Nantucket Airport 2025 Summer Outlook: Flight Destinations & Real ID Information
David Creed •
The Nantucket Memorial Airport, the second busiest airport in Massachusetts, is gearing up for another busy summer. It welcomed back JetBlue for their seasonal service on May 15th and Delta Airlines returned yesterday for its first flight of the season to the island. The return of American Airlines will be on June 19th and United Airlines will be back on June 26th.
Along with the uptick in aircraft and passenger traffic that comes with the summer season, the airport will also be adjusting to a new era in terms of acceptable identification for its passengers.
On May 7th, the requirement for a Real ID-compliant document or two forms of identification such as a driver’s license and passport began. Airport manager Warren Smith said that this new law applies not only to the four large, commercial airlines that will frequent Nantucket all summer but also charter planes and smaller airlines such as Cape Air.
“Real IDs are required for all commercial flights out of ACK, or better, you must present a Real ID at the TSA Checkpoint,” Smith said. “If you do not have a Real ID, you will not be turned away by TSA but will require further screening that could impact your travel plans. As for Cape Air, all Part 121 flights are considered commercial flights and require Real ID as you must be screened at the TSA checkpoint. Part 135 operations also must have a Real ID to fly.”
Smith said A passport or other valid forms of ID, which can be accessed here, are also TSA compliant in the event people flying have not obtained a Real ID.
All 12/5 charter flights, which are flights utilizing aircraft weighing 12,500 pounds or more, will require Real ID as part of a new program that will go into effect on July 1st. All 12/5 Charter Flights will require a TSA-approved screening by a trained third-party, which each passenger boarding the aircraft will need to go through (the use of a wand/bags opened and checked), Smith said.
Smith said that as of this week, there had been no impacts or changes to flight operations on Nantucket following the Real ID law going into effect.
“Any issues that arise are handled on a case-by-case basis, but so far, I haven't seen or heard of any issues at the checkpoint here (on Nantucket),” Smith said.
Below are the four large, commercial airlines that will be flying to and from Nantucket and the flight destinations they will offer this summer.
JetBlue
JetBlue began its seasonal flights to Nantucket on May 15, 2025. The airline will fly to the following destinations from Nantucket:
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).
- Westchester County Airport (HPN) in New York.
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York.
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Virginia.
- LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York.
JetBlue normally uses the Embraer E190 for its seasonal flights to Nantucket, which seat around 100 passengers. However, this summer they will also operate the Airbus A220 on some routes, with the aircraft seating capacity being approximately 140 passengers.
Delta Airlines
Delta began its seasonal flights to Nantucket on May 22, 2025. The airline will fly to the following destinations:
- LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York.
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Virginia.
Delta typically operates the Embraer E170, a regional jet with a capacity of 70 passengers.
American Airlines
American Airlines will begin its seasonal flights to Nantucket on June 19, 2025, with flights from Nantucket to:
Daily flights:
- Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).
- LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York.
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Virginia.
They also operate Saturday-only flights to Nantucket from:
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in Charlotte, North Carolina.
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago, Illinois.
These flights are typically operated with regional jets like the Embraer E175, which seat approximately 76 passengers.
United Airlines
United Airlines will begin its seasonal flights to Nantucket on June 26, 2025, and will operate flights to the following destinations:
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey.
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD).
United typically uses the CRJ-550, a regional jet with a capacity of 50 passengers.