Airline passengers in parts of New York State’s Hudson River Valley, eastern Pennsylvania, northern New Jersey and western Connecticut have a shared secret: New York Stewart International Airport in New Windsor is often the smartest choice when flying to Florida and select international destinations. The airport has grown a reputation as a convenient, low-stress alternative to the region’s busier hubs, and it now offers direct service to two popular international bucket-list destinations: Reykjavik, Iceland, and Vagar Island in the Faroe Islands.
One of Stewart’s biggest advantages is how rarely it feels crowded. According to TSA wait-time data, “passengers moving through the security checkpoints at New York Stewart should anticipate waiting on average of 2 minutes and 24 seconds,” even without using TSA PreCheck. That short security wait, combined with less road congestion compared with JFK, Newark Liberty and LaGuardia, makes Stewart attractive to travelers seeking a simpler airport experience. Parking is another draw: short- and long-term lots located steps from the terminal are generally less expensive than comparable parking at other airports in the region, including some smaller fields like Westchester County Airport.
The terminal sits conveniently off the New York State Thruway and I-84 in Orange County. Stewart is owned and managed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the same agency that oversees the area’s three major airports as well as Teterboro Airport, a general aviation facility in New Jersey.
New York Stewart International Airport © PANYNJ
Travelers who prefer not to drive have multiple transit options to reach Stewart. For international travelers, Coach USA runs convenient bus transfers between New York City and Stewart, with the Stewart Airport Express offering a fast and affordable connection from Manhattan’s Midtown Bus Terminal directly to the airport terminal. Domestic travelers also benefit from expanding low-cost airline service at Stewart. Breeze Airlines, the airport’s newest budget carrier, now provides direct flights to Orlando (MCO) and Charleston (CHS), with service to Fort Myers (RSW) starting this October. Allegiant Air also serves several Florida markets from Stewart, including Punta Gorda/Fort Myers (PGD), Orlando/Sanford (SFB), Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg (PIE), and Myrtle Beach (MYR).
For transatlantic travel, Play Airlines, a low-cost carrier based in Reykjavik, operates scheduled service from Stewart to Keflavik International Airport (KEF), providing easy connections onward to Europe. Iceland continues to appeal to younger travelers thanks to its welcoming culture, lively food and music scenes, dramatic landscapes and widespread English usage.
Starting in September, Atlantic Airways will resume seasonal nonstop service from Stewart to Vagar Airport (FAE) in the Faroe Islands. Flights begin Sept. 4, with departures from Stewart every Wednesday and returns each Tuesday through Oct. 8. New York Stewart is the only airport in the United States offering direct flights to Vagar during this service period.
Vagar Island © AlessioMesiano.com
Vagar Island is among the most scenic of the North Atlantic’s Faroe Islands. As interest in less-crowded, novel destinations grows, baby boomers and other travelers are discovering the Faroes for their quiet villages, well-maintained roads, dramatic coastal cliffs and comfortable lodgings. Located midway between Iceland and Norway, north of Scotland and a territory of Denmark, the Faroe Islands are often described as one of Europe’s best-kept secrets, offering a peaceful, nature-forward travel experience.