Trip Report | Nashville to Pensacola with Boutique Air

After nearly eight months, I finally got to fly on a Boutique Air Pilatus PC-12 again. This trip I went from Nashville, Tenn. to Pensacola, Fla. with a short 30min pit stop in Muscle Shoals, Ala.
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As always, flying on Boutique is a blast and this trip has to be one of the more memorable ones. This is contributed to the remarks and words from my fellow passengers (which you will hear in the video) and the overall casual nature of the flight. due to the casual nature of the flight, it didn't feel like a flight with strangers, and felt more like I was taking a flight with friends.

[@justinidle5721]

Very unique flight and thanks for sharing! I'm very surprised to see Boutique operating this flight single pilot. I know the PC-12 is single pilot operated but seems odd to see them do that on a 121 flight. Did anyone get off or on in MSL?

[@GerardiAviation]

Thanks! I pride myself on flying the unique route. Usually Boutique flights are dual pilot, but when operations call for it they allow single pilot so they don’t have to cancel or delay flights. Nope! Nobody got off in Muscle Shoals, everyone (all 4) continued onto Pensacola

[@justinidle5721]

@@GerardiAviation Wow. Guess that government subsidy for MSL is really paying off. I laughed and rolled my eyes at some of the comments from your fellow passengers. I'm sure that turbulence was no fun but at the same time those women were very expressive!

[@GerardiAviation]

@@justinidle5721 It interesting because MSL-BNA isn't subsidized but MSL-PNS is. So the money from the passengers going BNA all the way to PNS must be enough to keep BNA service running. I do like turbulence, but like you said, the comments of the other passengers pretty much explains how first timers feel on small planes... plus it was fun listening to them

[@lukecole6203]

@VeteranPilot Just got my cfi, would you recommend working for them until ATP mins? Looks like fun

[@lukecole6203]

@VeteranPilot really that bad huh?

[@marktaylor8263]

There must have been a fair amount of gusts & wind when you guys departed Nashville. Other wise a great flight, landings looked good. BOUTIQUE AIR is great.

[@GerardiAviation]

Yes, there was a bunch of wind that day in Nashville. And yes, Boutique is great!

[@frankiedee3122]

I love this! my goal is to join Boutique.

[@cave0770]

Now from muscle shoals they go to Atlanta instead of Nashville I think

[@GerardiAviation]

At the time I did this trip, they had BNA, PNS, and ATL all twice a day each. Now it’s just ATL and PNS

[@cave0770]

@@GerardiAviation yeah, that is quite sad, I live near Pensacola so hopefully I will be on this plane one of the upcoming years

[@GerardiAviation]

@@cave0770 eh, I don’t know about that. BTQ isn’t going great, and the town of Muscle Shoals recommended Contour Air with Charlotte service for the next EAS contract

[@torrencesanders3]

I don't know why but I find there advertisements hard to believe. I used Boutique Air and it was a horrible experience. I was delayed for 4 hours because they ran out fuel. The planes are in terrible condition and outdated. Don't ever ever ever fly through them. Worst than Spirit!!!

[@GerardiAviation]

I’ve flown BTQ tons of times and have never had problems beyond some weather delays (which they can’t control), but on the other end of the spectrum I’ve never had a good experience with American and they seem to mess it up every time. Everyone has their own experience with each airline, it’s just a matter of perspective 🙂✈️

[@CRIV2012]

Is this the first time these people fly?

[@GerardiAviation]

It felt like it might’ve been 😅

[@jodydorsett8726]

I try to fly with them. I bring s small, light blanket. Literally within minutes of take off until we desnd I'm asleep. Great seats.

[@GerardiAviation]

Yeah, unfortunately they have lost most of their routes since this video was posted. They only fly 5 routes now