American Airlines is set to double the number of gateways from the United States to Barbados, bringing the total to seven, as announced by Minister of Tourism and International Transport Ian Gooding-Edghill on Saturday evening.
This expansion marks a historic milestone, representing the largest number of gateways from the United States to Barbados at any point in history. Effective November 05, 2024, American Airlines will initiate daily nonstop service from New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport using a 737 aircraft with a capacity of 172 seats. Additionally, starting November 09, 2024, American Airlines will introduce a Saturday-only service from Philadelphia utilizing their 190-seat A321 aircraft.
With these new seasonal services, Barbados will now boast seven gateways from the United States, catering to the growing demand for travel to the island destination. This strategic move by American Airlines underscores their confidence in Barbados as a premier travel spot and reflects the strong demand for flights to the destination.
The introduction of these new services will not only enhance travel options for passengers but also increase the number of premium business class seats, aligning with the Ministry’s objectives to cater to diverse visitor preferences.
The addition of these American Airlines routes will contribute to a significant increase in capacity, adding 35,000 seats to Barbados. This announcement comes shortly after the revelation of Delta Airlines’ plans to provide additional services, further boosting seasonal capacity by an impressive 65,000 seats.
The strategic approach to expanding gateways, such as the introduction of the Philadelphia route, aims to improve connectivity between critical points in the United States and Barbados, facilitating smoother travel experiences for visitors from the American market.
The Ministry, in collaboration with the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), will utilize the nine-month planning period preceding the 2024/2025 winter season to promote and market these new routes effectively. The BTMI USA office will continue its marketing efforts to ensure the success and sustainability of these new services.
These developments reflect the long-standing partnership between Barbados and American Airlines, which began with the airline’s inaugural flight to the island in 1975. The Ministry acknowledges the efforts of all involved in facilitating the resumption and introduction of these services, underscoring their commitment to expanding and revitalizing routes in North America.
