Fly 'Virgin America' from Worcester -- sort of
Every traveler I know here can't wait for the arrival of Virgin America.
Why? To begin with, it's a discount carrier with very competitive fares, but it's also cool: leather seats, free satellite TV, on-demand movies, streaming radio and a selection of MP3 tunes, power plugs for your laptop and soon,on-board Internet.
Virgin America plans to move into the Boston market in the future. But what if I told you that you could effectively fly the airline to Florida now?
Starting Nov. 22, Direct Air, based in Myrtle Beach, S.C., will begin flying three times weekly from Worcester Regional to Fort Myers/Punta Gorda and to Orlando/Sanford. This is the interesting part: Direct Air, which is essentially a charter company, is leasing Virgin planes and crew for at least the next two years for this service. So, basically, you get all the Virgin toys.
What about the discount part? Direct's fares are competitive: They start at $99 each way and are nonstop. Just as a comparison, I booked a hypothetical round-trip from Worcester to Punta Gorda departing Feb. 1 and returning Feb. 8 (these guys fly into and out of Worcester only Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays) and got a rate of $267, including tax and fees. I then got on Kayak and the best I could do nonstop was $319 on JetBlue and with one stop $250 from Continental -- both were Boston-Fort Myers.
OK, so what is the downside? First, you will be flying from Worcester, which hasn't had regular service since Allegiant pulled out in 2006, and into secondary cities. But if you already live in the western suburbs, going to Worcester and skirting the traffic and hassle of Logan is worth it -- particularly with the Virgin amenities. (Never mind parking fees: At Logan, a week in the economy lot will set you back $108; at Worcester you park in front of the terminal for $42.)
Direct CEO Judy Tull said that the flights are envisioned as year-round but the carrier would make adjustments after they get a better fix on the strength of the Worcester market. She said that most likely Orlando/Sanford would not change but the flights to Punta Gorda may be seasonally substituted for another destination.
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It would be helpful to add whether one can get to the airport in Worcester via public transportation.
Yes, but you have to find the Worchester airport, which is impossible!
Impossible to find if you are ignorant. Try mapquest Jacka55.
Or ask, for example:
From 290 East or West take the Route 9 exit and proceed directly to Worcester Airport.
Or take the Kelly Square exit down 122, merge with Route 9 directly to Worcester Airport.
And believe it or not, there are actually signs directing you to the Airport. Look for them, they are green and white with the symbol of and airplane! Go figure!
Worcester has an airport?
There is commuter rail from South Station in Boston to Worcester. Once you arrive at Union Station in Worcester, however, it gets a little tricky. There is bus service, but it's a tad spotty. Best bet might be to take a cab from Union Station to Worcester Airport.
"It would be helpful to add whether one can get to the airport in Worcester via public transportation."
"Yes, but you have to find the Worchester airport, which is impossible!"
True. Instead, try to find "Worcester". You should have far greater success when you search for the correct place.
Access to the airport during rush hour is miserable. The airport may be easy to find, billywalsh, but 122 and 9 are congested as **** during rush hours. It can take 30 min to get from vernon hill to the airport a few miles away. Hopefully, they'll do early morning or later evening flights because sustaining and adding service to Worcester is critical to its revitalization. The location really is its downfall.
Is the Punta Gorda airport the same as the Fort. Myers airport (RSW)?
Worchester to Atlanta......it just makes sense...if they have facilities in place.
Worchester to London? OK, OK. Atlanta. [Greed abounds, even outside of politics.]
Never mind the problems on our end... Punta Gorda or Orlando?? I can see the value in Orlando but the majority of tourism is otherwise southeast FL. I would be very happy if they expand to Ft Lauderdale or some other regional airport (MIA is probably too pricey with for them to use).
Seems to me, the more options we have the better off we are. So I welcome reintroducing commercial flight to Worcester. Access to public transportation, taxis and rental cars at each end is important as well. Punta Gorda is not Fort Myers (RSW). Fort Myers (Southwest Florida) airport is newly expanded and thriving. Very easy to get in and out of. I don't know anything about Punta Gorda.
Punta Gorda is around a half hour away from Fort Myers.
Access to the airport during rush hour is miserable. The airport may be easy to find, billywalsh, but 122 and 9 are congested as **** during rush hours. It can take 30 min to get from vernon hill to the airport a few miles away. Hopefully, they'll do early morning or later evening flights because sustaining and adding service to Worcester is critical to its revitalization. The location really is its downfall.
-congested as opposed to 90w to boston or 128 and 93 to logan?? I spent college in worcester and its never taken longer than 20 minutes to go from any one point in the city to another. The problem is that worcester is a city with an airport and no planes, and a train station with no trains; hopefully this will change that
I live by the Worcester airport. Access is not a problem, and you will find the travel experience to be completely hassle-free at the facility.
From Boston: Take Mass Pike East to Exit 10, Route 146 North. 146 North merges into I-290 East. Take Exit 17, Route 9 westbound. Airport is approximately 4 miles on the left.
PUNTA GORDA IS ABOUT 20 MINUTES FROM FORT MYERS, THE WINTER HOME OF THE BOSTON RED SOX
How have the flights been since you have reopened, In and out of Worcester Airport? We have already booked a flight for Jan 29 out of the Airport, Thank -you
How far is Worcestor Airport from Bennington Vermont? Is there car rental close to the airport?
-> To answer HAL, Google maps ORH to Bennington VT 133 mi – about 2 hours 37 mins (local roads to I-90 to US-7). That's a lot closer than flying through Boston.
-> This is the official airport website http://www.massport.com/worce/ . Rentals at the airport are Avis, Hertz, and Thrifty. I'd call the local desk to confirm reservation.
-> Consider flying through Albany NY. Google map ALB to Bennington VT 41.7 mi, about 52 mins.
-> You could also travel through Brattleboro VT, but google routes you through lots of local roads which might be more stressful.
Really well written!
Who are you picking in the super bowl?
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