PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WMBB) – Those looking to make a trip to Boston, Massachusetts are in luck.
Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport celebrated its inaugural non-stop Boston flight on American Airlines on Saturday.
Saturday morning, passengers on the first-ever non-stop Boston flight to Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport were greeted with a water cannon salute on the runway.
The American Airlines flight departed from Boston Airport at 9:04 a.m. local time and arrived ahead of schedule at 11:05 a.m.
Those looking to take part in this deal will get the opportunity every Saturday beginning this month through August.
“We’re very excited to be able to offer this new route to our customers every Saturday from June through August. And it not only allows people from all over the country to come visit our beautiful area, but it also gives our citizens who live here an opportunity to easily visit other cities in the country that they love,” Chairman of Airport Authority Holly Melzer said.
The flight is completed through American Airlines.
“So Boston is just nearly 1200 miles away from us and you can do that in 3 hours. Be down here for a long weekend. What better place to be than to come and enjoy our beautiful sunshine and our white sandy beaches,” ECP Executive Director Parker McClellan said.
Those just landing from Boston Saturday morning received goodie bags.
The bags contained a postcard, stickers, and a toiletry bag.
“We’re very excited to welcome them to our airport and our city,” Melzer said.
Those getting ready to board the flight up to Boston were very excited to learn that the trip was non-stop.
One Boston native who is a frequent flyer says this is a game changer.
“It feels great. Being on a plane for four hours rather than being on a plane for ten or being in travel for ten. Is a game changer. Also, I don’t know if just because it was the first flight, it was a great price that it was beautiful, too,” Boston local Saud Bolden said.
Bolden said he plans on making the trip once a month.
A Panama City Beach local said she learned about the non-stop trip online and decided to book the flight to visit her husband’s family.
“We’ve been here 54 years in Panama City, and we’ve seen it with the growth tremendously. But I’ve never seen this airport, this busy. And I know it is because of Saturday, and people are checking in and checking out. So, it’s very nice. We’re looking forward to the flight and hope it’s a good one and that we get there safely,” resident Barbara Prentiss said.
To book a non-stop flight to Boston this summer, click here.
