Slate Aviation Launched Flights Between Florida and Nantucket

Flying non-public from Palm Seaside has at all times been obtainable to these of sure means—I get to observe Air Drive One and Elon Musk’s jet fly over my head on a weekly foundation—however now, due to a brand new partnership between XO and West Palm Seaside–based mostly Slate Aviation, it’s turning into extra accessible to the opposite 99.9 %.

From April 26 by Sept. 30, Slate Aviation will run shared non-public shuttle service to Nantucket (ACK) from Palm Seaside Worldwide Airport (PBI) and Fort Lauderdale Worldwide Airport (FLL).

The brand new Nantucket service builds upon current shuttle operations between South Florida and New York, together with Westchester County Airport and different member-only terminals.

The very best half? You’ll be able to ebook these luxurious semi-private flights by the seat reasonably than chartering a full plane. So as an alternative of a value within the mid five-figures, you possibly can hop aboard for fares beginning at $695 per seat—and you may ebook all of it from an easy-to-use app.

I used to be so stoked on the prospect that I grabbed a seat on a snazzy Bombardier CRJ-200 through the inaugural weekend of flights between South Florida and Nantucket. And after experiencing journey the Slate method, I can verify the time period “shuttle” doesn’t fairly do justice to this service.

The flights are the epitome of luxurious, with simply 18 outsized seats (all enterprise class); free Wi-Fi; catering by my favourite native five-star restaurant, Buccan; and a basket of snacks that places all business airways’ choices to disgrace.

There’s no TSA strains or boarding aggravation. There’s only a temporary stroll from the lounge of a personal terminal onto the aircraft, a security briefing by your captain, drink orders taken by two smiling flight attendants, and then you definately’re airborne.

Possibly even forward of schedule: an sudden perk of flying semi-private is that your flight can depart early if all of the passengers are current, supplying you with extra time to take in a Nantucket afternoon—even when that afternoon is a dreary introduction to the island’s nickname, The Grey Girl. (Fortunately, my flight coincided with the island’s annual Daffodil Pageant, so the ocean of locals in cheery hues, “Completely happy Daffy!” greetings, and tens of millions of yellow daffodils in full bloom brightened our days regardless of the chilly, moist spring climate.)

I introduced a girlfriend alongside and solely had 24 hours to discover on this first-time go to to Nantucket, however because the island is barely seven by 14 miles, that’s sufficient time to hit the highlights. We stayed at The Brant, popped in to see the enduring 26-foot-tall Brant Level Lighthouse, grabbed ice cream scoops from The Juice Bar, and a chunk from Straight Wharf Fish.

Now, with solely three (pampered) hours separating tropical Palm Seaside from the Northeastern flower-filled daydream that’s Nantucket, I’ve a sense the 2 islands can be seeing much more of one another this summer time.

Slate Aviation flights between South Florida and Nantucket will happen two days per week by Could 31, then 5 days per week June 1 by Sept. 30. To ebook, obtain the app, or to study extra, go to flyslate.com.