Islip, NY – October 14, 2026 – The Town of Islip is celebrating an historic milestone as Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) has been named the No. 1 Best Small Airport in America in the 2026 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

The first-place finish marks the culmination of years of steady progress in the national competition and delivers a major win for the Town of Islip, Long Island travelers, airport employees, our airline partners, local businesses, and the entire region.

Owned and operated by the Town of Islip, MacArthur Airport has steadily climbed the national rankings, advancing from sixth place in 2020 to fourth in 2021, fifth in 2023, third in 2024, and second in 2025 before reaching the top spot in 2026. The 2022 competition was not held.

The 2026 award places MacArthur Airport at the top of a national field of 10 winning airports. According to USA TODAY 10Best, nominees were selected by a panel of subject-matter experts and editors before the public voted on the final rankings.

“This is an extraordinary moment for the Town of Islip and all of Long Island,” said Town of Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter. “Long Island MacArthur Airport is one of our community’s most important assets, and seeing it recognized as the best small airport in America is a tremendous source of pride. This achievement reflects the dedication of our airport employees, the support of our residents, and our continued commitment to ensuring that MacArthur remains a convenient, welcoming gateway for travelers and a driving force for our local economy.”

“Reaching No. 1 in the nation is an incredible milestone for Long Island MacArthur Airport,” said Long Island MacArthur Airport Commissioner Rob Schneider. “We have worked hard to strengthen the airport, improve the passenger experience, and demonstrate the advantages of flying from our hometown airport. Moving from sixth place to first over the course of this competition is a remarkable accomplishment, and we are grateful to everyone who voted and helped spread the word about MacArthur. This recognition motivates us to keep raising the bar.”

“This is a win for Islip, a win for Long Island, and a win for everyone who believes in the value of having a strong hometown airport,” said Islip Town Councilman John Lorenzo. “MacArthur supports local jobs, helps connect our residents to destinations across the country, and contributes to the economic vitality of our community. Earning the nation’s top spot puts Islip on the map in a powerful way, and we look forward to building on this achievement for years to come.”

MacArthur Airport’s journey to first place reflects years of growing recognition in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards since 2020, and culminating with 1st Place in 2026!

“It’s no surprise that Islip MacArthur Airport has won this designation, as every day its stellar reputation grows across the country. Congratulations to Supervisor Carpenter and the entire Town of Islip for their guidance and leadership that has made Islip MacArthur a crown jewel in the airline industry,” said Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine.

The national award also highlights the role that local support plays in bringing attention to community institutions. Residents, travelers, businesses, and other supporters have helped raise MacArthur Airport’s profile as it progressed through the rankings.

Town leadership and airport officials remain focused on enhancing the passenger experience, pursuing opportunities for additional air service, and ensuring that MacArthur continues to serve the evolving transportation needs of Long Island.

The airport’s first-place finish is an opportunity to celebrate what has been accomplished while looking ahead to continued improvement, economic opportunity, and greater recognition for Islip and the region.

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, which is served by Avelo Airlines, Breeze Airways, Cape Air, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Southwest Airlines.
Access to the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) makes getting around Nassau and Suffolk counties convenient. Train service from the Ronkonkoma/MacArthur Airport LIRR station to New York City provides frequent transportation. Long Island MacArthur Airport directly and indirectly employs 6,000 people, has an $18.6 million annual operating budget and generates an economic impact of $600 million for the region and local economy. In 2025, ISP was voted the #2 Best Small Airport in the country in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards and was named one of the 50 Best Airports in America by The Washington Post.