September 8th, 2025 – Islip, NY – The results of voting in the USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Small Airport were revealed today. Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) finished 2nd out of 20 nominees for this prestigious and competitive award. The 2025 contest was the fifth nomination for ISP, and the 2nd place finish is ISP’s highest ranking to-date.

“Long Island MacArthur Airport continues to rise in the list of the best small airports. This year we secured the #2 spot, our best showing to date,” said Town of Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter. “The outpouring support for Long Island’s hometown airport and more air service is being recognized by travelers, and we are so grateful!” Carpenter said.

“We send our congratulations to Gerald Ford Airport. Long Island showed great determination and creativity on social media with customers near and far sharing stories and support,” said Aviation Commissioner Rob Schneider. “We also appreciate the support of so many local residents who voted each day and also to community groups like the Long Island Ducks, MacArthur Business Alliance, Discover Long Island, and HIA-LI who helped us get the word out,” he added.

“This best-ever effort energizes our community as we continue to work hard with air carriers to bring more destinations and travel options from Long Island MacArthur Airport,” Town of Islip Councilmember John Lorenzo said. “It also encourages us to continue reaching out to visitors in other areas to showcase Long Island and welcome tourism to our area,” he added.

The top 10 winners forBest Small Airportare ranked as follows:

1. Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR)
2. Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP)
3. Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD)
4. Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR)
5. Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO)
6. Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC)
7. Huntsville International Airport (HSV)
8. Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT)
9. Pensacola International Airport (PNS)
10. Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT)

ABOUT LONG ISLAND MACARTHUR AIRPORT: MacArthur Airport is on Long Island approximately 50 miles from New York City. It is the closest airport to 2.8 million Long Island residents, and to world-renowned attractions including the famous Hamptons, Wine Country, lighthouses, Fire Island, excellent theatre, award-winning restaurants, and Gatsby-era mansions. The Town of Islip owns and operates the airport, served by Avelo Airlines, Breeze Airways, Cape Air, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and Southwest Airlines.

Access to the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) makes getting around Nassau and Suffolk counties convenient. Train service from the Ronkonkoma / MacArthur Airport LIRR to New York City provides frequent transport. Long Island MacArthur Airport employs 6000 people directly and indirectly, with a $19M annual operating budget in 2025 and an economic impact of $600M to the region and local economy. In 2024, ISP was voted the #3 Best Small Airport in the country in USAToday's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, was named a "Haven" Airport by the Wall Street Journal, and earned the 2024 Tourism Trailblazer Award from Discover Long Island. In 2025, the Washington Post ranked MacArthur Airport as one of the 50 best airports in America.