Where to board the new seaplane service between New York and Boston
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
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.
Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for TPG’s free new biweekly Aviation newsletter!
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.
Featured photo by David Slotnick/The Points Guy.
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in the first three months of card membership. Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants in the first three months of card membership.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles and 5,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months.
- Plus, earn up to $100 back in statement credits for eligible purchases at U.S. restaurants with your card within the first 3 months of membership.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. *Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.