After several attempts, Long Island’s very own MacArthur Airport (ISP) has finally tasted victory.
The results of the 2026 USA Today 10Best Survey are in: ISP has been voted the best small airport in the nation.
The results were published at noon on Wednesday. In second place was last year’s winner , Grand Rapids, Michigan (GRR), followed by Northwest Arkansas (XNA), Providence, Rhode Island (PVD), Huntsville, Alabama (HSV), Fresno-Yosemite, California (FAT), El Paso, Texas (ELP), Colorado Springs (COS), Rochester, North Carolina (ROC), and Greensboro, North Carolina (GSO).
Compared to 2025, seven airports ranking in the top-ten remained in the top-ten this year. Missing out on the 2026 ranking were Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (MYR), Wichita, Kansas (ICT), and Pensacola, Florida (PNS). El Paso, Colorado Springs, and Northwest Arkansas were newcomers.
The result for MacArthur culminates in a years-long effort to revitalize the airport and put it on the map, not only for more regional travelers, but in the hearts and on the minds of travelers across the country. ISP first placed sixth in 2020, followed with a fourth-place finish in 2021, a fifth-place finish in 2023, and a jump to third place in 2024.
In 2025, ISP topped out at second place.
“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,” the Town said in a statement.
The airport is owned and operated by the Town of Islip. The airport boasts six carriers and 16 nonstop destinations. 5 of those routes came online this year alone.
“This is an extraordinary moment for the Town of Islip and all of Long Island,” said Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter (R-West Islip). “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.”
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches), who has long seen the vision in the airport and the greater economic area around it, said in a statement:
“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.”
The airport’s reputation precedes it in local circles, but it’s likely to complement, or even bolster, investment and interest in the region. The MacArthur Business Alliance (MBA) recently released an economic impact study showing the billions-worth footprint in the immediate, five-mile radius around the airport. Billions more in economic impact flows throughout the Island and even other parts of the state.
Their annual “HangarFest” is meant to bring those stakeholders together while highlighting the airport’s far-reaching benevolence.
“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.”
Debate continues to develop around the future of the airport. Supervisor Carpenter has pitched a new north terminal near the Ronkonkoma LIRR station, while other Islip Town Council members have adopted a wait-and-see approach while lobbying for the now-defunct west wing to be reconstructed into a terminal for short international flights.
Suffolk County is also surveying the 40 acres of land they possess near the train station, while Romaine has signaled that he’d like to bring Amtrak services to Ronkonkoma for a balanced, regional transit hub. That merely serves as the backdrop, however, for a larger vision of an economic, scientific, and entertainment center around the airport. Previous iterations were called “Midway Crossing,” and while that proposal was panned due to size and density concerns, a scaled-down version remains in talks.
Governor Kathy Hochul (D-Hamburg) has visited the airport herself. Last year, she committed $150 million for infrastructure improvements.
“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 (C-West Sayville), whose district contains the airport. “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.”
“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 Town of Islip said in a statement. “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.”
