'Pop-Up' Flight From LI MacArthur's Will Fly To Kentucky Derby

RONKONKOMA, NY — Long Islanders can fly directly to one more city from MacArthur Airport, at least for one weekend in May. On Wednesday afternoon, the Town of Islip announced that Breeze Airways will fly from Long Island to Louisville, Kentucky for the Kentucky Derby.

The outgoing flight will leave May 5 and the return trip takes place on Sunday, May 8. The 148th annual Kentucky Berby will take place at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 7.

Earlier this year, Breeze Airways flew its first direct flights from Ronkonkoma to Charleston, SC and Norfolk, VA. The new airline is looking to connect underserved regional airports and Breeze coming to MacArthur was a major boon to Suffolk's airport, looking to expand destinations, tourism and flights.

Breeze is also flying from Long Island to New Orleans, but not directly, at least yet: The "BreezeThru" flights will have a stop in Charleston, but travelers won't need to change planes. The New Orleans flights begin May 19.

And it's possible the Louisville flight may be the airline testing the waters for a new ongoing connection. During a December 2021 press conference, Breeze Airways founder David Neeleman explained that the airline may add new cities to Islip's roster permanently, as the company tests demand.