Flight Deck Diner at Cape May Airport Closes

One of Cape May County’s most unique breakfast and lunch spots has suddenly closed.

The Flight Deck Diner, located at the Cape May Airport in Erma, has officially shut down after engineers determined the building would require millions of dollars in repairs. The decision ultimately led the landlord to terminate the restaurant’s lease, ending a 16 year run for the aviation themed diner.

Owner Chrissy McMullan shared the news with customers in an emotional message announcing the closure.

“It is with great sadness that I have to tell you all that the Flight Deck Diner is officially closed for good,” McMullan wrote. “After the landlord gathered all their engineer reports, both structural and electrical, the repair of the building would be millions of dollars to fix, therefore they need to terminate my lease agreement.”

McMullan also thanked the community that supported the diner over the years and praised her staff who continued working through the uncertainty.

“For the last 16 years, you have all been the greatest supporters of the Flight Deck and have become family to all of us and we will all miss you so much,” she wrote.

A Unique Dining Experience at Cape May Airport

The Flight Deck Diner was unlike most restaurants in South Jersey. Located right at the Cape May Airport terminal area, the diner offered front row views of aircraft taking off and landing throughout the day.

The aviation theme carried inside the restaurant with airplane decor, pilot memorabilia, and large windows overlooking the runway. For many visitors it became a must stop breakfast destination before heading to the beaches of Cape May or Wildwood.

The airport itself has a long history tied to the region. During World War II the site operated as Naval Air Station Rio Grande, a major training base for naval aviators. After the war the property transitioned into a civilian airport that today supports private aviation, aviation businesses, and attractions including the nearby Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum.

Restaurants have operated at the airport for years, but the Flight Deck Diner became one of the most recognizable.

A Local Favorite for Breakfast and Lunch

Over the past decade and a half, the diner developed a loyal following of locals, pilots, and tourists. Known for classic diner breakfasts, homemade soups, and hearty lunch plates, it was often packed during the summer tourism season.

The closure also impacts the restaurant’s staff. McMullan asked anyone with job openings for cooks, dishwashers, hostesses, waitresses, or bussers to reach out so she can help connect her employees with new opportunities.

For many Cape May County residents, the Flight Deck Diner was more than just a place to eat. It was a local institution where families gathered for breakfast while watching planes roll down the runway.

Now, after 16 years, that chapter has come to an unexpected end.