Honestly, if you're looking for flights to Long Island New York, you’ve probably realized by now that "Long Island" is a massive place. It’s not just one destination. It’s a 118-mile-long stretch of land that starts with the urban density of Queens and ends at the lighthouse in Montauk.
People make the mistake of just typing "NYC" into a search engine and hoping for the best.
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Big mistake. Huge. Depending on where you’re actually headed—whether it’s a business meeting in Garden City, a wedding in the Hamptons, or visiting family in Stony Brook—picking the wrong airport can turn a 40-minute drive into a three-hour nightmare on the Long Island Expressway.
Which Airport Should You Actually Pick?
Most travelers assume they have to fly into the "big two" in Queens. But there's a third option that locals swear by, and it’s usually the smartest move if you want to keep your sanity.
Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP)
This is the hidden gem. It’s located in Ronkonkoma, which is pretty much the heart of Suffolk County. If your final destination is anywhere east of the Nassau-Suffolk border, this is your best friend.
Why? Because it’s tiny. You can get from the gate to your rental car in about eight minutes.
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Southwest and Frontier are the heavy hitters here. In 2026, we’re seeing a lot of direct routes from Florida (Orlando, Tampa, West Palm Beach) and even some surprisingly cheap mid-week hauls from places like Baltimore or Nashville. If you can find a direct flight here, take it. Even if it costs $50 more than a flight to JFK, the savings on Uber fees and stress are worth every penny.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
This is the beast. It’s technically on Long Island (geographically speaking), located in southern Queens. If you’re coming in from Los Angeles, San Francisco, or anywhere international, you’re likely landing here.
JFK is the best choice if you’re staying in western Nassau County or if you’re planning on using the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). You hop on the AirTrain, get to Jamaica Station, and from there, you can catch a train to almost anywhere on the island.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
The "new" LaGuardia is actually beautiful now, which is something I never thought I’d say five years ago. It’s great for domestic flights on Delta or American. However, it’s further north in Queens. If you land here and need to get to the South Shore of Long Island during rush hour, God bless you. You’ll be staring at brake lights for a long, long time.
The Secret to Scoring Cheap Flights
If you want to save money on flights to Long Island New York, you have to play the "Midweek Shuffle."
Airlines like JetBlue and Southwest frequently drop their prices for Tuesday and Wednesday departures. I’ve seen one-way fares from Florida to ISP for as low as $69 when booked about 40 days out.
Don't ignore the "Hacker Fare" either. Sometimes it’s cheaper to fly into LGA and out of ISP. It sounds like a hassle, but if you’re renting a car anyway, it doesn't matter. You just drop the car off at the other airport. Most major rental agencies like Hertz or Enterprise allow this between the NY-area airports for a small fee, and it can save you $200 on the flight itself.
Getting Around Once You Land
Let's talk about the "L.I.E." (Long Island Expressway). Locals call it the world’s longest parking lot.
If you fly into JFK or LGA, you have three real options to get deeper into the island:
- The LIRR: It’s reliable. It’s relatively clean. It bypasses traffic. If you're going to places like Huntington, Patchogue, or the Hamptons, the train is often faster than driving.
- Ride-shares: An Uber from JFK to the Hamptons can easily cost $250. Just a heads-up.
- Car Rentals: Essential if you’re staying anywhere in Suffolk County. Public transit out there is... let's just say "aspirational."
The Hamptons and North Fork Dilemma
If you’re headed to the East End for a summer getaway, your flight choice matters more than ever.
Flying into JFK and then driving to Montauk on a Friday afternoon? That’s a six-hour journey. No joke.
In this scenario, ISP (MacArthur) is your only logical choice. You’re already halfway there. Better yet, if you’ve got the budget, there are seasonal "Blade" flights or small charters that run into East Hampton (HTO) or Westhampton (FOK), but for the 99% of us, MacArthur is the way to go.
Realities of 2026 Travel
Construction is still a thing. New York is always under construction. The roads around JFK are currently a maze of orange cones, so if you’re flying in there, add an extra 30 minutes to your "estimated arrival" time for whatever car service you’re using.
Also, keep an eye on Breeze Airways. They've been expanding their footprint at smaller airports lately, and they often offer "nice" and "nicer" seating tiers that are way more comfortable than the budget carriers for just a few bucks more.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Trip
- Check MacArthur (ISP) first. Go to Google Flights, put in your departure city, and use "ISP" as the destination. Compare it to JFK and LGA.
- Verify your ground transit. Use a map app to check the drive time from the airport to your hotel at the specific time you’ll be landing. A 4:00 PM landing on a Friday is very different from a 10:00 AM landing on a Tuesday.
- Book the LIRR in advance. If you’re taking the train from Jamaica Station, download the MTA TrainTime app. It lets you buy tickets on your phone so you don't have to fumble with the kiosks while carrying luggage.
- Set a Price Alert. If your trip is more than two months away, set an alert for all three airports. Prices for this region fluctuate wildly based on business travel demand.
Long Island is a fantastic place—the beaches, the wineries, the diners that serve breakfast 24/7. But getting there requires a bit of strategy. Don't just book the first flight you see to "New York." Take ten minutes to look at a map, check the smaller airports, and save yourself a massive headache.