(photo Alfredo Maldonado)
by Ron Benthal
The summer of 2022 has already seen its share of delayed and cancelled flights, massively crowded airports, and longer than normal at airport TSA lines. For affluent leisure and business travelers in the Northeast, however, flying on Tailwind Air to destinations like New York City, Boston, Provincetown and the Hamptons as never been easier.
For passengers departing New York for Boston, Tailwind has offered scheduled seaplane flights since 2021 from the New York Skyports Seaplane Base (NYS), located where East 23rd Street meets the East River. It is so conveniently located that many passengers simply walk there from their Manhattan offices or apartments.
I checked-in for my NYS-BNH flight about 30 minutes before our 10:00 am departure. I could have waited until 10 minutes before departure, but as a first-time Tailwind passenger, I wanted to see and experience the pre-departure routine. Tailwind offers a small but comfortable check-in lounge as you approach the pier leading to the East River boarding zone. I provided a picture ID to the young woman in the lounge, was offered a choice of drinks from the fridge, and waited about 20 minutes in the air-conditioned lounge while reading some travel publications from a table nearby. At this point I was the only passenger waiting.
Tailwind routes 2022 (Washington DC expected to be approved in fall)
At 9:50 a.m. two other passengers checked-into the lounge, and at the same time it was announced that the incoming aircraft was expected to land in five minutes. The other two passengers (both going to Boston for a conference) and myself were escorted down to the end of the pier, about a minute walk, where we watched a beautiful white seaplane land in the East River in front us, and then taxi over to our “gate” — a square floating dock tied to the end of the pier. Within a few minutes, six passengers disembarked from Tailwind’s Cessna Caravan aircraft and walked along the pier to East 23rd Street, carrying small wheeled suitcases or backpacks. No taxi’s, Ubers, or Air Train was needed to get into Manhattan. It was a luxury that I enjoyed on the return trip to New York City.
As soon as the six arriving passengers were off the plane, our pilot, Dave Evans, dressed in shorts, sneakers, and short-sleeve shirt helped us into the aircraft. Boarding was quick, and baggage (limited to 20 pounds per person) was easily stowed in the back of the plane. We were instructed to buckle up, and within a minute or two the seaplane was taxiing out to the middle of the East River to prepare for take-off. A second pilot was in the right front seat.
Tailwind pilot Dave Evans welcoming passengers to board (photo Ron Bernthal)
After idling for a few minutes in the middle of the East River (our runway) to make sure that ferries, tugboats, kayaks and other watercraft were not in our way, the Cessna raced south on the river, water splashing underneath us, and in less than a minute the Cessna lifted off, making a steep ascent over the Williamsburg Bridge, and suddenly we were flying north, with the borough of Queens on the right, and the towers of Manhattan on the left. On a beautiful, sunny day it was a magnificent feeling. .
Tailwind’s seaplane flights are restricted to daylight hours, about 6:00 a.m to 7:00 p.m., from mid-spring to mid-fall (a longer season applies to the New York and Boston schedule). Aircraft seating is quite comfortable with four somewhat larger than expected passenger seats on each side, with plenty of leg-room and an air-vent above. Levelling off and flying at about 6,000 to 6,500-feet definitely gives you a close-up look at the terrain below.
Interior of Cessna Caravan (photo Ron Bernthal)
Because Tailwind Air uses amphibious aircraft, they can use regular airport runways as well. The company is awaiting approval for a Washington, D.C., route to begin after Labor Day. During the summer season, seaplane departures and arrivals include Manhattan, Boston Harbor, Sag Harbor, and Shelter Island. Tailwind uses ground landings and take-offs when flying in/out of East Hampton Airport, Montauk Airport, Provincetown Airport (Cape Cod), Plymouth Airport (MA) and Bridgeport (CT) Airport.
The flight from Manhattan to Boston Harbor (Fan Pier Marina and/or The Marina at Rowes Wharf) is about 60 minutes from take-off to landing, depending on weather. From New York, our aircraft flew at about 6,000-feet over the Bronx, Westchester, Long Island Sound, southern Connecticut and Massachusetts, before landing gently on the water in Boston Harbor. It was easy to spot landmarks along the way, and as someone who has driven the route many times, getting a bird’s-eye view of the natural terrain and coastal cities along the Connecticut shoreline, kept me occupied throughout the trip.
After take-off, following the East River heading north (photo Ron Bernthal)
Yes, it is somewhat noisy in the aircraft (both pilots wear headsets for their connection with aircraft control towers along the route) but not intolerable. The trade-off is few crying babies on the seaplane routes, no middle seats, and no pre-departure security check, you could probably bring a beer or two to drink along the way. All Tailwind flights depart from private facilities and are not subject to standard (TSA) commercial airport style security. Passengers are screened in advance against a national database, and may be denied boarding at crew or company discretion.
Boston Harbor in Seaport District (photo Signature Boston)
If weather in New York or Boston prevents using water landings or takeoffs, flights will use Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, or the private aviation terminal at Boston Logan. If that is the case, passengers are provided with Visa/Amex gift cards loaded with enough funds to pay for alternative ground transport at your destination. Tailwind does not offer a frequent flier program, but discounted commuter books and expanded flight options are available for frequent travelers.
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Landing in Boston Harbor (photo Alfredo Maldonado))
After a splashy landing in Boston Harbor (it felt like an enjoyable amusement park ride) the aircraft taxi’s to a floating dock just off the shoreline, where a Tailwind motorboat is waiting to shuttle passengers about five minutes to either Fan Pier Marina or the Marina at Rowes Wharf (passenger’s choice). The shuttle boat took me to Rowes Wharf, where I was staying at the Boston Harbor Hotel, one of the most convenient accommodations for Tailwind’s Boston arrivals or departures.
Tailwind Air check-in lounge at Fan Pier Marina, Boston Harbor (photo Ron Bernthal)
Although Tailwind’s Boston Harbor departure check-in lounge is located at Fan Pier Marina, and the shuttle boat for departing seaplanes leave from Fan Pier Marina, it is only a five-minute walk from Rowes Wharf. In addition, there is a water shuttle from the Logan Airport Dock to/from Rowes Wharf (10 minutes) in case Tailwind has to switch arrival/departure locations due to weather. The company is good about notifying passengers in advance about flight changes due to weather, which does not happen too often.
Boston Harbor Hotel at Rowes Wharf occupies floors 8-16 on right side of arch (photo Boston Harbor Hotel)
The 232-room Boston Harbor Hotel is located directly at The Marina on Rowes Wharf. The property is one of just a few hotels in Boston that offers a view from every room….harbor view or city view. Fresh fish and seafood is available at the on-site Rowes Wharf Sea Grille, and a spacious fitness center provides excellent equipment and an 60-foot indoor pool.
Sunrise view of The Marina at Rowes Wharf from hotel (photo Ron Bernthal)
One of the best reasons to visit the hotel during the summer is for the annual Summer in the City Entertainment Series which offers free live music Tuesdays to Thursdays, 6:00 pm -10:00 pm from early June to end-August on the Harborwalk Terrace stage, adjacent to the hotel. There is al fresco dining and a different band three nights per week, and movies at dusk on Fridays, for the entire summer season.
Summer in the City Entertainment Series (photo Ron Bernthal)
Boston’s financial district and many historic attractions are within walking distance of the property, including Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere House, Old North Church and Boston Public Market. The modern Diller + Renfro-designed Institute of Contemporary Art is located at Fan Pier Marina, and the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC) in the Seaport District is just 15-minutes walk.
Institute of Contemporary Art Boston (photo Chuck-Choi)
Exterior view, Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (photo Signature Boston)
