Long Island's MacArthur Airport: Non-stop flights, parking, car rentals and more
Passengers arrive at the main terminal at Long Island MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
You don’t have to leave Long Island to catch a flight. MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma is a smaller, no-frills alternative to Kennedy and LaGuardia — and for the right trip, it can be the more practical choice for Long Islanders.
Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) is a small, single-terminal airport in Ronkonkoma (100 Arrival Ave.; 631-467-3300, flymacarthur.com). Owned and operated by the Town of Islip, it sits about 60 miles east of Manhattan and 50 miles west of Montauk Point, making it a central option for Long Islanders.
Six airlines fly out of centrally located MacArthur Airport. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
Which airlines fly out of ISP?
There are six air carriers currently operating out of ISP:
Where can I fly nonstop?
You can currently fly to 16 destinations nonstop from MacArthur:
- Baltimore/Washington
- Boston
- Charleston, SC
- Charlotte/Concord, NC
- Fort Lauderdale
- Fort Myers, FL
- Myrtle Beach, SC
- Norfolk, VA
- Orlando, FL
- Palm Beach, FL
- Raleigh-Durham, NC
- Richmond, VA
- Sarasota, FL
- Tampa, FL
- Vero Beach, FL
- Wilmington, NC
Some routes are seasonal, so check the airline's website directly before booking. JetBlue operates daily nonstop flights to Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Palm Beach, plus seasonal service to Fort Myers and Sarasota.
How much does parking cost?
At MacArthur, parking is located just outside the terminal and rates are a fraction of what you'd pay at Kennedy or LaGuardia.
Short-term/hourly parking sits directly across from the terminal:
- $2 for the first half-hour
- $4 for each additional hour
- $29 per 24 hours maximum
Long-term parking is located just behind the short-term lot:
- $4.50 per hour
- $20 per day
Farthest away is the economy parking lot, available for both short- and long-term parking:
- Short term: $4.50 per hour, 4-hour maximum
- Long term: $18 per day
Can parking be reserved in advance?
No reservations are required because it's first-come, first-served. Note that there are no on-site electric vehicle charging stations in the parking lots.
Islip residents and local businesses can also apply for discounted parking permits online through the Town of Islip website or flymacarthur.com. They range in price from $40 for a yearlong pass to a $60 permit that’s valid for two years. Senior passes, for those 60 and older, are $30 and $50, respectively.
Can I take the train?
MacArthur is not directly connected to a train station, but it is located about 1.5 miles south of the Long Island Rail Road Ronkonkoma Station. Getting there from the station requires a brief 10-minute ride via Village Transportation taxi (90 Railroad Ave.; 631-588-1055), or Uber/Lyft.
You can also connect via the Patchogue or Central Islip stations using the Suffolk County Transit Route 6 bus (sctbus.org; 631-852-5200), which runs daily with stops at Patchogue, Central Islip and MacArthur. The ride from Central Islip to the airport takes about 20 minutes (about 23 minutes from Patchogue). Service runs about every 30 minutes on weekdays and hourly in the evenings and on weekends, with fares starting at $2.25.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced last year that the state will invest $150 million to build a new terminal that would link the airport directly to the Ronkonkoma station via an enclosed, climate-controlled pedestrian walkway, though the project development has not yet been confirmed by town officials.
What about rideshares and car rentals?
Rideshares and rental car desks are available in the Ground Transportation Center adjacent to the terminal. Car rental companies on-site include Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz and National, though expect smaller vehicle fleets than Kennedy or LaGuardia. Rideshare availability may also be limited during off-peak hours, such as late at night.
What's inside the terminal?
ISP has one terminal with a small collection of eateries, retailers and amenities:
Food and drink:
Dunkin’ is located just after security, and a small food court offers three dining options. Great American Bagel Panini (open daily 4 a.m. to 8 p.m.) serves coffee, sandwiches, salads and other quick bites. Point Blue Pub & Provisions offers hot food and drinks in a more relaxed, bar-style setting overlooking the runway and there’s also a Nathan’s Famous for hot dogs and chicken tenders.
Shopping:
Travel@ease near Gate A5 stocks snacks, books, charging cords and other travel basics, and there’s an additional travel convenience store before the TSA checkpoint. In the main atrium, East End Getaway sells Long Island-themed items like apparel, lavender products, soaps, coffee and local wines (Liquids over 3.4 ounces should be packed in checked bags).
Amenities:
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal, with charging outlets at the gates and in seating areas. Near the gates, nursing parents will also find a private mother's room for feeding infants. There’s an enclosed pet relief area just outside the baggage claim wing, with turf, waste bags and a disposal bin. There are no airline lounges at ISP.
The terminal at Long Island MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma. Credit: Barry Sloan
How early do I need to arrive?
TSA recommends arriving at least two hours before your flight. The security checkpoint opens at 3:45 a.m., and check-in counters open two hours before each departure. The cutoff for bags is 45 minutes before departure.
Many regulars report security lines under 10 minutes on normal travel days, though peak holiday weekends can result in longer wait times.
Where should I stop before or after my flight?
There are a couple of convenient spots near the airport to grab a meal or snack before or after a flight, both within a short drive of the terminal:
Glenn Wayne Bakery Outlet
1800 Artic Ave., Bohemia; glennwayne.com, 631-256-5140
A family-owned wholesale bakery that’s been operating since 1990, supplying doughnuts and baked goods across Long Island and the metro area. The Bohemia outlet is the only place to buy directly at discounted prices and it’s especially popular for its late-day "happy hour" specials Tuesday through Saturday from 5 to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 3 p.m., with self-serve doughnuts and pastries at reduced prices.
- 7-minute drive from ISP
- Hours: Tuesday through Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed Mondays.
Airport Diner
3760 E. Veterans Memorial Hwy., Bohemia; airportdinerny.com, 631-585-8404
A convenient sit-down option with a classic diner menu and quick access off Veterans Highway.
- 5-minute drive from ISP
- Hours: Open seven days a week, 6 a.m. to midnight
