Southern Airways Express, America’s fastest-growing commuter airline, has launched new service via seaplane from New York/Manhattan, N.Y. to East Hampton, Montauk, and Shelter Island, N.Y. The flights are part of a new codeshare agreement, and are operated by Tailwind Air, a veteran operator of New York-to-Hamptons shuttle service. Southern is the exclusive airline sales partner for the flights, which begin June 4.
Tailwind Air has operated seaplanes into Manhattan’s East 23rd Street Seaplane Base for six years. Southern’s codeshare flights with Tailwind Air will be on roomy and reliable Cessna Caravan amphibious seaplanes. Each flight is operated with two pilots and features seating for eight passengers.
“After operating the world’s largest fleet of passenger Caravans for many years, we have developed one of the industry’s best sales and distribution platforms,” said Stan Little, chairman and CEO of Southern Airways Corp. “Partnering our sales technology and 24-hour customer service center with Tailwind’s unsurpassed seaplane operations from Manhattan is clearly a natural fit.”
Southern’s flights on Tailwind Air are available for purchase on the airline’s website at iFlySouthern.com, as well as all major global distribution systems, such as Sabre, Priceline, and Expedia. Tickets may also be purchased by calling Southern’s 24-hour reservations line, 1-800-329-0485.
“Our clients expect a first-class experience, and that experience begins when they are searching for the best flight,” said Alan Ram, CEO of Tailwind Air. “By partnering with Southern, we can guarantee that our passengers will have a positive experience, not just in flight, but through the entire booking process.”
Tailwind Air’s flights to Manhattan complement Southern’s growing presence in the Northeastern corridor. Southern’s seasonal flights to Nantucket. Mass. are scheduled to begin July 2 and are expected to be upgraded to year-round service later this year. In addition to flights in the Northeast, Southern has operational footprints in the Gulf South, mid-Atlantic, Hawaii, and California, making it one of the largest commuter airlines in America.
