This New York travel hub was just named the best small airport in America and you’ve probably never heard of it

New Yorkers have strong opinions about airports—but America’s best small airport might require adding a new three-letter code to your flight searches: ISP.

Long Island MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma took the No. 1 spot in USA Today’s 2026 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Small Airport, beating terminals across the country. The results put a Long Island alternative to the big-city airport shuffle firmly in the national spotlight. (An expert panel and editors chose the nominees and readers decided the final order.)

For MacArthur, which is owned and operated by the Town of Islip, the win follows a steady climb: The hub finished third in 2024 and second in 2025 before officially claiming this year’s crown. Its current airline roster includes Avelo, Breeze, Cape Air, Frontier, JetBlue and Southwest.

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So, what’s winning people over? The appeal starts with the decidedly unglamorous things that can make or break a travel day: parking close to the terminal, straightforward navigation and rental cars that don’t require a shuttle ride. A new Ground Transportation Center brings rental-car services, shuttles and ride-hailing pickups beside the main terminal, accessible via a covered walkway. USA Today’s write-up also highlights a new baggage claim area, art installations and local craft brews at Point/Blue Pub & Provisions. 

There is, naturally, a geography catch for city dwellers: MacArthur sits roughly 50 miles from Manhattan. You can take the LIRR to Ronkonkoma, with direct trains from Penn Station and Grand Central, but you’ll then need a taxi or ride-hailing service to reach the terminal. For travelers heading to Long Island, though, the location could be part of the attraction, putting Fire Island, wine country and the Hamptons on the itinerary without first navigating a Queens airport.

New York earned another spot on the list, too: Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport placed ninth.

Will ISP become your default airport? That depends on the flight—and where you're starting. But it has certainly earned a place in the search tabs.