A guide to Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP)
Quick insights
- Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) is a mid-size airport in the town of Islip on Long Island, New York.
- ISP has a one-level terminal and an adjacent Ground Transportation Center.
- ISP has three parking lots that offer short-term, long-term and economy parking.
Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP)Opens overlay, formerly known as Islip Airport, is less than 50 miles from both LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
ISP can be a helpful alternative for travelers heading to and from the New York area, particularly those headed to the Hamptons or North Fork. Located on Long Island, ISP also provides daily flights to several cities along the east coast from Boston to Miami. Read on to learn about getting to, from and around ISP.
Navigating to and from ISP
ISP is centrally located on Long Island between Manhattan to the west and Montauk Point to the east. Its address is 100 Arrival Ave. in Ronkonkoma, NY.
There is a Ground Transportation CenterOpens overlay at ISP adjacent to the airport via a covered walkway. It provides a central location for rental cars, rideshare service pickups, courtesy shuttles and public transit. Public transit options include:
- Bus Service: The Suffolk County Transit’s Route 6 bus stops at the Ground Transportation Center in the designated bus lane. It runs approximately every 30 minutes or every hour depending on the time of day.
- Hampton Jitney: This shuttle stops at ISP and provides service between the airport and the Hamptons and North Fork. Schedules vary throughout the year.
- Long Island Rail Road (LIRR): The rail line runs through the Ronkonkoma/MacArthur Airport Station stop just north of the airport and can take passengers to Penn Station and Grand Central Station in Manhattan. The station is off airport grounds but only a few minutes away by car.
Parking at ISP
Parking at ISPOpens overlay includes the following options:
- Short-term parking: There is one short-term lot directly across from the terminal. Those parking in the lot pay one fee for the first 30 minutes and then an hourly rate after 30 mins.
- Long-term/daily parking: There is one long-term lot just beyond the short-term lot. It charges hourly and daily rates.
- Economy lot: The economy lot is furthest from the terminal. It is beyond the long-term lot, on the other side of Arrival Ave. It charges hourly and daily rates.
- Cell phone waiting lot: This complimentary lot is off Arrival Ave., to the east of the long-term lot. It is less than a minute drive from the terminal. The cell phone waiting lot also doubles as a local parking lot for residents.
ISP terminals and map
ISP has a single one-level terminal with less than a dozen gates. Travelers enter the terminal near the ticketing counter. Baggage claim is to the left of the ticketing counters, and security screening is to the right around a corner. Gates, shopping and dining are just beyond security.
The airport is open 24 hours a day, but travelers may want to check with their airline carrier for their specific operating hours at ISP. Most carriers open two hours prior to their first departing flight.
You can check the terminal mapOpens overlay on the ISP website.
Security at ISP
There is one security screening checkpoint at ISP with dedicated TSA PreCheck® lanes. TSA checkpoints open daily at 3:45 a.m.
Airport guidance recommends arriving at least 2 hours before your scheduled departure time, and passengers are encouraged to arrive earlier if they are flying during peak travel times.
Getting through airport security faster
TSA wait times can vary, but there are Trusted Traveler Programs (TTPs) that may help expedite the security and passport screening processes.
TSA PreCheck allows members to use designated lanes at airport security checkpoints. Passengers in those lanes typically do not need to remove light jackets, shoes, belts or jewelry during screening.
Some credit cards offer reimbursement for TTP application fees when the cardmember uses their eligible card to pay the fee.
Airport amenities at ISP
Travelers can find shopping and dining options at ISP just beyond security. There are a few shopping options selling snacks, beverages, travel essentials and local merchandise. There is also a food court open daily with local restaurants and a coffee shop.
ISP offers the following amenities:
- An outdoor pet relief area just beyond the baggage claim wing
- Mothers’ rooms
- Water bottle filling stations
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
You can view dining and shopping options and airport amenitiesOpens overlay on the ISP site.
In summary
ISP is a mid-size airport on Long Island, providing access to both the Hamptons and Manhattan via public transit. The airport has a one-level terminal and an adjacent Ground Transportation Center. There are short-term, long-term and economy parking lots as well as a complimentary cell phone waiting area.
