Where to board the new seaplane service between New York and Boston
Tailwind Air launched its new seaplane service between New York City and Boston this week, finally bringing much-awaited downtown-to-midtown service to the cities' respective shorelines.
TPG was aboard Tailwind's first flight — you can read more about it here.
As I flew from Boston to New York, and back the next day, I was impressed by the service — even though the price is fairly high — and by how quickly the trip between the two cities takes door-to-door.
The only bump in the program was that it was a little bit tricky to find the airline's bases at first — though once you've been once, it'll be a piece of cake the next time.
Boston
Tailwind's seaplanes land at a floating pier in Boston Harbor. To get to and from the plane, passengers must take a six-to-seven-minute ferry ride.
The ferry departs from a small lounge at the Fan Pier Marina, located at the end of a pier that's situated roughly between the Institute of Contemporary Art and the federal courthouse.
There's a small lounge and office at the end of the Harborwalk where passengers can check in, have a snack and board the ferry. Here's where it is on Google Maps.
What makes it tricky is that there's construction in the area, so it can be a bit disorienting. If you walk past the nearby Waterfront Park toward the pier with the construction on your left, you can't miss it.
New York City
On the New York side, Tailwind departs for its shuttles and charter flights from the New York Skyports Seaplane Base, a small facility at the very eastern end of 23rd Street.
The entrance is on FDR Drive all the way to the east. The best option here is taxi or Uber — you can use the address 2430 FDR Drive — although you can also take the bus to 23rd Street and Avenue C and then walk over.
But even so, it's a bit tricky to tell where to go. There's a parking garage and a gas station. And plenty of road work.
But if you look ahead toward the river, to the left of the garage, you'll see banners for several small air charter companies including Blade and Tailwind.
Follow the signs and walk through the "Seaplane Terminal" doors, and look toward the right. The office and lounge are just past the outdoor area that Blade maintains.
There's another small lounge here — though bigger than the Boston one — where you can wait for your flight if you arrive a few minutes early.
More: First look: The new seaplane service between New York and Boston on Tailwind Air
There's no ferry on this end — once it's time to board your flight, the Tailwind crew will walk you right down to the plane, just a few steps away.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.