I flew on JetBlue's basic fare for the first time from Cape Cod to NYC for $70. I'd pick it over the 5-hour drive even with a delay.

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I flew on JetBlue's basic fare for the first time from Cape Cod to NYC for $70. I'd pick it over the 5-hour drive even with a delay.
  • I flew on JetBlue basic fare for the first time this past weekend from Cape Cod to New York City.
  • The $70 flight was a quick and easy alternative to the 5-hour drive, even though it was delayed.
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At first, I was hesitant to book a flight from Cape Cod to New York City instead of driving like I usually do when I visit my family.

At first, I was hesitant to book a flight from Cape Cod to New York City instead of driving like I usually do when I visit my family.
JetBlue planesPhoto by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

A friend who flew the same route this summer was delayed nine hours. Despite the cheap price, I wasn't sure if it was worth the risk of getting stranded.

A friend who flew the same route this summer was delayed nine hours. Despite the cheap price, I wasn't sure if it was worth the risk of getting stranded.
Departure flight board with cancelation at the Airport.Getty Images
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I took the gamble and booked the non-refundable, one-way flight from HYA to JFK for $70. It was an additional $65 to bring a carry-on suitcase, so I brought a backpack as my personal item.

I took the gamble and booked the non-refundable, one-way flight from HYA to JFK for $70. It was an additional $65 to bring a carry-on suitcase, so I brought a backpack as my personal item.
Hannah Towey/Insider

The bag fit my laptop, three outfits, toiletries, one pair of shoes, and a book. I saved space by wearing my sneakers and packing one pair of sandals.

The bag fit my laptop, three outfits, toiletries, one pair of shoes, and a book. I saved space by wearing my sneakers and packing one pair of sandals.
Hannah Towey/Insider
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After a 30-minute drive to the airport and a five-minute security line, my flight was delayed by half an hour. This was the only hiccup of the entire trip.

After a 30-minute drive to the airport and a five-minute security line, my flight was delayed by half an hour. This was the only hiccup of the entire trip.
Hannah Towey/Insider

Soon enough, we quickly boarded the aircraft, an Embraer E190 with 100 seats. I was able to pick my seat in row 18 during check-in.

Soon enough, we quickly boarded the aircraft, an Embraer E190 with 100 seats. I was able to pick my seat in row 18 during check-in.
Hannah Towey/Insider
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The bare-bones aircraft wasn't luxurious by any means, but worked great for the short one-hour flight.

The bare-bones aircraft wasn't luxurious by any means, but worked great for the short one-hour flight.
Hannah Towey/Insider

The seats were tight, but I was pleasantly surprised that the free WiFi actually worked for messaging and other apps.

The seats were tight, but I was pleasantly surprised that the free WiFi actually worked for messaging and other apps.
Hannah Towey/Insider
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I've never been so happy to have chosen the window seat — I spent the whole flight looking out the window as we flew over Long Island.

I've never been so happy to have chosen the window seat — I spent the whole flight looking out the window as we flew over Long Island.
Hannah Towey/Insider

Almost the entire flight was over the water. I'd pay the $70 again just for the views.

Almost the entire flight was over the water. I'd pay the $70 again just for the views.
Hannah Towey/Insider
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We flew over sailboats, jet skiers, beachgoers, and marshland.

We flew over sailboats, jet skiers, beachgoers, and marshland.
Hannah Towey/Insider

There was minimal turbulence. Overall, it was an incredibly smooth and relaxing ride.

There was minimal turbulence. Overall, it was an incredibly smooth and relaxing ride.
Hannah Towey/Insider
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We took off at 2:07 pm and touched down on the JFK runway at 2:55 pm before taxiing approximately five minutes to the gate.

We took off at 2:07 pm and touched down on the JFK runway at 2:55 pm before taxiing approximately five minutes to the gate.
Hannah Towey/Insider

In classic New York fashion, it took longer to take the train from JFK to my apartment than the flight itself. I took the JFK Air Train to Jamaica station and hopped on the subway from there.

In classic New York fashion, it took longer to take the train from JFK to my apartment than the flight itself. I took the JFK Air Train to Jamaica station and hopped on the subway from there.
Hannah Towey/Insider
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The Air Train requires an $8 exit fee. Plan ahead and bring a pre-paid metro card (they don't accept Apply Pay) instead of waiting in line for 10 minutes like I did.

The Air Train requires an $8 exit fee. Plan ahead and bring a pre-paid metro card (they don't accept Apply Pay) instead of waiting in line for 10 minutes like I did.
Hannah Towey/Insider

Door to door, the trip took approximately four hours. I would gladly do it again over the five-hour drive, even though I couldn't bring a suitcase.

Door to door, the trip took approximately four hours. I would gladly do it again over the five-hour drive, even though I couldn't bring a suitcase.
Hannah Towey/Insider
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