A multi-engine, instrument rated pilot, James Wynbrandt has been an AIN and Business Jet Traveler contributor since 2003. His in-depth reporting and insightful features have won more than a dozen editorial honors, including two National Business Aviation Association Gold Wing Awards (2019; 2021), and his articles have also appeared in the New York Times, Barron’s, Fortune, Forbes, and Smithsonian Air &amp; Space. He has flown his Mooney M20K 252 on assignments throughout North and Central America and the Caribbean. Wynbrandt is also the author of Flying High (Wiley &amp; Sons), a biography of Jet Blue founder David Neeleman, as well as histories, references works, and books on a variety of other topics from major publishers. He lives in New York City.

Contributor - Business Aviation

Cessna 208 Caravan and 208B Grand Caravan

James Wynbrandt

Tailwind Air announced a forthcoming seaplane service between Manhattan and the Washington D.C. area using Cessna Grand Caravan turboprops that, at 80 to 90 minutes each way, reduces total travel time&nbsp;between the city pairs by up to 60 percent, according to the company.

 


The time savings, “paired with the unforgettable views, make this a compelling experience," said&nbsp;Tailwind Air co-founder Peter Manice, noting&nbsp;that airline shuttle service between New York and D.C. takes an hour and 20 minutes, in addition to time&nbsp;dealing with airport congestion. Amtrak's&nbsp;Acela train takes three&nbsp;hours and 50 minutes.

 


With service commencing on September 13, fares for the flights linking Manhattan’s SkyPort Marina on East 23rd Street and College Park Airport, 25 minutes from the Capital, start at $395 one way. Tailwind’s amphibious float-equipped Caravans&nbsp;are fitted with eight leather seats and air-conditioning and will be operated by two-pilot crews.

 


After introducing what it claims is the first seaplane service between the Big Apple and Boston Harbor earlier this summer, with DC&nbsp;added, Manhattan-based Tailwind Air will now serve nine destinations, including East Hampton, Sag Harbor, Montauk, Provincetown, and Shelter Island.

 


In addition to seaplanes, Tailwind Air operates a fleet of more than 20 jet and turboprop aircraft based in the New York Metro area.

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In this article

Cessna 208 Caravan and 208B Grand Caravan

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