Subject to regulatory approvals, Trinidad and Tobago national flag carrier Caribbean Airlines plans to launch non-stop flights between New York and Barbados starting April 1, 2021. The once-weekly service will depart Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) on Thursdays at 12:40 and arrive at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) at 17:30. The return flight back to Barbados will be on Saturday, departing JFK at 08:50 and arriving at BGI at 13:35.

To celebrate the launch of its new route, the Piarco-headquartered airline is offering customers a special buy one, get one free (BOGO) promotion, except rather than getting the second ticket free, you get 50% off the fare (conditions apply). According to Caribbean Airlines' website, prices for the four hours, 50-minute Boeing 737-800 flight start at under $500 for a roundtrip ticket.

Caribbean Airlines wants to expand

In a statement released yesterday, Caribbean Airlines CEO Garvin Medera had this to say about the new route:

“This is a significant milestone for Caribbean Airlines and reiterates our commitment to giving our customers options and access to regional and international destinations. This will further improve connectivity and expand our network, which is one of our main objectives.”

Currently, Caribbean Airlines operate, according to Planespotters.net, a fleet made up of the following 17 aircraft that have an average age of 14.5 years:

  • 7 x ATR 72s
  • 10 x  Boeing 737-800s
Caribbean Airlines Getty
Caribbean Airline's main base is in Trinidad and Tobago Photo: Getty Images

The majority of  Caribbean Airlines flights are from its main bases at Piarco International Airport (POS) in Trinidad, Norman Manley International Airport (KIN) in Jamaica, and Cheddi Jagan International Airport (GEO) in Guyana. From these three hubs, Caribbean Airlines flies to destinations in the Caribbean, North America, and South America.

Why Barbados to New York?

As the world continues to battle the coronavirus, many places people liked to travel for leisure closed their doors to international travelers. Barbados, a country that relies heavily on tourists, took a different approach.

The island opened back up to tourists in July with the stipulation that you must provide a negative PCR test taken 72 hours before arriving in Barbados. Visitors must then self-isolate for five days before taking a second PCR test. If this test is negative, you are free to move about the island.

Caribbean Airlines
Caribbean Airlines have three main hubs. Image: Caribbean Airlines

Knowing that tourism numbers would be down due to COVID-19, the government came up with a novel way to entice remote workers to come and live there.  Called the "Barbados Work Stamp," the special visa allows people to live and work in Barbados for up to a year and costs $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a family. You can also renew the visa after one year and are not subject to Barbados income tax.

Barbados is a great springtime destination

Blessed with springtime weather in the mid-80s Fahrenheit during the day and little to no rain, Barbados is an excellent spot for a beach vacation. Luxury hotels adorn the beachfront, and fine dining is available at some of the Caribbean's best restaurants. As well as the powdery sand beaches and turquoise-colored bays, Barbados has a Unesco World Heritage-listed capital and a luxurious interior dotted with manicured gardens.

What do you think about Caribbean Airlines' new Barbados to New York flight? Please lets us know your thoughts in the comments.