Cape Cod's Airport: What You Need To Know

Cape Cod is a popular tourist destination, and visitors often wonder about the best way to access the region by air. Cape Cod has its own airport, Cape Cod Gateway Airport (HYA), which is located in Barnstable County, Massachusetts. The airport is served by several commercial airlines and is easily accessible by road. In this article, we will explore the history of Cape Cod's airport, its facilities, and the best travel options for those wishing to fly to Cape Cod.

Cape Cod's major airport

The airport is located one mile (1.6 km) north of the central business district of Hyannis and covers an area of 639 acres (2.59 km2). It has two asphalt grooved runways: 6/24, which is 5,425 x 150 ft (1,654 x 46 m), and 15/33, which is 5,253 x 150 ft (1,601 x 46 m). The airport is served by scheduled commercial flights, charters, and general aviation.

Cape Cod Gateway Airport has a long history, dating back to its founding in 1928. During World War II, it was known as the Naval Auxiliary Air Facility Hyannis, and both the Navy and Army Air Forces used it for antisubmarine patrols. In 1981, it was renamed Barnstable Municipal Airport–Boardman/Polando Field to honour Massachusetts aviation pioneers Russell Boardman and John Polando, who were the first aviators to fly non-stop for a 5,000-mile (8,000 km) distance. On January 1, 2021, the airport was rebranded as the Cape Cod Gateway Airport to improve name recognition for users unfamiliar with the name Barnstable.

Several commercial aircraft have served the airport over the years, including Boeing 727, Boeing 737, and McDonnell Douglas DC-9 jets. The airport has also accommodated various turboprop and piston-powered aircraft operated by regional and small commuter airlines. During the summer months, the airport experiences a significant increase in traffic, both commercially and privately.

The airport is accessible via MA Route 28 or US 6 through MA Route 132. Local taxi services and car rental agencies provide transportation to and from the airport, and the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority offers public transportation as part of the "Villager"/ Route 132 line.

Cape Cod's airport history

Cape Cod Gateway Airport, also known as Boardman/Polando Field, is Cape Cod's major airport. It is located in Hyannis, Massachusetts, and is publicly owned by the Town of Barnstable. The airport was founded in 1928 as a single grass runway on a 57-acre property known as "Tip Top Farm". During World War II, it was known as the Naval Auxiliary Air Facility Hyannis and was used by the Navy and Army Air Forces for antisubmarine patrols. After the war, the airport was returned to the Town of Barnstable as a two-runway, municipal airport serving all of Cape Cod.

In 1981, the airport was renamed Barnstable Municipal Airport–Boardman/Polando Field in honour of Massachusetts aviation pioneers Russell Boardman and John Polando, the first aviators to fly non-stop for 5,000 miles (8,000 km). Boardman and Polando considered the Hyannis airport their home base and trained there for their record-breaking flight in 1930.

The airport has undergone several improvements over the years, including the construction of a new terminal and air traffic control tower in the 1950s, and a $40 million airport improvement program in 2011-2012 that included the demolition of the old tower and terminal and the construction of new ones. As of 2021, the airport has been rebranded as the Cape Cod Gateway Airport to provide better name recognition to users not familiar with the name Barnstable.

Today, the airport offers commercial and general aviation services to Boston, New York, and the islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. It is served by scheduled commercial flights, charters, and general aviation. The airport has two asphalt grooved runways and a variety of aircraft operate from the airport, including Cessna 402 commuter planes, Beechcraft King Air 300s, and Embraer E190 jets.

Transport to Cape Cod's airport

Cape Cod has its own airport, the Cape Cod Gateway Airport (IATA: HYA, ICAO: KHYA, FAA LID: HYA), formerly known as Barnstable Municipal Airport. The airport is located one mile north of Hyannis, in Barnstable County, Massachusetts. It is accessible via MA Route 28 or US 6 through MA Route 132.

There are several transport options for getting to and from the airport.

Car

Car rental services are available at the airport, and rideshare and taxi services are also an option.

Bus

The Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority provides public transportation to and from the airport as part of the "Villager"/ Route 132 line. The Peter Pan bus line also offers direct routes to several locations across Cape Cod, with tickets costing $28 USD one-way from Boston Logan International Airport to Hyannis Transport Centre.

Ferry

Ferry services are available from Boston Harbour to Cape Cod, arriving at Provincetown in approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes. However, you will first need to get to Boston Harbour from the airport by taxi or bus.

Cape Cod's airport destinations

Cape Cod's major airport is Cape Cod Gateway Airport (HYA), formerly known as Barnstable Municipal Airport. The airport is located in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, just 4.6 miles from Cape Cod.

Destinations

Cape Cod Gateway Airport offers flights to several destinations, including:

• New York City, with flights to both John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA).
• Nantucket, with flights to Nantucket Memorial Airport (ACK).
• Martha's Vineyard, with flights to Martha's Vineyard Airport (MVY).
• Boston, with flights to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).

These destinations provide further connections to both domestic and international locations.

Airlines

Several airlines operate from Cape Cod Gateway Airport, including:

• Cape Air, which serves over 30 destinations across the Northeast, Cape Cod and the Islands, Eastern Montana, Puerto Rico, and more.
• JetBlue Airways, which offers seasonal flights.
• American Airlines.
• Rectrix Aviation.
• Wiggins Airways.

History

The airport was founded in 1928 and played a role during World War II, with both the Navy and Army Air Forces flying antisubmarine patrols. It has since been renamed and rebranded to better reflect its role as Cape Cod's major airport.

Cape Cod's airport airlines

Cape Cod's airport, Cape Cod Gateway Airport (formerly Barnstable Municipal Airport), is located one mile north of Hyannis, Massachusetts. The airport is served by scheduled commercial flights, charters, and general aviation.

Cape Air, JetBlue, and American Airlines are the primary airlines that service Cape Cod, providing connectivity with one-stop to destinations around the world. Cape Air serves over 30 destinations across the region, including Cape Cod & the Islands, Eastern Montana, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Anguilla, St. Kitts, and Nevis. JetBlue offers seasonal Embraer E190 jets, and American Airlines has a partnership with Cape Air to provide connectivity.

In addition to these major airlines, Rectrix Aviation, Wiggins Airways, and Air Cape Cod are also based at the airport. Rectrix Aviation operates Beechcraft King Air 300s, while Wiggins Airways operates Cessna 208s.

The airport has two asphalt runways and is accessible by road via MA Route 28 or US 6 through MA Route 132. Local taxi services and car rental agencies provide transportation to and from the airport. The Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority also offers public transportation to and from the airport as part of the "Villager"/ Route 132 line.

Frequently asked questions