A tide pod livery 737 jets down the runway with exhaust causing amazing distortion. There's snow in the foreground and you can see steam from ventilation or heater exhaust in the background. The lighting is excellent, everything is warm.
A Sun Country 737 Departs MSP on a frigid morning. – Photo: Nick Benson / JetTip.net

Inaugurals, brand new airlines, airline sunsets, new planes, unique planes. What do these all have in common? They’re a magnet for AvGeeks. And any time you get a group of enthusiasts in a room together they all start telling their “AvGeek experience” stories. You know how it goes – “the shortest flight I ever flew was…” and then someone chimes in with theirs. It’s good fun.

Today we are excited to tell you about an AvGeek experience we just recently learned of (and promptly booked) thanks to our friend and sometimes AirlineReporter contributor Nick Benson over at JetTip. Picture this: An inaugural flight between a new city pair, to an airport you and your friends have probably never been to. Just an 85-mile flight, onboard a 737 with a bunch of fellow AvGeeks…

Let’s Fly an Inaugural EAS Flight

This screen shot shows the inaugural flight selected. It departs at 11:25 AM and arrives at 12:20 PM. The true prices is 39.60.
The December 1 MSP-EAU flight is only $40 one way. Less than $1 a minute! What a deal. – Image: Sun Country

On December 1, 2022 Sun Country will inaugurate service between MSP and EAU (Chippewa Valley Regional Airport) using one of their 737s. At time of writing, the new route is a bargain at just shy of $40 each way. This is a ULCC, so seat selection, etc., are extra. But here’s the thing – it’s a short 45-minute flight, and an inaugural so why not just roll the dice? We realize this isn’t Spirit, but here’s your chance to go full un-bundled, like I did in 2016 when I tried the Bare Fare, for science. Do it, and you’ll have another story to tell your friends.

Wendy Burt, Sr. Director of communications for Sun Country confirms that this unique new route is part of the DOT’s Essential Air Service program. EAS is intended to ensure service to undeserved communities. She also confirmed that “there will be an event in Eau Claire on the first day to celebrate.” Airline-themed cake, anyone? We can only hope…

We hope to see you there.

Managing Correspondent - Lee's Summit, MO. JL joined AirlineReporter in 2012 and has since become one of our most tenured and prolific writers. He enjoys catalyzing AvGeek excitement in others, and semi-frequent travel. While he's always looking for the next big adventure, home is with his growing AvGeek family in Lee's Summit, MO, a suburb of Kansas City. Find JL on MastodonEmail: jl@airlinereporter.com

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6 Comments

My shortest flt was OAK to SFO. But it was a positioning flt. 727-122

about 1950 when I was a teenager my dad put me on my first airplane ride. It was from Santa Barbara to LAX. I remember the take off over the coast. My longest flights have been LAX to SYD and DXB to SEA right over the north pole.

I have flown DTW to Flint on a four-engine BA 146, then operated by NW. I believe the air distance was something like 57 miles. It was fun while it lasted!

I flew that several times myself, always to catch a connection in DTW. I remember asking the flight crew if there would be a meal service, he promptly closed the curtain, yes curtain that protected the cockpit.

I once flew from SFO to San Jose on American Eagle turboprop that seated about 15 people. It was a 10 minute flight, barely picked up the wheels. I took the flight to connect to LAX because it fulfilled an American Advantage promotion of a 5,000 mile bonus for 8 segments in 60 days

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