NEW YORK – When the 2008/2009 winter tourist season gets underway on December 15, Jamaica is expected to be well served with increased airlift from the United States, its primary source market. At a time when the global aviation industry is in turmoil and a number of carriers have reduced service to the Caribbean, travelers to Jamaica will benefit from additional air service from many hubs throughout the United States.
Beginning this winter, American Airlines will begin new service from Chicago to Montego Bay.
“We are excited at the prospects for visitors to Jamaica who will have a variety of carriers to choose from, reinforcing our strong airline partnerships, while at the same time meeting the growing consumer demand for flights to the island,” said Donnie Dawson, Jamaica’s Deputy Director of Sales, US and Latin American. “The increase in flights to Jamaica this winter, during a time when many airlines are consolidating and reducing service to the region, shows the continuing popularity of the destination.”
Getting to Jamaica is Quick, Easy and Affordable
Jamaica is serviced by most of the major airlines, which fly into both Montego Bay and Kingston airports. Now looking very chic, Sangster International in Montego Bay has undergone a US$200+ million renovation and Norman Manley in Kingston is currently undergoing a US$139+ million expansion.
Both projects feature expanded customs and arrivals halls, jetways, food and retail concourses, reception areas and lounges, and many more upgrades. These renovations now expedite arrival and departure processing for all passengers, and have added new shopping and dining features to the boarding experience.
Travelers to Jamaica’s tourist capital Montego Bay have a great variety of flights and carrier choices. In the Northeast, nonstop air service to Montego Bay operates out of New York’s JFK, Newark, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Boston and Washington, D.C. From the New York tri-state area, travelers can fly out of JFK on Air Jamaica, Delta, and American Airlines; from Newark on Continental, from BWI Baltimore on Air Jamaica, from Dulles Washington DC on United, from Philadelphia on Air Jamaica and US Airways and from Boston on US Airways.
In the Midwest, from Detroit and Minneapolis, nonstop flights are operated by Northwest Airlines and from Chicago, Air Jamaica, American Airlines, United Airlines, and US Airways offer flights.
In the West, Air Jamaica serves Los Angeles. (Flight time from Los Angeles to Montego Bay is approximately the same as from Los Angeles to Hawaii.)
In the Southern state of Texas, American Airlines operate nonstop flights from Dallas while from Houston, Continental Airlines provides airlift. From other southern states such as Memphis, Northwest offers flights and from Charlotte, US Airways provides service. Travelers from Orlando can fly Air Jamaica while passengers from Miami have the choice of American Airlines and Air Jamaica; from Atlanta, Delta and Air Jamaica; and from Fort Lauderdale, Air Jamaica and Spirit Airlines.
All US carriers serving Montego Bay have connecting flights from every state and towns within the USA providing a network of air service to Jamaica.
Charter service from Minneapolis and St. Louis is provided by Apple Vacations, Funjet and MLT Vacations; from Milwaukee by Apple Vacations and Funjet; and from Chicago and Pittsburgh by Apple Vacations.
Travelers should check departure schedules with their respective airlines or travel agents.
