✈️ Flight Guide: Fort Myers (RSW) → Islip (ISP)

December travelers flying from Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) to Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) can enjoy diverse seasonal events: In the Fort Myers area, the Edison & Ford Winter Estates host holiday light displays and craft fairs, while Naples offers the popular Naples Zoo Lights. On Long Island and nearby New York City, must-see attractions include Jones Beach Holiday Lights, Fire Island winter strolls, Patchogue holiday markets, and Manhattan’s holiday markets and tree-lighting events. These seasonal festivities draw local crowds and may impact travel timing; plan transfers and accommodations early if attending holiday events.

The best time to fly from Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) to Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) in December is typically mid-week during early-to-mid December, avoiding the 10 days around Christmas and New Year’s. Early-morning departures reduce chance of cascading delays and often have lower fares; late-night red-eyes can also be cheaper but may be less convenient. If your schedule allows, fly the Tuesday or Wednesday before the holiday week and return mid-week after New Year’s to minimize costs and crowds. For family travel, factor in school holiday start/end dates when choosing tickets.

Direct nonstop flights from Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) to Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) are fastest—around 2h40–3h—but they are often seasonal or limited in December. Connecting flights typically route through larger hubs like Charlotte, Philadelphia, or New York-area airports and can be 4–7+ hours total. For December travel during the holidays, many travelers choose direct flights where available to reduce the risk of missed connections and winter-weather-related delays. If cost is the priority, one-stop itineraries will usually provide better fares; balance price vs convenience and consider longer layovers as a hedge against winter disruptions.

JetBlue: Known for comfortable economy seating and strong East Coast presence—JetBlue may offer competitive nonstop or single-connection itineraries between Florida and Long Island; baggage policies are mid-tier and variable by fare. American Airlines: Offers broad hub connectivity (PHL, CLT) and frequent December connections; typically reliable but may require early booking for holiday seats. Delta Air Lines: Good winter operations with solid on-time performance via ATL and seasonal routes; higher average fares than low-cost carriers but strong reliability. Spirit Airlines: Often the lowest base fares from Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), but expect extra fees for bags and seats; good option if you travel light and book in advance. Compare total trip cost (including bags and seat selection) when choosing carriers for your December RSW → ISP itinerary.

Pack layers—light clothing for Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) departures and warm outerwear for Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) arrivals—as December often transitions travelers from mild Florida weather to cold Long Island temperatures. Arrive earlier than usual: plan for 90–120 minutes for domestic December flights during holiday weeks due to longer security and parking times. Keep digital copies of travel documents and sign up for airline alerts to receive real-time schedule changes. Consider refundable or flexible fares and purchase travel insurance if you’re traveling the week of major holidays to protect against weather-related cancellations. Finally, download airport maps for RSW and ISP, pre-book ground transportation in advance, and confirm rental car availability before arrival to avoid last-minute rate surges.

Nonstop flights from Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) to Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP), when available in December, generally take about 2 hours 40 minutes to 3 hours. Many travelers will see one-stop itineraries via hubs such as Charlotte (CLT) or Philadelphia (PHL), increasing total travel time to 4–7 hours depending on layovers. Schedule frequency typically increases in early December for seasonal service and spikes sharply during the last two weeks of the month due to holiday travel. For most accurate December departure and arrival times, use airline schedule pages or real-time flight trackers and confirm connections to reduce missed-connection risk during winter operations.

To find cheap flights from Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) to Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) in December, book as early as 6–10 weeks prior to peak holiday dates and target mid-week departures (Tuesdays–Thursdays). Avoid traveling on the Friday before Christmas and New Year’s Eve when fares peak. Use flexible-date search and ±3-day calendars to spot lower fares, and consider one-stop itineraries through hubs like Charlotte or Philadelphia to save money. Set fare alerts for both nonstop and connecting routes; low-cost carriers may offer flash sales in early December. Typical off-peak December fares can be 15–40% cheaper than peak-holiday fares, but monitor prices closely since holiday demand often causes quick changes. Book now, compare carriers, and confirm baggage policies to avoid surprise fees.