Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter and Long Island MacArthur Airport Commissioner Shelley LaRose-Arken joined with community leaders and Southwest Airlines officials at a celebration marking Long Island’s newest nonstop destination – Nashville. The inaugural commemoration included live music, a photo booth, giveaways, a water salute for the aircraft, and more.
“Long Island travelers are ready to see some new places and get back to flying. We’ve all missed weekend getaways, celebratory events, and family vacations,” said Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter. “Nashville is an easy nonstop, and one of the top destinations in the US, according to Conde Nast & Travel & Leisure. We are thrilled that our Long Island customers now have a clean, convenient, comfortable way to get there safely, thanks to Southwest Airlines and MacArthur Airport,” she added.
“This is our first new destination of 2021, and we are thrilled Southwest is offering a fun destination now that Long Island is back to traveling,” said MacArthur Airport Commissioner, LaRose-Arken. “MacArthur Airport makes the trip easy. We’re close to home. We offer 24/7 air and surface purification, convenient parking, a welcoming attitude, and a little extra space without lines and crowds,” she added.
“There is pent-up demand for travel to US leisure destinations and Long Island / Nashville is a perfect combination,” said Steven Swan, Senior Director of Network Planning at Southwest Airlines. “Our Customers are very loyal and they know they will receive excellent customer service, enjoy clean aircraft, have free inflight entertainment, and appreciate great fares with the first two bags flying free. As always, Southwest travelers will be able to change or cancel their booking before their flight with no fees,” he added.
“Music City offers so much to do and see that’s lively and fun, and we also encourage Nashville locals to come to Long Island and experience all we have to offer, including our beautiful beaches, the Hamptons, Fire Island, wineries, world-class shopping, restaurants, and lighthouses,” said Carpenter. “Long Island has beautiful open spaces and is getting back to business and re-opening. We know that our airport represents an important economic engine and job opportunities for our entire community. We are so grateful to our airport employees who have worked so hard through the challenges. We also thank all the community members who have been on the frontlines caring and serving,” she added.
Long Island MacArthur Airport is integral to our economy and for the Long Island business community, this is an important part of our recovery effort,” said Matt Cohen, President & CEO of the Long Island Association. “With Southwest Airlines offering non-stop service to Nashville, it will help make Long Island even more attractive to new businesses and support additional job growth,” he said.