Airports Serving Long Island
Long Island is served by several major airports that offer travelers a wide range of domestic and international flight options. While John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) are technically located in Queens, they are the primary gateways for most Long Island travelers flying long-distance or internationally. Meanwhile, Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) in Ronkonkoma provides a smaller, easier alternative with direct access to several popular U.S. cities.
Choosing which airport to fly from depends on where you live, where you’re going, and what kind of travel experience you prefer. This guide highlights the major pros, cons, and differences between JFK, LaGuardia, and MacArthur, helping you decide which airport is best for your trip.
Quick Overview: Airport Comparison
| Feature | JFK | LaGuardia (LGA) | MacArthur (ISP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Queens (border of LI) | Queens (NW of LI) | Ronkonkoma, Suffolk County |
| Distance from Nassau (Garden City) | ~14–20 miles | ~16–18 miles | ~30 miles |
| Distance from Suffolk (Hauppauge) | ~40–45 miles | ~42–50 miles | ~10–15 miles |
| Size & Traffic | Very large, busiest in NY | Busy, expanding domestic hub | Small, low traffic, easy |
| Flights | Domestic + International | Domestic (growing), Caribbean & Canada | Domestic only (Florida + select destinations) |
| Major Airlines | Delta, JetBlue, American, international carriers | Delta, American, JetBlue, Southwest, United | Southwest, Breeze, Frontier |
| Best For | International travel, long-haul flights | Domestic & short-haul U.S. flights | Stress-free travel, shorter TSA lines, local flyers |
| Ground Transportation | AirTrain + LIRR + subways + rideshare | Shuttle + Q70 SBS + LIRR + rideshare | Direct access via LIRR, park & fly + car rentals |
Long Island Airports Map
Airport Breakdown
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Location: Jamaica, Queens – ~15–20 minutes from western Nassau County
Best For: International flights, cross-country trips, airline choices
Pros:
- Major global gateway with flights to nearly every continent
- Multiple competing airlines → often better pricing on long-haul routes
- AirTrain connection to LIRR enables easy airport transit
- 24/7 operations, many red-eye options
Cons:
- Traffic congestion, especially during peak travel seasons
- Airport is large, terminals spread out
- Security and check-in times can be long
Ideal For:
Long Island travelers going internationally or long-distance domestically (LAX, SEA, LAS, etc.), or those who want lots of airline choices.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
Location: Northern Queens – closest to Manhattan and western Nassau
Best For: Domestic travel, business travelers, short-haul flights
Pros:
- Recently renovated — dramatically improved terminals
- Easier and often faster to navigate than JFK
- Great for flights to major U.S. cities (Chicago, Boston, Atlanta)
- Close to NYC & western Nassau
Cons:
- No direct long-haul international routes except sometimes Canada/Caribbean
- Limited public transit access (no direct subway/train connection yet)
- Smaller runway capacity → delays common historically (improving)
Ideal For:
Travelers wanting quick domestic flights, especially from Nassau County or western Suffolk.
Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP)
Location: Ronkonkoma, Suffolk County
Best For: Stress-free travel, low-cost carriers, vacation trips to Florida
Pros:
- Very short TSA lines and easy parking
- Located on Long Island – no city traffic at all
- Great for families or travelers who want convenience over flight choices
- Currently served by Southwest, Breeze, Frontier
Cons:
- No international flights
- Limited domestic schedule
- Often requires a connection to reach most U.S. regions
Ideal For:
Eastern & central Suffolk County residents, senior travelers, families, and anyone sick of JFK/LGA chaos. Perfect for trips to Florida, the Carolinas, Nashville, etc.
Which Airport Should You Choose?
| Traveler Type | Best Airport |
|---|---|
| International traveler | JFK |
| Cheapest fares / most airline options | JFK or LGA (depending on route) |
| Nassau County commuter | LGA (shorter travel time), JFK if going international |
| Suffolk County traveler | MacArthur – if destination available; otherwise JFK |
| Family travel / low stress | MacArthur |
| Business traveler | LGA or JFK depending on airline/lounges |
Transportation Overview
Getting to JFK & LGA from Long Island:
- LIRR → AirTrain JFK from Jamaica
- LIRR to Woodside or Grand Central → bus to LGA
- Ride-share, taxi, private shuttle, or car
Getting to MacArthur:
- LIRR Ronkonkoma Station → free shuttle
- Direct parking at airport
- Local car services and Uber/Lyft available
Key Facts & Details – Long Island Airports
| Airport | Full Name | Location | Primary Use | Flight Types | Best For | Typical Drive Time from Central Nassau | Typical Drive Time from Central Suffolk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JFK | John F. Kennedy International Airport | Queens (border of Long Island) | Major International Hub | Domestic + International | Long-haul & overseas travel, widest airline selection | ~25–40 minutes | ~55–75 minutes |
| LGA | LaGuardia Airport | Northern Queens | National/Regional Hub | Domestic + limited international (Caribbean/Canada) | Business travel, domestic flights, western Nassau commuters | ~25–35 minutes | ~60–80 minutes |
| ISP | Long Island MacArthur Airport | Ronkonkoma, Suffolk | Regional Airport on Long Island | Domestic only | Convenience, no crowds, Suffolk residents, Florida routes | ~30–40 minutes | ~10–20 minutes |
Simple Comparison Chart
| Feature | JFK | LGA | ISP |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Flights | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ❌ |
| Domestic Flights | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Convenience / Stress Level | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Best for Suffolk Residents | ⭐ | ⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Transit Options | AirTrain + LIRR | Shuttle + Q70 + LIRR | Direct LIRR station |
| Parking Cost | High | High | Low |
| TSA Wait Times | Long | Medium | Short |
| Airport Size | Very Large | Medium | Small |
Final Thoughts
Long Island is unique in that it has access to one major airport located on the Island itself (ISP) plus two world-class international airports within close range. Choosing the right airport depends on:
- Where you live
- Your destination
- Whether convenience or airfare savings matter more
- How much airport stress you’re willing to tolerate
Travelers in western Long Island often lean toward JFK or LaGuardia, while residents of central and eastern Suffolk frequently choose MacArthur whenever possible to skip city traffic.
Note About Smaller Airports on Long Island
This guide focuses on the three primary commercial airports serving Long Island travelers: JFK, LaGuardia, and MacArthur. Several smaller regional and private airports also operate on Long Island including Republic Airport (FRG) in Farmingdale, East Hampton Airport (HTO), Montauk Airport (MTP), Westhampton Beach / Gabreski Airport (FOK) and others – however, these facilities mainly serve charter flights, general aviation, corporate aircraft, and private aviation, and are not included in this comparison.
