Seaplanes in Boston? Absolutely, for Their First Full Season
When I think of seaplanes taking off and landing,
I think of exotic, off the beaten path islands where seclusion and privacy reign along stunning, sandy beaches and lukewarm, crystal clear waters. Oh, and Tattoo from Fantasy Island, of course.
Now, you and I can add Boston to New York. These planes seat up to 8 people, and also fly to and from Plymouth, Massachusetts, Bridgeport, Connecticut, as well as East Hampton, Montauk, and Shelter Island New York. Welcome Tailwind Air.
I'm kind of obsessed over this right now, because even if you don't have to fly anywhere, or can't drop the big bucks to do it, watching them take off and land is so cool between the harbor cruises, sail boats, and yachts that pepper our spring, summer, and fall landscape in Boston.
But seriously imagine the views once you're up in the air since seaplanes fly slower and lower.
Literally the Instagram-worthy photos of perfect aerial city shots and coastline may just make the few hundred dollars round trip worth it even if you don't have any reason to take the flight for business or on a getaway weekend.
Tailwind Air had a brief, 2-3 month run last August-November, flying from Boston's Fan Pier Marina to New York City, and now returns for a full season, March through November. They've actually been in New York since 2014 and expanding to Boston for the first full season is official for 2022.
The plan was always to bring them to Boston but the pandemic slowed things up a bit. And Boston is a perfect addition because speed is what's behind this fun way to fly, according to Tailwind CEO, Alan Ram.
You get from downtown Boston to downtown New York in under two hours, just 75 minutes in the air, and that's literally half the travel time of a 4 hour train trip or 3 1/2 to 4 hour regular plane trip that includes airport time.
According to the Tailwind website, check-in is just 10 minutes prior to take-off. Plus, there's an air conditioned lounge where you can wait so you're not just slumming it on the docks with your bags.
Love it!
Here's more information and some videos about Tailwind Air.