- Slate Aviation, a semi-private airline operator, has introduced a new summer service connecting West Palm Beach to Nantucket.
- The flights include spacious business class seats, food from Michelin-starred chefs, and no TSA lines.
- Seats are available for as little as $695 each.
Flying private from Palm Beach has always been available to those of certain means—I get to watch Air Force One and Elon Musk’s jet fly over my head on a weekly basis—but now, thanks to a new partnership between XO and West Palm Beach–based Slate AviationThe other 99.9 per cent will have more access to it.
Slate Aviation offers a shared private shuttle service between April 26 and September 30. Nantucket From Palm Beach International Airport, (PBI), and Fort Lauderdale International Airport, (FLL), you can take the (ACK) bus.
The new Nantucket shuttle service is a continuation of the existing shuttle services between South Florida, New York and Westchester County Airport.
The best part is? These semi-private luxury flights can be booked by seat, rather than chartering an entire aircraft. So instead of a price in the mid five-figures, you can hop aboard for fares starting at $695 per seat—and you can book it all from an easy-to-use app.
I was so excited about the possibility that I grabbed a spot on a swanky Bombardier CRJ 200 during the first weekend of flights between South Florida to Nantucket. After experiencing travel with Slate, I can confirm that the term “shuttle service” does not do this service justice.
These flights are the height of luxury with only 18 seats in business class (all oversized); free Wi-Fi and catering by my favorite local five-star restaurant, BuccanA basket of snacks to rival any commercial airline’s offerings.
There are no TSA queues or frustrations with boarding. The only thing you have to do is walk from a lounge in a private terminal into the plane. Your captain will then give you the safety briefing, and two smiling flight attendants take your drink order.
Maybe even ahead of schedule: an unexpected perk of flying semi-private is that your flight can depart early if all the passengers are present, giving you more time to soak up a Nantucket afternoon—even if that afternoon is a dreary introduction to the island’s nickname, The Gray Lady. My flight coincided with Nantucket’s annual Gray Lady Festival. Daffodil FestivalThe sea of locals in cheery colors, “Happy Daffy!” “Greetings” and the millions of yellow daffys in full flower brightened our days, despite a cold, rainy spring.
We only had 24 hour to explore Nantucket on our first visit. But, since it’s only 7 by 14 miles in size, we were able to cover the major highlights. We stayed at The BrantGrabbed ice cream from the shop and walked over to Brant Point Lighthouse. The Juice BarA bite of. Straight Wharf Fish.
The two islands will see each other more this summer, as only three (pampered!) hour separate the tropical Palm Beach island from the flower-filled, Northeastern daydream of Nantucket.
Slate Aviation will fly between South Florida, Nantucket and Florida five days a week from June 1 to September 30. Visit to learn more about the app, book a flight, or download it. flyslate.com.
