American Airlines is expected to add a new route to Jamaica from Philadelphia International Airport beginning on November 4. 

Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett made the announcement in a statement yesterday.

The flight is expected to operate three times per week on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays. 

“We were very happy to learn that the world’s largest airline company will be expanding its services to Jamaica. We look forward to welcoming this new service in November and hope to see other additions in the future as we seek to rebound from the impact of the COVID-19 to our sector,” said Bartlett.

“As we see a resurgence in international travel and approach Jamaica’s high season, we’re excited to increase access to Kingston, which is slated to see nearly 500 new hotel rooms opening before 2023,” he added.

He also noted that he was particularly pleased that Kingston, which is a UNESCO-designated Creative City, was selected, as it has much to offer, primarily in areas of art, culture, gastronomy and eco-tourism.

American Airlines currently offers non-stop flights to Kingston out of Miami International Airport and will be operating 80 weekly flights to Montego Bay and Kingston this year.  Kingston will be American Airlines’ second nonstop route from Philadelphia to Jamaica, as the airline also operates two daily year-round services to Montego Bay.  This service to Montego Bay will transition to day-of-week service in mid-August for the off-season and resume daily service in November, the statement said.  

“American [Airlines] has proudly served Jamaica for more than four decades and we are looking forward to our continued expansion this year with a new route between Kingston and our Philadelphia hub,” Vice President of International for American Airlines, José A Freig said.