Jaunted - Tag: SWF

Newburgh: Stewart Int'l Ain't Got a Thing to Prove to You

pbb — 2008-06-17T17:45:01-05:00

As Chicago O'Hare tries to expand, another airport is clinging to life. Stewart International in Newburgh, New York was looking good at the beginning of this year, with new Skybus service and a $500 million investment plan from the Port Authority that had recently taken it over. (The agency envisioned it as the New York area's potential fourth major airport.)

Now, just months after the Skybus meltdown, AirTran says it will pull out of the airport on September 3. As carriers abandon Stewart and carriers across the country cut back, though, the Port Authority is moving ahead with its plans:

"We know that this is a remarkably resilient industry. Stewart is key for us for providing greater capacity for the region," says spokesman Pasquale DiFulco. "And we remain committed."

Even Congress is getting involved: Rep. John Hall penned a note to AirTran, asking the carrier to stay at Stewart. No telling if that'll work, but he might want to ready more letters: Delta, Northwest and US Airways all serve SWF.

Related Stories:
· Hall Urges AirTran to Stay [Hudson Valley Press]
· Despite Loss of Carriers, Growth [AP, via Newsday]
· AirTran coverage [Jaunted]
· SWF coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: theogeo]

Skybus "New York" Getting a Bit Closer to Actual New York

benh — 2008-02-11T09:10:01-05:00

Flying to "New York" with Skybus still lands you a good 70 miles outside Manhattan. But a new bus service is aiming to make cheap weekend jaunts to the city a little easier.

For once it looks like a transportation authority is being proactive. With new Skybus flights to Stewart International from North Carolina's Piedmont Triad starting this month, the airport is preparing itself for higher volume traffic. The DOT is firing up weekend bus service from the terminal to Beacon Station, where travelers can easily hop a train to Grand Central.

And there may be incentives to taking the DOT's route, as there's some talk about a "uni-ticket" in the future that would roll plane, bus and train all into one fare. We're not too confident about that actually happening, but who knows? Until it does, here's the best way to fly Skybus to NYC.

Related Stories:
· NYC Trip Easier for Skybus Fliers [News-Record]
· How Much Is a Trip to Skybus New York [Jaunted]
· Skybus coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Alan Cordova]

Hunter: Easy-to-Reach Skiing: Hunter Mountain

pbb — 2007-12-12T16:00:01-05:00

We really like skiing and boarding. But that doesn't mean we want to spend our whole vacation just getting to the mountain. Our Ski Areas Near Airports Map will help you maximize your time on the slopes.

Digging around the web while working on a Skybus story, we realized that while Stewart International Airport in Newburgh is about halfway between New York City and Catskill Park. That means if you fly into SWF, it's just as easy to drive to Hunter Mountain as it is to go south into the city.

True, Hunter is known more for its snowmaking than its snow, but it offers 1,600 vertical feet along with a good mix of beginner, intermediate and advanced terrain. And the resort has teamed up with nearby Windham Mountain to offer a great lift ticket discount. The Winter Card gets you two days of skiing or riding at each resort for $119--a considerable savings over Hunter's one-day ticket price of $59.

We're also going to drop Hunter Mountain on our Upstate New York Travel Map, so if you're looking for something to do near SWF besides ski, you'll find it there.

Related Stories:
· Hunter Mountain [Official Site]
· Skiing coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: jps246]

NY: How Much is a Trip to Skybus New York?

markj — 2007-11-02T12:09:04-05:00

Skybus, the airline that just can't resist drawing larger and larger concentric circles around urban areas, is now claiming service to New York City, via Stewart International in Newburgh, some 79 miles north of Manhattan.

Instead of fighting the 'bus we figure we will play their game. Say you are from Greensboro North Carolina (work with us here) and you are planning to take a trip to NYC on Skybus next spring -- yes with the greyhound of the sky you need to plan well in advance -- what will you pay?

After the jump, we price test Skybus's New York option.

Skybus: Now Selling $10 Flights to "New York"

pbb — 2007-11-01T14:03:28-05:00

Starting January 6, you'll be able to fly Skybus from Columbus to New York on the ultra-low cost carrier. Two flights a day will also serve Skybus' focus city of Greensboro beginning February 25.

Of course, the airline won't be flying to New York City. We're talking New York Stewart International, 79 miles north of the Gran Manzana. (For some reason, Skybus says SWF is only 55 miles north of Manhattan.) If Google Maps is to be trusted, the drive could take you more than two hours in traffic.

Skybus' service from Columbus is starting--probably not coincidentally--the same day that JetBlue wraps operations at the airport. But JetBlue flew from CMH to JFK, which despite being in NYC was a long way from Manhattan. Will flyers be willing to drive two-and-a-half hours just to save some scratch on plane tickets? We'll see.