Airports Serving Long Island
Long Island is served by three primary passenger airports and several smaller local aviation facilities. John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Long Island MacArthur Airport handle most scheduled airline passengers. Other airports, including Republic Airport, Brookhaven Calabro Airport, Francis S. Gabreski Airport, East Hampton Town Airport, and Montauk Airport, primarily support general aviation, charter flights, corporate aircraft, flight training, emergency services, and private aviation.
Although JFK and LaGuardia are located in Queens, both are geographically on Long Island and serve as major gateways for residents of Nassau County and Suffolk County. MacArthur Airport, located in Ronkonkoma, is the principal scheduled passenger airport within Suffolk County.
In Short
Choose JFK for the widest selection of international and long-distance flights, LaGuardia for many domestic and short-haul routes, and MacArthur when convenience and avoiding New York City traffic are the priority. Republic Airport, Brookhaven Calabro Airport, Gabreski Airport, East Hampton Town Airport, and Montauk Airport generally do not provide conventional scheduled passenger service. They are most useful for private pilots, charter customers, corporate aviation, flight schools, aircraft services, and specialized operations.
Long Island Airports Map
The map below shows the major commercial airports used by Long Island travelers along with several of the Island’s principal local and general aviation airports. Select a marker for the airport’s address, contact information, official website, and driving directions.
Primary Passenger Airports
The three airports most travelers compare are JFK, LaGuardia, and MacArthur. The best choice usually depends on the destination, available fare, airline schedule, ground transportation, and the traveler’s location on Long Island.
John F. Kennedy International Airport
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is located in Jamaica, Queens, near the western end of Long Island. It is the region’s principal international gateway and generally offers the largest selection of airlines, overseas destinations, transcontinental routes, and connecting flights.
JFK is usually the best option for international travel, long-distance domestic flights, and travelers who need a particular airline or nonstop route. Its size and broad flight selection are major advantages, but passengers should allow additional time for highway congestion, terminal access, security, parking, and construction-related delays.
Passengers using public transportation can take the Long Island Rail Road to Jamaica Station and transfer to AirTrain JFK. Taxis, rideshare services, private car services, shuttles, and airport parking are also available.
LaGuardia Airport
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is located in northern Queens. It primarily serves domestic routes along with certain flights to Canada and other destinations where applicable. LaGuardia is often convenient for travelers from western Nassau County, Queens, and New York City.
LaGuardia is a strong choice for business travel and flights to major U.S. cities. Its modernized terminals provide a substantially improved passenger experience, although the airport does not have a direct rail station. Public transportation generally involves a bus connection to the subway or Long Island Rail Road.
The free Q70 LaGuardia Link bus connects the airport with subway and LIRR service at Woodside and Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue. Travelers can also use taxis, rideshare services, private vehicles, shuttles, and airport parking.
Long Island MacArthur Airport
Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) is located in Ronkonkoma in Suffolk County. It is considerably smaller than JFK and LaGuardia and is valued for convenient parking, shorter walking distances, easier terminal navigation, and access without driving into New York City.
MacArthur is served by a changing group of domestic airlines and offers nonstop service to a selection of U.S. destinations, with connecting travel available beyond those cities. Current airlines include Avelo Airlines, Breeze Airways, Cape Air, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and Southwest Airlines. Routes and schedules can change seasonally, so travelers should confirm availability directly with the airport or airline before planning a trip.
MacArthur is often the most convenient choice for residents of central and eastern Suffolk County when a suitable route is available. The nearby Ronkonkoma LIRR Station provides rail access, with local transportation needed between the station and terminal. Airport parking, rental cars, taxis, and rideshare services are also available.
Smaller and General Aviation Airports
Long Island also has several airports that primarily serve aircraft owners, charter operators, corporate aviation, flight schools, emergency services, military or government operations, and other specialized aviation activity. These facilities are included on the airport map because they are important parts of Long Island’s transportation and aviation network, even though most do not offer ordinary scheduled airline service.
Republic Airport
Republic Airport (FRG) is located in East Farmingdale near the Nassau-Suffolk border. It is one of Long Island’s busiest general and business aviation facilities and supports corporate aircraft, private flights, charter operations, aircraft maintenance, flight training, and aviation businesses.
Republic Airport does not function like a conventional commercial airline terminal. Travelers generally use it through private aircraft operators, charter companies, flight schools, or fixed-base operators rather than purchasing regularly scheduled airline tickets.
Brookhaven Calabro Airport
Brookhaven Calabro Airport (HWV) is a municipal general aviation airport located in Shirley and operated by the Town of Brookhaven. The airport supports private aircraft, flight training, business aviation, maintenance services, and other local aviation activity.
Brookhaven Calabro is not a scheduled passenger airport. It is primarily relevant to pilots, aircraft owners, aviation businesses, students, and charter or specialized flight operators.
Francis S. Gabreski Airport
Francis S. Gabreski Airport (FOK) is located in Westhampton Beach and operated by Suffolk County. It is a general aviation airport that accommodates private aircraft, corporate aviation, charter flights, aviation businesses, emergency services, and military activity associated with the adjacent Air National Guard base.
Gabreski Airport has substantial runway capacity but does not operate as a conventional scheduled passenger airport. Most travelers using the facility arrive through charter, corporate, government, military, or private aviation arrangements.
East Hampton Town Airport
East Hampton Town Airport is located in Wainscott and serves the South Fork. The airport is used by private aircraft, charter operators, helicopters, business aviation, and seasonal travelers visiting the Hamptons.
The airport’s identifier and operating status have been affected by legal and regulatory proceedings. Travelers and pilots should consult the Town of East Hampton and current FAA flight-planning information rather than relying solely on older references to HTO or JPX.
Montauk Airport
Montauk Airport (MTP) is a privately owned airport located near the eastern end of Long Island. It primarily serves private aircraft, charter flights, seasonal visitors, and general aviation traffic traveling to and from Montauk.
Montauk Airport does not offer the type of regularly scheduled passenger service found at JFK, LaGuardia, or MacArthur. Pilots and charter passengers should check current operating hours, arrival procedures, parking availability, and fees before traveling.
Which Long Island Airport Should You Choose?
For most airline passengers, the decision comes down to JFK, LaGuardia, or MacArthur. JFK generally provides the broadest international and long-distance network. LaGuardia is often practical for domestic travel, especially from western Long Island. MacArthur is usually the easiest airport to navigate for Suffolk County residents when the desired destination is available.
Travelers using private, charter, or corporate aircraft may instead consider Republic Airport, Brookhaven Calabro Airport, Gabreski Airport, East Hampton Town Airport, or Montauk Airport. The appropriate facility depends on aircraft requirements, destination, operator availability, airport rules, landing permissions, operating hours, and ground transportation.
Best Airport for International Travel
JFK is generally the best airport for international travel because it offers the widest selection of international airlines, nonstop destinations, and connecting options. LaGuardia handles a much smaller selection of international flights, while MacArthur primarily serves domestic destinations.
Best Airport for Nassau County Residents
JFK and LaGuardia are often the most practical airports for Nassau County residents. JFK may be easier from southern and central Nassau, while LaGuardia may be more convenient from northern and western communities. Actual travel time can vary considerably with traffic, construction, time of day, and weather.
Best Airport for Suffolk County Residents
MacArthur is generally the most convenient scheduled passenger airport for central Suffolk County. Residents of eastern Suffolk may still choose JFK or LaGuardia when MacArthur does not offer the required destination, schedule, or fare. Private and charter travelers may also use Gabreski Airport, East Hampton Town Airport, or Montauk Airport depending on their destination and aircraft operator.
Best Airport for Low-Stress Travel
MacArthur usually offers the least complicated experience among the three scheduled passenger airports because it has a smaller terminal, nearby parking, shorter walking distances, and less roadway congestion. The tradeoff is a more limited selection of nonstop routes and departure times.
Transportation to Long Island Airports
JFK: Take the Long Island Rail Road to Jamaica Station and transfer to AirTrain JFK. Driving, airport parking, taxis, rideshare services, private car services, and shuttles are also available.
LaGuardia: Public transportation generally requires a bus connection from an LIRR or subway station. The Q70 LaGuardia Link connects the airport with Woodside and Jackson Heights. Travelers may also drive, park, use a taxi, arrange a car service, or use rideshare transportation.
MacArthur: The airport is close to Ronkonkoma Station on the Long Island Rail Road, although travelers should verify the current ground connection between the station and terminal. Parking, rental cars, taxis, local car services, and rideshare transportation are available.
Smaller airports: Most general aviation airports are primarily reached by private vehicle, taxi, rideshare service, rental car, or transportation arranged through a charter company or fixed-base operator. Public transportation may be limited or unavailable directly at the terminal.
Key Facts & Details
| Airport | Location | Airport Type | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) | Jamaica, Queens | Major commercial airport | Domestic, international, and long-distance passenger flights |
| LaGuardia Airport (LGA) | Northern Queens | Major commercial airport | Domestic and short-haul passenger flights |
| Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) | Ronkonkoma | Regional commercial airport | Scheduled domestic passenger service |
| Republic Airport (FRG) | East Farmingdale | General and business aviation | Corporate aircraft, charter flights, flight training, and private aviation |
| Brookhaven Calabro Airport (HWV) | Shirley | Municipal general aviation airport | Private aviation, flight training, aircraft services, and local operations |
| Francis S. Gabreski Airport (FOK) | Westhampton Beach | County general aviation airport | Charter, corporate, private, government, emergency, and military-related operations |
| East Hampton Town Airport | Wainscott | Local aviation facility | Private aircraft, helicopters, charter flights, and seasonal Hamptons travel |
| Montauk Airport (MTP) | Montauk | Privately owned general aviation airport | Private aircraft, charter flights, and seasonal travel |
Airlines, routes, schedules, airport procedures, landing requirements, operating hours, and ground transportation can change. Passengers should verify current flight availability directly with their airline, while pilots and charter customers should consult the airport operator, fixed-base operator, charter provider, and current FAA information before traveling.
For most people traveling on a scheduled airline, JFK, LaGuardia, and MacArthur remain the primary choices. The smaller airports broaden Long Island’s aviation network by supporting private, corporate, charter, instructional, emergency, government, and recreational flying throughout Nassau County and Suffolk County.
