Tailwind Air eyeing New York to DC flights for its seaplane service

Tailwind Air announced its newest seaplane service to popular northeast summer destinations in recent days, but the company has even bigger plans in the works. Tailwind confirmed to TPG this weekend that it is seeking approval for a seaplane route that would connect New York with Washington, D.C.

Manhattan-based Tailwind Air launched its seaplane service last summer, and currently serves just over a half-dozen northeast destinations from the Skyport Marina at East 23 Street in NYC. To date, Tailwind has focused its attention on Long Island and New England destinations.

The company announced on Friday that it is adding direct and one-stop service later this month to Provincetown, Massachusetts, to supplement its existing service to Boston Harbor and numerous other locations like East Hampton, Sag Harbor, Plymouth and Bridgeport.

When you check Tailwind's website, though, its route map includes a proposed route that would take its seaplanes well outside of the Northeast. Tailwind wants to operate flights between New York and D.C. starting Sept. 7, but the route is subject to approval.

Peter Manic, Tailwind's director of scheduled operations, told TPG: "We do feel we have a pathway to D.C.-area service that will afford similar benefits to the ones our Boston-Manhattan passengers realize on a daily basis." He said the new route is still in the works at this point, but the company is eyeing a launch date shortly after Labor Day "pending proper approvals."

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

Of course, any proposed expansion of air service to our nation's capital carries with it intense federal scrutiny, considering air traffic restrictions in Washington, D.C. If approved though, the seaplane route would represent an intriguing additional option for travelers looking to make their way between the D.C. area and New York, on top of existing rail and air service.

Since launching its seaplane service last summer, Tailwind has argued its routes transport passengers more quickly between Boston and New York than the train or a traditional commercial jet, cutting door-to-door time. A key difference, though, is price: flights between Manhattan and Boston Harbor start at $395 one-way for the 85-minute flight.

Additional service launching

Tailwind Air's newest service launching this summer includes flights from Boston Harbor to Provincetown, Massachusetts, a coastal town at the tip of Cape Cod. Flights will take 35 minutes "dock to dock," according to the company.

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The seaplane operator is also offering itineraries that carry passengers between Manhattan and Provincetown. Most of those itineraries involve a stop at Boston Harbor, but the company will offer nonstop service from Provincetown to Skyport Marina on Sunday afternoons this summer.

Flights between Boston Harbor and Provincetown will start at $275, one-way, with a $795 fare for the trip between Provincetown and Manhattan. With this additional route starting just before Memorial Day weekend on May 25, Tailwind now serves eight destinations in its amphibious aircraft from its Manhattan base.

Related: Saving money on trip to Nantucket and Cape Code with points and miles

Bottom line

Tailwind's expansion to Provincetown this summer means more choices for passengers looking to take advantage of the service. Meanwhile, we'll be keeping a very close eye in the coming months on the company's hopes to expand to the D.C. area, which would represent the biggest step yet for Tailwind since beginning its service in 2021.