Cape Air made an announcement this week that was overshadowed by headlines about JetBlue and United’s new partnership. But for Northeast travelers, it’s a big deal.
The Hyannis-based commuter airline unveiled three new routes that will improve regional connectivity across New England. Enhancing regional access is something major airlines often overlook or simply can’t afford to focus on. That leaves smaller commuter airlines like Cape Air to fill in the gaps.
Cape Air’s New Routes
According to their announcement, Cape Air is adding the following flights to its network:
- Long Island (ISP) → Boston (BOS) — Starts July 3, 2025, flown 4x weekly
- Norwood (OWD) → Martha’s Vineyard (MVY) & Nantucket (ACK) — Starts July 3, 2025
- New Bedford (EWB) → Boston (BOS) — Starts September 29, 2025, flown twice daily
Aaron Blinka, Cape Air’s VP of Planning, called it “thoughtful, strategic growth—connecting more communities with smarter, more convenient travel options.”
And that’s exactly what these are. These aren’t glamour routes. They’re problem solvers. Solving problems is where the value lies.
Fixing a Real Travel Challenge in the Northeast
Getting to Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket during the summer is notoriously frustrating. Ferries book up fast, traffic is brutal, and the journey just to the dock can take hours.
Cape Air’s new service out of New Bedford offers a much smarter alternative. It skips the ferry, avoids Logan’s long TSA lines, and turns an all-day trip into a short flight.
The same logic applies to the Long Island–Boston route. While geographically close, driving between the two can take hours due to bottlenecks. JetBlue spotted this issue and briefly scheduled a route from Long Island MacArthur Airport earlier this year. They canceled days before the inaugural flight. Cape Air now steps in to capture that unmet demand.
Why It Works
For major airlines, routes like these are difficult to sustain. They rely heavily on regional partners and often cut short-haul service due to profitability concerns. JetBlue, for instance, has pulled back from seasonal flights to Martha’s Vineyard over the past two years.
But these short hops are exactly where Cape Air thrives. With smaller aircraft and lower overhead, they don’t need large passenger volumes. Just steady, predictable demand. And that’s precisely what exists in these underserved New England markets.
Final Thoughts
Cape Air may be small, but it’s playing a smart game. Stepping into markets the majors overlook and delivering real value to travelers who need convenience over scale.
With economic uncertainty and travelers more likely to stay closer to home this summer, Cape Air’s expansion puts them in a strong position to meet that demand.
Whether it’s a weekend trip to the islands or avoiding a long drive to Boston, these new routes give Northeast travelers better options.
Well played, Cape Air.
