One Of America's Best Small Airports Is On A Popular Bustling Island With Great Amenities And Charm

When you travel to New York, it's important to book the best airport for your destination — typically, the decision comes down to choosing between JFK or LaGuardia. However, there's a lesser-known hub that savvy travelers rave about: Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP). With a 4.3-star rating on Google, it sits about 55 miles east of Times Square on an island along the Atlantic, giving you a completely different experience from the concrete jungle. 

USA Today named it one of the best small airports in America for its peace and quiet in contrast to the overcrowded New York City. While you might have to drive a couple of hours to reach attractions like the Empire State Building, America's "happiest" tourist attraction, ISP is centrally located between the city and the scenic Montauk Point, which features postcard views of the village's iconic lighthouse at the island's tip.

With recently upgraded amenities, affordable parking, and easy connections to major carriers, Long Island MacArthur continues to prove that it has a lot to offer and makes flying quite enjoyable, even if it's not an internationally known travel hub.

In addition to being a great transit center, ISP provides easy access to New York's island beach paradise and the city's bustling skyscrapers. It serves more than 1.2 million passengers annually, with over 10 commercial routes connecting popular East Coast cities, so they must keep the interior as modernized as possible.

With filtered water dispensers, free Wi-Fi, and a mouthwatering food court with American favorites like Dunkin' Donuts, ISP ensures a comfortable experience while waiting for your flight. In 2022, the staff opened a Ground Transportation Center, making it easy for passengers to travel with rental cars, taxis, buses, auto transport, ride-hailing services, hotel courtesy shuttles, and the Suffolk Bus. In 2024, the airport also made it easier to access its website on your mobile phone for flight schedules, amenities, and news updates. Whether it's your first stop or your final farewell, ISP makes every part of the journey feel just a little bit more enjoyable.

Interested in more unique airports? Check out the most bizarre attractions you can find in airports across the world.