5 Takeaways From Cape Air’s First New Bedford-to-Boston Flight

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — Cape Air has officially taken off with a brand-new route, connecting New Bedford and Boston with daily nonstop flights — and we were on board the very first trip in both directions.

Cape Air’s First Boston Flight From New Bedford Takes Off

The new route launched today, with the first flight from New Bedford Regional Airport to Logan International in Boston leaving at precisely 8:15 a.m. Dignitaries such as Mayor Jon Mitchell, Airport Director Scot Servis, members of the state legislature, city councilors and other invited guests held a ceremony beforehand, then headed to the observation deck to wish the plane bon voyage.

The plane seats up to nine passengers in addition to the pilot, and we had a smaller group for the first flight – myself, my co-worker Kristen Pacheco, City Councilor at Large Ian Abreu, Ward 3 Councilor Shawn Oliver, and New Bedford Cable Network videographer Augusto Freitas, along with our pilot, Captain Andrew Fidanza.

As we began to taxi down the runway, the plane was sprayed by a water spout from a fire department tanker truck – the airplane equivalent of smashing a bottle of champagne against a ship before its maiden voyage.

After a quick flight to Boston, we spent a relaxing morning inside Logan. Kristen and I visited the Cisco Brewers location inside the airport for some breakfast, then grabbed some coffees at Dunkin’ before settling in at the gate for our return flight to get some work done.

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While most people will utilize this new service to get to Boston to catch a flight to another destination, this was technically a “work day” for us, so we were going to take the first flight back to New Bedford. Before we knew it, it was time to board the 1 p.m. flight back to the Whaling City, and we were home in time for Kristen to get the kids off the school bus.

immediately that we’ve gone ahead and scouted out the New Bedford to Boston route for you, here are five things we learned about Cape Air’s new service.

It’s the Smoothest Flight You’ll Ever Take

I’ve never flown on a plane that small before, and I had always assumed it would be a bumpier ride. However, it couldn’t have been any smoother. I am sure that was helped by the gorgeous weather on Monday, as well as the expert flying of Captain Andy. Everyone onboard remarked at how we barely felt the plane land both in Boston and in New Bedford. If you’re nervous about flying in a small plane, don’t be. Plus, the entire flight is only 35 minutes gate-to-gate, so you’re actually only up in the air for about 15-20 minutes total.

It Was Like Taking an Aerial Tour of Southeastern Massachusetts

The coolest part about these Cape Air planes is that every seat is a window seat, so you have a virtually 360-degree view of everything. Not to mention, the plane flies an altitude that still allows you to make out all of the landmarks below. Some of the sights we saw included Great Quittacas Pond, the Blue Hills (which looked surprisingly less “hilly” from above), the South Shore Plaza shopping mall, and we were even low enough to make out the IKEA sign on the Stoughton store.

There’s no WiFi on this short flight, so you’ll have to keep your phone in airplane mode the entire time, but keep it handy anyway so you can capture as many photos as possible – especially if you’re flying during peak foliage season.

It’s Like Having Your Own Private Plane (and You Get to Walk on the Tarmac)

Ever wondered what it was like to be a celebrity and fly on your own private plane? This felt pretty close. First, we were escorted from the TSA screening area in New Bedford to our plane. Then, when we arrived in Boston, we got to exit the plane directly onto the tarmac and were escorted again to our gate.

On the return trip, we were once again led to our plane, walking past larger craft from Jet Blue and Spirit Airlines. When do you ever get to walk on the tarmac at Logan? You will when you fly Cape Air to Boston.

You Can Be in Boston By Plane Before You’d Get to Taunton By Car

It honestly took me longer to get my belt on and off than it took me to complete the TSA screening in New Bedford. With a new state-of-the-art screening machine that allows you to hang on to your luggage until you get to the plane, you don’t need to worry about the long lines for TSA screening at Logan (or arriving two hours in advance of your flight). Since you’re already checked, you can just relax once you get there.

As mentioned, it’s a 35-minute trip gate-to-gate, with about 15 minutes of it just flying over all the traffic and roadwork below. We saw gridlocked roads below us and realized there were people down there taking taxis and Ubers that probably paid just as much as this flight ($99 each way, although starting with an introductory rate of $79) if not more to get from the SouthCoast to Logan. Bonus: no need for awkward conversation with the driver, either.

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Plus, it’s only $10 a day to park your car at the New Bedford Regional Airport, as opposed to $50-$60 per day in the economy garage at Logan, and more in other garages. Sure, you could ask a friend or relative to drive you to the airport, but do you really want to owe them a return favor?

Oh, and for those who need their caffeine fix, there was a Dunkin’ right at our gate when we arrived in Boston. Talk about convenience!

These Planes Have a Surprising Amount of Room for Luggage

I traveled today with only a backpack to carry my laptop, and Kristen had a handbag. They were both stowed away in a compartment inside the wing of our plane.

We later asked New Bedford Assistant Airport Manager Michael Crane what happens if someone has larger suitcases or more luggage than can fit in that compartment, and he told us that the nose of the plane opens up with a spacious cargo area that can accommodate luggage of all sizes.

There’s also an additional compartment behind the seats in the plane that can hold even more. If necessary, they can even send your luggage on a later flight and still have it get to your destination, although Mike said they rarely have to do that.