Honestly, the New York airport "shuffle" is a nightmare. Most of us just default to the big three—JFK, Newark, or LaGuardia—because we think that’s where the action is. But then you’re stuck in two hours of Van Wyck Expressway traffic or paying $80 for an Uber that moves at the speed of a brisk walk.
Enter New York Stewart International Airport (SWF).
It sits up in Newburgh, about 60 miles north of Manhattan. For a long time, it was the "secret" airport. People forgot it even existed unless they lived in the Hudson Valley. But things have changed. In 2026, the landscape of stewart international airport airlines looks a lot different than it did a few years ago. It’s no longer just a sleepy regional strip; it’s a legitimate alternative for anyone who hates crowds and $500 domestic tickets.
The Airlines Currently Running the Show
Let’s talk specifics. You aren't going to find 40 different carriers here. It’s a curated list, mostly dominated by low-cost disruptors.
Allegiant Air is essentially the backbone of domestic travel at Stewart. They don't do the "hub and spoke" thing. They do "get me to the sun for the price of a nice dinner." Currently, they are running non-stop routes to Florida and South Carolina. We're talking Fort Lauderdale, Orlando-Sanford, Punta Gorda, and St. Pete-Clearwater. They also keep Myrtle Beach on the map for the golfers and beach bums.
Then you have Breeze Airways. These guys are the "seriously, why didn't we have this before?" airline. They just announced a massive expansion for 2026, including twice-weekly service to Raleigh-Durham (RDU) starting in May. What's cool about Breeze is their "BreezeThru" service. You can hop on a plane in Newburgh, stop in Raleigh, and stay on that same plane all the way to Tampa. No re-checking bags. No sprinting through a terminal you don't recognize.
✨ Don't miss: Anderson California Explained: Why This Shasta County Hub is More Than a Pit Stop
The International Wildcard: PLAY
If you want to get to Europe without the JFK trauma, PLAY Airlines is basically your only play (pun intended). They fly daily to Reykjavik, Iceland. From there, they connect to basically every major European city—Paris, Berlin, Dublin, London.
Is it a luxury experience? No. It’s a bright red budget airline. But the terminal at Stewart is so small that you can get from the curb to your gate in ten minutes. You can't do that at JFK even if you’re the pilot.
What Most People Get Wrong About Stewart
People hear "International" and expect a sprawling metropolis. Stewart is tiny.
That’s its superpower.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has been dumping money into this place, specifically the Federal Inspection Station. They want to process international passengers faster than any other entry point in the Northeast. While everyone else is standing in a two-hour customs line at Newark, the folks coming in from Iceland on PLAY are usually out the door and on the Stewart City Bus in 20 minutes.
🔗 Read more: Flights to Chicago O'Hare: What Most People Get Wrong
The Real Cost Comparison
You've got to look at the "hidden" costs of travel.
- Parking: At Stewart, it’s cheap and right next to the terminal.
- Stress: Priceless.
- The Ride: There’s a direct "Stewart Express" bus that times itself to the PLAY arrivals and departures, whisking people to Midtown Manhattan.
Why Some Airlines Left (and Why It Matters)
You might remember Norwegian Air or even Atlantic Airways. Atlantic Airways had a brief, fascinating stint flying to the Faroe Islands. As of now, that’s on hiatus. The Faroe Islands route was one of those "if you know, you know" travel hacks, but the demand wasn't quite there to keep it year-round in the 2026 schedule.
Airlines at Stewart are fickle. They test routes. If the Hudson Valley doesn't show up, the route vanishes. But with the recent record-breaking passenger numbers—nearly 150 million across the Port Authority system—Stewart is seeing a "trickle-up" effect. People are tired of the chaos at the big airports and are willing to drive an extra 30 minutes north to save three hours of airport misery.
The Business and Cargo Side of Things
It’s not just about vacationers. stewart international airport airlines also include a massive cargo component. UPS and FedEx use this place as a major northern node. Why? Because the runway is massive.
Runway 9-27 is 11,817 feet long. To put that in perspective, that’s long enough to land a Space Shuttle. It was actually an emergency landing site for the shuttle program. This massive runway means Stewart can handle the biggest planes on earth (Group VI aircraft) without breaking a sweat.
💡 You might also like: Something is wrong with my world map: Why the Earth looks so weird on paper
We’re also seeing companies like Sky Harbour Group expanding their hangar footprint here. They’re building out 150,000 square feet of private aviation space. So, while you're boarding your $48 Allegiant flight to Orlando, a tech CEO might be landing their Gulfstream 300 yards away. It’s a weird, functional mix of budget travel and high-end logistics.
Is It Actually Worth the Drive?
If you live in Westchester, Fairfield County, or Northern New Jersey, Stewart is a no-brainer. If you’re in Brooklyn? Maybe not.
But here is the tip: check the "bundled" deals. Allegiant and Breeze often partner with car rental agencies like Alamo and Enterprise at SWF. Because the airport is less congested, the rental car process is actually functional. You aren't waiting in a line of 50 people who all just got off a flight from London.
Future Outlook for 2026 and Beyond
The Port Authority is currently offering a "Carrier Incentive Program." Basically, they’re waiving landing fees and rent for two years for any airline that brings in a new non-stop destination. This is why we’re seeing Breeze add Raleigh-Durham. Expect more of this. There are whispers of more "sun destinations" coming back to the board—think Myrtle Beach or perhaps even a return of more Caribbean-focused seasonal charters.
Actionable Next Steps for Travelers
- Check the Calendar: Breeze and Allegiant don't fly every day. They usually run "frequency schedules" (think Thursdays and Sundays). If your dates are flexible, you can snag a round-trip for under $100.
- Book Direct: Don't rely on Expedia for these flights. Many of the budget stewart international airport airlines don't list their best fares on third-party sites. Go straight to the airline's website.
- Download the App: Since Stewart is a "smart" airport now, gate changes and baggage alerts happen almost exclusively via the airline apps.
- The Bus Hack: If you’re coming from NYC, don't drive. Take the Stewart Express bus from Port Authority Bus Terminal. It’s cheaper than gas and tolls on the Thruway.
Stewart isn't trying to be JFK. It’s trying to be the airport that doesn't make you want to scream. In 2026, that's a pretty high bar to clear, and they're doing a decent job of it.
Next Steps for You: Check the current seasonal schedule for Breeze Airways directly on their site to see if the Raleigh-Durham connection aligns with your spring travel plans, as these "BreezeThru" seats tend to sell out fast.