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Long Island MacArthur Airport tapped as third best small airport in U.S.

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Long Island MacArthur Airport jumped two spots to third place in USA Today’s 2024 ranking of America’s best small airports.

Twenty airports were nominated in the Best Small Airport Category of the publication’s annual 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Myrtle Beach International Airport is No. 1 and Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is No. 2

“This type of award captures the attention of air travelers across the U.S. and raises Long Island’s profile with potential passengers and visitors to our region. Air carriers also take notice of these top airports as they carefully evaluate new routes to serve,” MacArthur Airport Commissioner Shelley LaRose-Arken said.

Following MacArthur Airport’s nomination by an independent panel of travel experts and editors, public voting for the awards kicked off on Aug. 26. Voting took place for 28 days, as nominated airports competed for the nationwide honor.

USA Today 10Best officially revealed the top 10 this week, with MacArthur Airport placing in the top 10 for a fourth consecutive year. This year’s placement is the highest ranking yet for the Islip airport.

“Our loyal airport customers and the community really showed their enthusiastic support this year with consistent voting across Long Island,” Town of Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter said. “The award validates our hard work each day to provide an excellent customer experience at Islip’s MacArthur Airport.”

Friendlier and easier

USA Today 10Best describes the 20 nominated airports as friendlier and easier to use. According to the 10Best Website, these airports “serve smaller numbers of passengers each year, yet excel with their commercial flight offerings, easy access, and amenities.”

MacArthur Airport is a key component of Long Island’s economy, employing 6,000 people directly and indirectly. Islip estimates that the airport generates an economic impact of $600 million to the region.

“This year’s 10Best top ranking – especially competing against airports that are larger than us – is a win for our entire region. MacArthur Airport is an economic engine for the region and the progress and recognition we are seeing at ISP points to a strong future for Long Island,” Carpenter said.

MacArthur Airport is served by Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue and Southwest Airlines.

Breeze today officially launched service to Fort Myers, Florida.

Best Small Airport: Top ten

  1. Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR)
  2. Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR)
  3. Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP)
  4. Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD)
  5. Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport (BTV)
  6. Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT)
  7. Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC)
  8. Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT)
  9. Huntsville International Airport (HSV)
  10. Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO)

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