Greater Ronkonkoma coverage is funded in part by The Core at Station Yards, now leasing brand-new apartment homes in the heart of Ronkonkoma.
After six years of climbing the USA Today 10Best rankings, Islip’s hometown airport finally takes the top spot
Finally, the world is learning what most of us here on Long Island have known for a long time.
Long Island MacArthur Airport is the best small airport in America.
The Islip Town-owned airport in Ronkonkoma took first place in the 2026 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Small Airport, town officials announced Wednesday.
It’s the payoff of a long, steady climb.
MacArthur finished sixth in 2020, its first year in the contest, then jumped to fourth in 2021. After the 2022 competition was not held, the airport placed fifth in 2023, third in 2024 and second in 2025, behind only Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
This year, it’s second to none.
“Reaching No. 1 in the nation is an incredible milestone for Long Island MacArthur Airport,” said Islip Airport Commissioner Rob Schneider. “Moving from sixth place to first over the course of this competition is a remarkable accomplishment, and we are grateful to everyone who voted and helped spread the word about MacArthur. This recognition motivates us to keep raising the bar.”
A panel of transportation experts and editors selects the nominees each year before the public votes on the final rankings. The small airport category is limited to airports serving fewer than 10 million passengers annually, meaning MacArthur regularly goes up against facilities that move far more travelers.
“This is an extraordinary moment for the Town of Islip and all of Long Island,” Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter said. “Long Island MacArthur 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.”
The anti-JFK
For decades, Long Islanders have treated MacArthur as the escape hatch from JFK and LaGuardia. Shorter security lines, easier parking, fewer delays and no Van Wyck are among the bevy of reasons.
Even 10Best caught on early. When MacArthur made its first appearance on the ballot, the contest’s own voting page pitched Islip as the peaceful alternative for travelers looking to avoid the crowded New York City airports.
The airport has given travelers more reasons to fly local in recent years.
JetBlue launched service at MacArthur in fall 2024 with flights to Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, then added Boston, Tampa and Fort Myers. Breeze Airways has steadily grown its Islip lineup, and Cape Air began daily nonstop flights to Boston.
MacArthur has also seen more than $100 million in upgrades since 2016, including runway and taxiway rehabilitation and a new ground transportation center. Further, Gov. Kathy Hochul has committed $150 million to connect the LIRR’s Ronkonkoma station to a proposed new North Terminal at the airport.
The airport supports roughly 6,000 jobs directly and indirectly, according to the town.
“This is a win for Islip, a win for Long Island, and a win for everyone who believes in the value of having a strong hometown airport,” Islip Councilman John Lorenzo said. “Earning the nation’s top spot puts Islip on the map in a powerful way.”
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine called the airport “a crown jewel in the airline industry” and congratulated Carpenter and the town for their leadership.
A community effort
Voting in the 10Best contest is open to the public, and MacArthur’s rise has leaned heavily on local support. Last year, Schneider credited Long Islanders’ creativity on social media and thanked groups, including the Long Island Ducks, the MacArthur Business Alliance, Discover Long Island and HIA-LI, for rallying votes.
Top: GLI file photo
Your Long Island news, delivered.
Subscribe to the GLI Newsletter — its free
