Best layover airports from MacArthur Airport: What to expect

Nobody books a flight hoping for a layover, but if your destination out of Ronkonkoma isn't available nonstop, chances are you'll be routed through one of the same handful of airports.

That's because MacArthur Airport runs mostly point-to-point service, meaning most flights go directly from ISP to one other city rather than funneling through a big central hub the way major airlines do. Southwest, JetBlue, Frontier, Breeze, Avelo and Cape Air fly out of ISP, and when a route isn't offered nonstop, the same few airports show up as the connection point.

Here's what to expect if you land at these three airports for a layover from MacArthur:

Baltimore-Washington International (BWI)

7050 Friendship Rd., Baltimore; bwiairport.com; 410-859-7111

Southwest runs ISP-BWI nonstop up to five times a day on weekdays and four times on weekends. If your Southwest itinerary connects anywhere else beyond this point, especially to Fort Myers, Sarasota, Tampa or Palm Beach, Florida, there's a solid chance BWI is your stop.

What's inside: BWI has one U-shaped terminal split into five concourses (A through E), all connected without needing a train. A focus city for Southwest, it has its own concourses, A and B, now linked by a new $500 million connector that opened in January, complete with a marketplace of local vendors and a Lexington Market. There are more than 50 dining options airport-wide, and the McDonald's in the A/B food court is one of the only 24-hour eateries, useful if you're stuck overnight. If you're connecting to Concourse D or E (the international side), budget at least 45 minutes because you'll have to clear security again.

There are four lounges at BWI, with two main options offering paid walk-in access and Priority Pass entry. The Club at BWI, in Concourse D near gate D10, provides a traditional lounge environment with food, drinks and workstations for a day pass fee of $50 to $60 (complimentary for Priority Pass). Note that its 50-person capacity means there may be a waitlist. Minute Suites in Concourse C (near gate C3) offers lockable, private suites with a daybed and workspace. Standard pricing starts at $65 per hour, while Priority Pass members receive their first hour free.

What's nearby: BWI has its own MARC and Amtrak rail station with a free 24-hour shuttle, so a long layover can turn into an actual side trip. Trains run straight into Baltimore's Penn Station or Washington's Union Station in under 30 minutes for as low as $4 one way, putting both Baltimore's Inner Harbor and D.C.'s National Mall within reach if your layover runs four hours or more.

Orlando International (MCO)

1 Jeff Fuqua Blvd., Orlando; flymco.com; 407-825-2001

Orlando is one of MacArthur's busiest destinations, served nonstop by Southwest, JetBlue and Frontier. It also doubles as Southwest's backup connection point for other Florida cities, like Fort Myers and Sarasota, when BWI isn't the routing.

What's inside: MCO is Florida's busiest airport, hauling over 57 million passengers a year, split across Terminals A, B and C connected by an automated people mover. Southwest and JetBlue are both major presences, each with its own dedicated gates. Expect long walks and crowds, especially around school breaks, since this is the gateway to Disney World and Universal. Budget extra time if you need to switch terminals, since Terminal C (international flights and all JetBlue flights) in particular requires a walk of close to a quarter-mile through a parking garage to connect back to the main building.

Food-wise, MCO has more than 70 restaurants and food outlets airport-wide, heavier on chains in Terminals A and B (Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, Auntie Anne's, Starbucks) but with a few standouts worth seeking out: Cask & Larder, a Southern-inspired gastropub with locations in both Terminal B and Terminal C and Sunshine Diner in Terminal C for comfort food like biscuits and gravy.

For lounges, The Club MCO has locations in both Terminals A and B and is the most flexible option for  MacArthur travelers: anyone with a boarding pass can get in for $60, and it's free with Priority Pass. Terminal C has its own Plaza Premium Lounge near Gate 241, with a day pass running around $75 and shower rooms offered for an additional charge.

If you need a place to stay without leaving security, The Hyatt Regency (9300 Jeff Fuqua Blvd; hyatt.com; 407-825-1234) sits directly inside the terminal.

What's nearby: Downtown Orlando and major theme parks like Disney World and Universal are a 20-25 minute drive from the airport.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL)

100 Aviation Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; fll.net; 866-435-9355

JetBlue and Southwest both connect through FLL from ISP, and it's the more manageable alternative to Miami International if your trip continues south.

What's inside: FLL is split across four terminals and the food experience really depends on which one you land in. Terminals 1 and 2 have the strongest lineup, Rocco's Tacos and Tequila Bar and Shula Burger in Terminal 1, Torn Basil and Shake Shack in Terminal 2, plus Starbucks scattered throughout. Terminals 3 and 4 are noticeably thinner on options, so if your connection routes you there, don't expect much beyond the basics. If you're on a red-eye or an early departure, The Market on Las Olas in Terminal 3 is the only 24-hour food option in the entire airport, so it's worth knowing about if everything else is shuttered.

Lounge options include The United Club (Terminal 1) and Delta's Sky Club (Terminal 2), and the Escape Lounge in Terminal 3, which costs $45 to $60 for a day pass, free with an Amex Platinum card. There's no full lounge in the Priority Pass network here, just a $28 dining credit at Kafe Kalik in Terminal 4, near Gate G6.

What's nearby: Downtown Fort Lauderdale and Las Olas Boulevard are a quick 15-minute drive away.