Long Island MacArthur Airport

KISP is the practical alternative to JFK, LGA, and EWR for passengers traveling to eastern Long Island. There are no slot requirements or ground delay programs, which means departures run on schedule rather than at the discretion of an air traffic flow program. The airport sits in Islip, roughly midway down Long Island, making it well-positioned for both the South Shore beach communities and the North Shore.

The main runway (6/24) runs 7,006 feet, which handles most midsize and super-midsize jets without restriction. A second crossing runway adds operational flexibility. Traffic volume is low by metro standards, so ramp congestion is rarely a factor and FBO turnarounds are quick.

Passengers heading to the Hamptons often find KISP meaningfully faster door-to-door than flying into Teterboro or JFK, since the drive from ISP to Southampton runs about 45 minutes in light traffic versus 90 minutes or more from the New Jersey side.

Midtown Manhattan is roughly 50 miles west of the airport. Drive time runs 60 to 90 minutes depending on traffic and time of day. Long Island Expressway (I-495) is the direct route, but eastbound afternoon traffic can extend that significantly. Car services from the airport to Manhattan typically run $150 to $250.

For Hamptons destinations, East Hampton is about 50 miles east (45 to 60 minutes), Southampton roughly 40 miles (35 to 50 minutes), and Montauk around 70 miles (60 to 75 minutes). The LIRR Ronkonkoma station is approximately 5 miles from the airport for passengers who prefer rail into Penn Station.