport — Bentonville, Arkansas
- Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport — Warwick, Rhode Island
- Huntsville International Airport — Huntsville, Alabama
- Fresno Yosemite International Airport — Fresno, California
- El Paso International Airport — El Paso, Texas
- Colorado Springs Airport — Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport — Rochester, New York
- Piedmont Triad International Airport — Greensboro, North Carolina
The full rankings and airport descriptions are available at https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/best-small-airport/.
Airport information: https://www.flymacarthur.com/
