Above: Willemstad, Curacao (CJ Photo)
By Alexander Britell
JetBlue’s Caribbean push shows no signs of slowing down.
The New York City-based carrier announced Wednesday that it would be launching service to another new Caribbean destination, beginning service from New York to Curaçao on Dec. 2.
The service would become the only nonstop service from New York to the Dutch Caribbean island.
The twice-weekly service will operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
“We are really excited to be able to offer customers the only nonstop route from New York to Curaçao and more nonstop flights to the Caribbean than any other airline,” said Robin Hayes, president of JetBlue, in a release. “This well preserved island is our 31st Caribbean destination, and is a favorite among diving enthusiasts for its healthy coral reefs, and is considered one of the nicest Caribbean escapes for discerning travelers thanks to its pristine beaches and clear water. These natural attractions make the island a natural choice for JetBlue.”
The service represents a boon for the island, which had seen arrival numbers from the United States dip in recent years.
“We have been working closely with the team at JetBlue to bring this flight to the island and are thrilled it has come to fruition and we’re able to announce it today,” said Stanley Palm, Curacao’s Minister of Economic Development. “Curaçao continues to thrive as one of the Caribbean’s most diverse and culturally-rich islands and we look forward to now being able to share it with more visitors. New York is a top market for the island, and we are confident that the new nonstop service on JetBlue will meet the demand we’ve seen from the northeast and international travelers alike.”
JetBlue will be operating the service on a 150-seat Airbus A320, the carrier said.
The flights will depart New York’s John F Kennedy Airport on at 9 AM, arriving in Curaçao at 2:30 PM.
The return flights will depart Curaçao at 3:30 PM, arriving in New York at 7:14 PM.