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Where to board the new seaplane service between New York and Boston

Aug. 06, 2021
4 min read
Where to board the new seaplane service between New York and Boston
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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.

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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.

Boston ferry. (Photo by David Slotnick/The Points Guy)

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.

(Photo by David Slotnick/The Points Guy)

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.

Tailwind check-in area in Boston. (Photo by David Slotnick/The Points Guy)

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.

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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.

Skyport and Tailwind's base in New York City. (Photo by David Slotnick/The Points Guy)

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.

Skyport NYC. (Photo by David Slotnick/The Points Guy)

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.

(Photo by David Slotnick/The Points Guy)
Skyport NYC. (Photo by David Slotnick/The Points Guy)

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.

Tailwind's lounge in NYC. (Photo by David Slotnick/The Points Guy)

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

Tailwind Air. (Photo by David Slotnick/The Points Guy)

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.

Featured image by DAVID SLOTNICK/TPG
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
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  • $250 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees