Seaplane flights from New York to Washington will be launched: discounts on tickets are offered for early booking

A new way to get around the congested southern part of the Northeast Corridor is coming soon. Tailwind Air is launching amphibious seaplane flights between New York's East River and Maryland's historic College Park Airport (CGS), reports The Point Guy.

The flights will begin on September 13 and will be operated in eight-seat Cessna Grand Caravans with floats attached. Though they won't be needed to arrive at Landlocked College Park.

Last year, Tailwind launched a service between the East River and Boston Harbor. With the new flight, Tailwind will serve the entire Northeast Corridor. It also sells one-stop through tickets between Boston and Washington, with a stop in New York.

Flights on the New York - DC route are sold at a price of $395 one way. And Tailwind is running a promotion to sell free companion tickets. Tickets purchased before September 10 for flights departing from September 31 to December 21 are eligible for a free companion ticket when using the code TWDCBOGO. Although there are some restrictions.

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The flight between New York (SkyPort marina at the east end of 23rd Street) and College Park Airport, which is a short walk from the Washington Metro Green Line and about 30 minutes from the US Capitol, will take 80 to 90 minutes. The flight will operate one to two daily round trips.

“Joining College Park in Washington DC is an exciting next chapter for us as we strive to bring the Northeast together faster,” Peter Manis, Tailwind's director of scheduled transportation, told TPG.

College Park Airport is the oldest continuously operating airport in the world. It first started functioning in 1909. Its only runway is very short - only 795 meters. And that could mean possible weight restrictions on the hottest summer days, Manis said. Although in general he is not worried about any significant operational consequences.

Manis is considering the seaplane route as an alternative to rail.

Especially the popular high-speed Acela Express from Amtrak. Most Acela trains between Pennsylvania Station in New York and Washington Union Station run just under three hours.

The airspace around the District of Columbia is heavily restricted for security reasons. And that thwarted Tailwind's original plans to land on the Potomac River. But, according to Manis, this will not cancel his latest flight plan to the suburbs of Maryland.

The operator worked with the Federal Aviation Administration and the Transportation Security Administration to obtain the necessary permits to fly in and out of College Park. Manis also added that Tailwind is not giving up on its Potomac aspirations.

“Hopefully one day we'll be in Potomac water,” he said.