The Inexplicable Flight from Lancaster, PA to Nantucket (feat. Classy Whale)

It's really unclear why this flight exists, but I'm glad it does.
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[@IanWestcott]

Looking forward to watching more of “Miles In Transit takes every Essential Air Service flight”.

[@MilesinTransit]

Surprisingly this one isn't an EAS!

[@patrickmartin3322]

I would 100% watch this series

[@lewnwdc]

Miles, TSA is only required for planes with 30+ seats I believe. There are airlines in Hawaii and Alaska that operate small planes with no security required. Rare to find that in the contiguous USA.

[@bluesideup4647]

Regulations must've changed. Tsa is now used at lancaster for SAE

[@lewnwdc]

@@bluesideup4647 Wow! Weird.

[@go4ride]

@@bluesideup4647 It depends. If you're flying into a place like Nantucket where there is no security and it's your final destination, then security is not needed, but if you're flying from, say, Lancaster to Pittsburgh, and the flight comes in to PIT behind security, then you have to be cleared out of LNS.

[@moishglukovsky]

I've flown this kind of aircraft a few times. They're great because their lower altitude lets you see so much on the ground. Great fun tracking your route from terrestrial landmarks.

[@davidbross6942]

The lower altitude also results in cancelled flights that a pressurized cabin allows the plane to fly over the weather.

[@robertmiller8336]

Many years ago... and certainly long before you were born... there was a TV program called Wings m9d 1990s. It was about a small airport in Nantucket (not to be confused with where you landed) It was run by two brothers who had a one plane airline and a small terminal, much like you arrived. Your flight reminded me of a flight from Pittsburgh to Newark NJ. the best part was we were flying about as high as you were so the scenery was wonderful.

[@IvyANguyen]

They probably were around in the 1990s but maybe not old enough to remember this show when it originally aired. The show aired from 1990 to 1997, right?

[@Acela2163]

The co-pilot holding onto the dashboard for dear life as you land really sells the experience. Also, from the midwest, so we don't have wawa, but i've been to a sheetz so they get my vote.

[@MilesinTransit]

You gotta go to Wawa if you find yourself in its admittedly limited territory!

[@user-tb7rn1il3q]

@@MilesinTransit That was the captain. The first officer was at the controls.

[@mrmaniac3]

I've flown a few small planes, all 172s I think, it was fun each time. The turbulence was pretty snappy on that tiny airframe, especially flying around the canyons and clouds east of the central valley, Northern California. I don't think I've ever landed myself, let the pilot take over each time, so I took it upon myself to try landing properly in FSX, I did pretty good if I may brag. This channel is a gem, great chemistry between host and guests, great editing. Coming from Alan Fisher's shout-out.

[@MilesinTransit]

Based on the view out the front window during our landing, it seems super difficult, so congrats on acing it in simulation form! And thank you so much for the kind words - it really means a lot, I appreciate you stopping by from Alan Fisher!

[@AA_8184_1]

What’s an odd but fascinating route! Love the collabs with Classy Whale!

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

So the Cessna 208 Caravan is actually a bit newer than you think! Cessna first started the project of building these in November 1981, and a prototype had its first flight in December 1982. It wasn't certified by the FAA until 1984! The 1,000th Caravan was delivered in 1998! Southern Airways Express is one of just three civilian operators of it in the US, as the other two are FedEx Feeder and Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines. Other civilian operators include Belize's Maya Island Air, NZ's Barrier Air, and Indonesia's Susi Air. It is also used by many government operators like the NYPD, the US Army, Iraqi Air Force, Chadian Air Force, Philippine Air Force, Brazilian Air Force, Zambian Air Force, and Paraguayan Air Force. The name Chappaquiddick comes from a Native American word "cheppiaquidne" which means "separated island", so the island got its name because of a narrow strait or gut separating it from Martha's Vineyard. It was majority Wampanoag until the nineteenth century, and they still have a reservation there!

[@williammckinney4090]

The real Nantucket airport looks like a train station; the fake one on Wings looks like a bus station.

[@WilsonCalvert]

Everyone loves a good Ned Lamont shoutout.

[@naturallyherb]

Love the Cessna Caravan! This is the aircraft type where I did my first skydive in New Zealand! Also there's the new Caravan by Thranda released on X-Plane 11, it's a really realistic representation of this aircraft on that flight simulator!

[@paulriv]

There's a seaplane that operates from Boston Harbor to the East River in Manhattan, i'm sure you guys would love that as well! and also.... #GottaHavaWawa

[@MilesinTransit]

I really want to fly that but it's ludicrously expensive...I'm not spending 400 bucks to go from Boston to New York!

[@paulriv]

Yea, what a wild market this is… a $1 Megabus as the floor, and the ceiling is a $400 novelty seaplane, and about 25 other options in between

[@ClassyWhale]

@@paulriv But how many can Miles do in one day, in ascending order of cost?

[@paulriv]

@@ClassyWhale hmm.... About half of them all leave from South Station on the Boston end, so it shouldn't be *too* hard!

[@davidwolfhudson]

Did you notice that the seats on the C208 Grand Caravan look like the bench seats on an old Dodge Grand Caravan? Coincidence, I think not.

[@Mountainpeakprophet]

As a Boston resident from Lancaster, I appreciate this.

[@DuluthTW]

OMG, this video reminds me of the old (early 1990's) TV series Wings, starring Tim Daly and Steven Weber. I was very disappointed to see that the real Nantucket terminal didn't have a lunch counter staffed by Crystal Bernard. My whole fantasy about Nantucket has been shattered. Thanks to you, Miles. I really hoped there was a smarmy wise older woman named Faye somewhere out there that would denegrate my existence and give me valid life advice in a single brief interaction. Thanks for sharing!

[@stevedunham8241]

Until I saw this video I didn't know that Lancaster had an airport. I've been to Lancaster a few times (going again next week), almost always by train. Out of curiosity I looked on the airport website for the flights to Washington, DC, and even though National Airport was listed, I didn't see anything actually scheduled. I didn't think to look for Dulles. Since I would have to take a bus, the Metro, and another bus to reach Dulles, and Dulles might have actual security, I think Amtrak from Alexandria, VA, to Lancaster would be faster, though the flight would be interesting. But next week we'll be in a hurry.

[@johnchambers8528]

Hi guys, another nice video adventure. You sure do find interesting ways to get around. As to convince stores I live in Delaware County so I am in the heart of Wa Wa country. However as a state employee I have traveled to most areas in our state and feel WA Wa and Sheets are about the same in terms of service and variety of food and drinks. Of course the further west you go in PA the more you see Sheets stores. Also don’t forget in the Lancaster area there are plenty of Turkey Hill stores which are also nice. As for flying, I have never ridden in a small plane like that .but in the past have flown in several turbo prop planes between smaller cities in the mid west. One thing I do like about flying in the smaller prop planes is they tend to fly at lower altitudes so as you showed you can see the country side where you are flying. Of course as you noted you are also at greater risk of going through turbulence due to local weather conditions. One thing I noticed that while you were landing one of the crew was holding on to the front of the plane like he expected it to be a rough landing. Keep finding these interesting and different ways to get places.

[@saxmanb777]

Ear plugs or noise canceling headphones are a must on these flights.

[@dennisc2181]

Southern airways express seems to operate EAS flights out of Lancaster but also 'regular flights' from Nantucket. Maybe this is just a repositioning flight that they happen to sell tickets for?

[@MilesinTransit]

I don't think so, because the plane does a Saturday round trip! Unless it's two different planes I guess, but it's a weekly flight that's scheduled perfectly to be a one-plane round trip from LNC.

[@dennisc2181]

@@MilesinTransit Huh, that is indeed very weird. Yes, almost certainly same airplane. I initially had assumed that this was an EAS flight in the first place, but not that either. If its not subsidized, How do they possibly make money doing this?

[@moishglukovsky]

Could be that Nantucket cannot be considered an EAS destination; the demographic there would suggest that it's not a population lacking in resources for travel.

[@stanislavkostarnov2157]

@@MilesinTransit maybe a crew repositioning flight? I am guessing very few pilots actually live on Nantucket

[@kennymackie4518]

Thank you, for the price, I was wondering!

[@BigKy-Mart]

As someone whose family hails from Nantucket... thanks for visiting via Lancaster, Pennsylvania I guess? LOL Why does this flight exist?!

[@Rickyrab]

An Amish person was interested in dirty limericks?

[@suzfindsnyapts]

Another really fun and unique video. I loved all the places you can see.

[@MilesinTransit]

Thank you!

[@rljets_83]

It is/was a repositioning flight to cycle aircraft for maintenance. Sadly they ended their Nantucket operation 😩

[@AlexLawngtv]

Miles, you make me braver to take more public transit. I've enjoyed these videos so much. Thank you!

[@MilesinTransit]

Thank you! I'm so glad you're taking more public transit!

[@subparnaturedocumentary]

lancaster pa is still one of my favorite cities, although unfairly i do have multiple relatives living there

[@damiancooper3063]

Going a weird way to go back to Boston and he made the buses free again.

[@ClassyWhale]

I actually took advantage of this for my channel...

[@joemckim1183]

This video reminds me of the airlines flying in and out of Nantucket in the TV show Wings.

[@billdanbury]

7:14 “Down there is Westerly, which means that on the other side of the plane we have Easterly.” *cue SpongeBob splat noise*

[@alanthefisher]

Wawa obviously

[@MilesinTransit]

Correct answer!

[@foreverbrod]

Miles, you should do a video this summer rating every way to get to the islands. (SSA, Island Queen, HyLine, Seastreak, and the other 10 water taxis and airlines or "The Great Race to Martha's Vineyard" since there is like 20 different ways lol.

[@MilesinTransit]

That's an interesting idea, maybe similar to the Hyannis video I did - in a Great Race, I imagine the flights would win handily!

[@connecticutmultimodaltrans8226]

Wow this was iconic! I can't believe there wasn't any security!

[@ClassyWhale]

We never really did figure out why this flight exists, did we?

[@MilesinTransit]

Nope...I guess the other four people on the flight were thankful for its existence!

[@daveporter0217]

@@MilesinTransit Lancaster is one of my favorite places to visit! I'm equally puzzled why a commuter EAS-friendly airline would undertake such a route.

[@judgesaturn507]

I once knew a man from Nantucket

[@ohutchie]

I have my private/instrument pilot's license and I've taken a Southern Airways flight from Nantucket to Bedford, MA, it really is the closest thing you can experience to flying in your own private propeller plane. I did my training in Massachusetts but I live in Indiana now and I miss the gorgeous views from the air (and although the MBTA is going through a rough patch, it's miles better than anything here)

[@davidwolfhudson]

Wawa all day long. I have a special place in my heart for Sheetz, having worked there in uni, but their food is so damned dry.

[@DeanCovert]

Hy-Line review next? I've only ever been on Steamship, the high speeds are probably pretty similar though...

[@MilesinTransit]

Yeah, they're pretty similar, I've been on both! No video review for it, but I did enjoy the trip, for what it's worth.

[@go4ride]

This flight exists because Southern Airways Express has a maintenance facility in Lancaster and this flight is how the airline connects its New England and mi-Atlantic operations.

[@MilesinTransit]

Why did it run all year when the New England division was seasonal, though?

[@go4ride]

@@MilesinTransit I don't know. They may have had planes in New England for charter service. The video is a couple of years old. You can tell by the masking.

[@MilesinTransit]

@@go4ride I mean, I can tell it was a few years ago because I was there! But yeah, the flight doesn't exist anymore, alas, and weirdly their website makes no reference to a New England network period anymore.

[@Spaceshotx7]

when your on a tiny plane, there doesn't seem to be any flight attendants or air marshals, just the pilot and co-pilot.

[@jeremyzorek]

I'm a die hard Wawa guy

[@youjustgotcarled]

The 1st time I flew commercial there was no security just like this flight, it was bizarre

[@AA_8184_1]

Both are great but definitely Wawa! :)

[@MilesinTransit]

Correct answer!

[@AA_8184_1]

@@MilesinTransit Without a doubt! :)

[@estiefranks6468]

This was great. What an option, and the price is reasonable.

[@mattthelombax]

I haven't got either of those up here but because it's on my Pennsylvania Secret Service ID Card, Wawa.

[@andrewauto6082]

I absolutely love your channel

[@MilesinTransit]

Thank you so much!

[@TBTboston]

Caleb going from i want to stay here longer to lets get out of here lol

[@kennymackie4518]

Crop duster with one engine!

[@RoadCone411]

You definitely feel bumps and the motion of the aircraft much more on a smaller plane...a larger plane like a B747 or B777 will sort of smooth out most bumps, whereas you're going to be tossed around on a little Cessna Caravan. However, the view cannot be beat! Sure there is no moving map display but for anybody with a good sense of geography, part of the fun is figuring out where you are flying over!

[@PabloBD]

so classy

[@JohnR-wf2hh]

How much earlier did you have to arrive at the airport for this flight? You are inspiring me to take a wacky weekend trip.

[@MilesinTransit]

We showed up probably a little over an hour before, but most people arrived later - maybe half an hour before the flight.

[@Spaceshotx7]

Also, on these planes, your probably not allowed to get up and move about the plane at anytime during the flight I assume.

[@quayzar1]

Wawa not just for the food but for the aesthetics.

[@wickedwritah]

Did anyone explain why this flight exists? Does the airline owner live on Nantucket? I saw it on a schedule a while back and was wondering “who would fly that?”

[@MilesinTransit]

Not sure! I think Caleb asked them and they said something like "It was by request from the community", which is really vague. Which community even??

[@davidsp5936]

Planning on doing anything for NJT being free at the end of the month?

[@MilesinTransit]

Perhaps!

[@davidsp5936]

@@MilesinTransit I was thinking of just going, myself. But, I'd be glad to join you!

[@Reubensrails]

Oh no. More plane content

[@Reubensrails]

Nevermind that was entertaining for plane content

[@MilesinTransit]

Haha, I wouldn't do plane content unless it was something crazy like this! (Or if it was a plane leading to an adventure somewhere else, I suppose)

[@endlessmtnman]

Has this flight ended since? Just curious.

[@MilesinTransit]

Shoot, it looks like they might've gotten rid of it! I'm not surprised, but that is sad.

[@endlessmtnman]

@@MilesinTransit Thanks! I figured as much since many other small airports around PA had ended similar services. :(

[@littleferrhis]

I’m a flight instructor. If you think this is small got a few hundred bucks I will totally take you for a trip somewhere in the smaller version of this plane, the Cessna 172

[@streamlinedtransit]

I almost took this flight….the I watched this video and just flew from Reagan.

[@gchsbus]

HAHA! You KNOW you are a fan of this channel when they mention Ned Lamont and you are in on the joke.

[@hugoboyce9648]

This is soo inefficient. But very cool nonetheless!

[@bubbaho-tep2059]

Wawa. No contest.

[@ilikedoom2707]

Quickcheck

[@tux0beliver]

Sheetz has the best drunk food ngl

[@michaelbruchas6663]

You guys are lucky no sky marshals were on that flight…

[@Thebanjoseph2]

Berkshire flyer video this summer?

[@MilesinTransit]

Possibly! I won't be able to make the first day of service though, sadly.

[@Thebanjoseph2]

@@MilesinTransit To be fair it doesn't have the best frequency

[@lewnwdc]

What you didn't explain as this video begins is what you were doing in Lancaster 🤔

[@Andrew_G4CH]

Sheetz!! :D

[@quinnstile5150]

SHEETZ

[@justinroig5858]

2:53 Foreshadowing

[@EmperorMaglev]

#GottaHavaWawa

[@ctk7790]

Wawa, until you get to Harrisburg where they do not exist so then its Sheetz by default.

[@MilesinTransit]

"Desperate times, desperate measures"

[@ClassyWhale]

But why would anyone willingly get to Harrisburg?

[@ctk7790]

@@ClassyWhale You've been to MIddletown PA, you understand.

[@ClassyWhale]

@@ctk7790 I did actually get Sheetz after I shot that one

[@trainrover]

yet those mere splash guards w e r e your shrunken barf bags

[@adriafitzy6459]

Wawa? Nice, but meh. Sheetz? Absolutely not. Rutters? Why go anywhere else? (seriously- their hotdogs are good but a lot more consistent than Wawa)

[@JacksonBetz]

0:04 LANCASTER!! (pause) PENNSYLVANIA!!

[@JacksonBetz]

1:06 we stan these obscure, impossibly provincial destination signs like LITITZ

[@JacksonBetz]

1:44 Neither Wawa nor Sheetz, but the corner store where we got a handful of batteries for $2.25 that has a sandwich counter in the back

[@JacksonBetz]

2:18 that logo looks like it tried to achieve the utter iconicism (is that a word?) of the SEPTA logo but ended up looking like one of those 1-foot-tall chairs we all had to sit on at preschool

[@ClassyWhale]

@@JacksonBetz that last comment is so oddly specific and I love it

[@JacksonBetz]

2:42 those are CLEARLY urinals

[@davetissue]

this is the minibus of planes

[@MilesinTransit]

Hahaha, it really is!

[@newman777able]

Sheets

[@spider_hoss]

The Wawa vs. Sheetz war? Here? I'm a neutral.

[@Annalalalandabanama18864]

not the poparazzi

[@Token_Nerd]

Flying J

[@MilesinTransit]

Love's Travel Stop

[@Token_Nerd]

@@MilesinTransit That's just a knock off B-52s reference. The J is where it will always be.

[@Matt-mo8sl]

Amatures

[@MilesinTransit]

Amateurs*