Above: a Delta plane

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Following the lead of JetBlue, Delta is ramping up a Caribbean expansion of its own.

The Atlanta-based carrier will be adding three new routes to the Caribbean, including a pair to Barbados.

The carrier will be adding nonstop routes from New York City’s JFK Airport and Atlanta to Barbados, along with new nonstop service from JFK to St Lucia.

“We continue to expand our presence in the Caribbean to offer customers the most convenient connection options for them to fly to their favorite tourist destinations,” said Maria Fernanda Price, Delta’s regional manager for the Caribbean. “We listen to our customers and work diligently to meet their expectations by offering new routes, and also enhanced onboard services to provide them with the best in flight experience.”

The Barbados flights will launch on Dec. 4, each operating Thursdays and Saturdays.

Delta already operates flights to St Lucia out of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson airport.

The St Lucia flight will launch Dec. 20 on a weekly basis on Saturdays throughout the year.

“Delta customers will have the ability to conveniently connect from a variety of feeder markets throughout the Northeast and Canada,” said Louis Lewis, director of tourism for the Saint Lucia Tourist Board. “We look forward to continued work with the carrier to increase the number of arrivals at Hewanorra International Airport.”

All the flights will be operated on Boeing 737-800 aircraft with 160 seats.

Delta said it had invested $3 billion over the last two years to enhance customer experience, including the addition of Economy Comfort seats, which will be available in the Caribbean.