Exploring Newburgh-Stewart Airport's Location In New York State

New York Stewart International Airport, colloquially known as Stewart International Airport, is a public/military airport in Orange County, New York, United States. It is located in the southern Hudson Valley, west of Newburgh, south of Kingston, and southwest of Poughkeepsie, approximately 60 miles (97 km) north of Manhattan, New York City. The airport is within the towns of Newburgh and New Windsor and was developed in the 1930s as a military base to train cadets at the nearby United States Military Academy at West Point in aviation. It has since grown into a significant passenger airport for the mid-Hudson region and continues to serve as a military airfield.

New York Stewart International Airport's location

New York Stewart International Airport is located in Orange County, New York, in the southern Hudson Valley. The airport is west of Newburgh, south of Kingston, and southwest of Poughkeepsie. It is approximately 60 miles (97 km) north of Manhattan, New York City.

The airport is located within the towns of Newburgh and New Windsor. It is a public/military airport, developed in the 1930s as a military base for aviation training for cadets at the nearby United States Military Academy at West Point.

The airport is accessible via Interstate 84, with a new exit and access road, International Boulevard, constructed to improve access. There are plans for a potential light rail connection to the airport from a nearby Metro-North passenger line. A shuttle bus service, known as the Stewart Airport Express, is currently available.

New York Stewart International Airport covers 1,552 acres of land and has two asphalt runways and one helipad. It offers both commercial and passenger services, as well as facilities for corporate jets and cargo operations.

The airport's history

New York Stewart International Airport (IATA: SWF, ICAO: KSWF, FAA LID: SWF) is a public/military airport in Orange County, New York, United States. Located in the southern Hudson Valley, it is approximately 60 miles (97 km) north of Manhattan, New York City.

The airport was developed in the 1930s as a military base for aviation training for cadets at the nearby United States Military Academy at West Point. Thomas "Archie" Stewart, an early aviation enthusiast, convinced his uncle, Samuel Stewart, to donate land for the airport's construction. In 1934, Douglas MacArthur, then superintendent of the Military Academy, proposed flight training cadets at the airport, and the city sold the land for one dollar.

During World War II, many barracks and other buildings were constructed on the base, some of which still stand today. After the war, the army airfield was converted into an air force base, and in the 1960s, it became the home of the Headquarters 1st Region Army Air Defense Command. The base was deactivated in 1970 and remained unoccupied until 1983, when the New York Air National Guard took up quarters.

In the 1970s, Governor Nelson Rockefeller envisioned expanding the airport to support the metropolitan area, but his plans faced opposition from local landowners, leading to reforms in the state's eminent domain laws. In 1981, the airport gained recognition as the return site for 52 American hostages held in Iran.

In 2000, the airport became the first privatised commercial airport in the US, leased to United Kingdom-based National Express. However, due to local opposition, the company sold the rights in 2007, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey acquired the lease. The airport was rebranded as New York Stewart International Airport in 2018 to highlight its proximity to New York City.

Today, the airport continues to serve as a significant passenger airport for the mid-Hudson region and a military airfield for the New York Air National Guard and the United States Marine Corps Reserve.

Hotels near the airport

Hotels near Newburgh Stewart Airport

Hampton Inn & Suites Newburgh Stewart Airport

Located 1.1 miles from Orange Lake centre, this hotel is very convenient if you're looking for something near Newburgh Stewart Airport and Highways 84 and 87. It is one of the most booked hotels in Newburgh in the last 60 days and is the closest accommodation to the airport.

Courtyard Newburgh Stewart Airport

This hotel is just 1 mile from Newburgh centre and features a garden, a shared lounge, a restaurant, and a bar. It is ranked as the #3 Best Value out of 563 hotels near the airport.

Homewood Suites by Hilton Newburgh-Stewart Airport

This hotel is located in New Windsor, 1 mile from the town centre. It offers ideal accommodations for anyone travelling to the New York area and has been praised for its cleanliness and exceptional customer service.

The Crossroads Hotel - Newburgh, Ascend Hotel Collection

Located 1.3 miles from Orange Lake centre, this hotel has been praised for its cleanliness, comfortable rooms, and helpful staff. It is also one of the most booked hotels in Orange Lake over the last 60 days.

Red Roof Inn & Suites Newburgh - Stewart Airport / West Point

Nestled in Hudson Valley and overlooking Lake Washington, this hotel is 1.6 miles from Stewart International Airport. It offers convenient access to Interstates 87 and 84 and provides shuttle services to the airport.

Howard Johnson by Wyndham Newburgh/West Point

This hotel is located 1.5 miles from the airport and is situated in the heart of the majestic Hudson Valley. It is minutes away from West Point Military Academy and Woodbury Common Premium Outlets. It has been praised for its reasonable prices, excellent mattresses, and clean blue water in the bath.

Transport to the airport

New York Stewart International Airport is located in Orange County, New York, approximately 60 miles (97 km) north of Manhattan, New York City. The airport is situated west of Newburgh, south of Kingston, and southwest of Poughkeepsie.

There are several transport options available for travellers heading to New York Stewart International Airport:

• By Car: Travellers can drive to the airport via Interstate 84, which provides access to the airport through the Drury Lane exit. However, due to the distance from New York City, taxi fares to the airport can be very high.
• By Bus: The Stewart Airport Express, operated by Coach USA, offers a direct and fast bus service between the airport and New York City. This service is timed to correspond with Play and Atlantic Airways flights. The buses feature various amenities, including WiFi, reclining seats, and wheelchair accessibility. Tickets can be purchased online or in the arrivals hall. Another bus option is the Megabus, which connects to all international routes and offers tickets for $25.
• By Train: There is currently no direct train service to the airport. However, travellers can take a shuttle bus from the airport to Beacon Railway Station, located about 10 miles away. From there, they can take the Metro-North train to New York City, terminating at Grand Central Station in Manhattan. The entire journey takes around 2 to 3 hours, including the shuttle bus and train ride.

Airlines that fly from the airport

New York Stewart International Airport (IATA: SWF, ICAO: KSWF, FAA LID: SWF) is located in Orange County, New York, in the southern Hudson Valley, west of Newburgh, south of Kingston, and southwest of Poughkeepsie. The airport is around 60 miles (97 km) north of Manhattan, New York City, and is used by private and corporate travellers as an alternative to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in the Greater New York area.

The airport is served by a handful of international and domestic budget carriers, with four passenger airlines currently operating from the airport:

Allegiant Air

Allegiant Air has a long history with SWF. The airline pulled out of the airport in 2007 due to low demand but returned in 2013 with flights to St. Petersburg/Clearwater in Florida. Since then, it has added more routes and is now one of two domestic carriers at the airport. Allegiant Air offers flights to the following destinations:

• Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR), South Carolina
• Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB), Florida
• Punta Gorda Airport (PGD), Florida
• St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (PIE), Florida

Atlantic Airways

Atlantic Airways is the national carrier of the Faroe Islands, an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark. The airline began operating flights to SWF from Vágar Airport (FAE), its home base, in September 2023. The seasonal flights are offered between September and October, and passengers can connect to key European destinations such as Copenhagen, Oslo, Paris, and Reykjavík through the Faroe Islands hub.

Breeze Airways

Breeze Airways is a low-cost carrier headquartered in Utah and founded by JetBlue and WestJet founder David Neeleman. The airline offers a premium first-class product on its Airbus A220-200 aircraft. Breeze Airways flies from SWF to the following destinations:

• Charleston International Airport (CHS), South Carolina
• Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), Florida
• Orlando International Airport (MCO), Florida

Play Airlines

Play Airlines is an Icelandic low-cost carrier that operates from its hub in Reykjavík–Keflavík Airport (KEF). Play Airlines offers a daily flight to SWF, making it the only international carrier with a steady presence at the airport. Passengers can fly to Europe via Iceland, with tickets starting at just $109. Connections to 11 European destinations are available via Iceland, including London, Dublin, Paris, Berlin, Copenhagen, Brussels, Stuttgart, Trondheim, and Gothenburg.

In addition to these four airlines, it is worth noting that Frontier Airlines operated flights to Orlando from SWF until July 2, 2023. However, as of May 12, 2023, Frontier Airlines has ended its presence at the airport.

Frequently asked questions