European carrier Norwegian Air has launched its first-ever flights to the French Caribbean.
Norwegian launched its three-times-weekly flights from New York to Martinique this week, the first time Martinique has been accessible by air from the northeastern United States in more than two decades.
This week, Norwegian also launched twice-weekly nonstop flights from Baltimore and Boston to Martinique.
“It’s truly wonderful to see our many years of dedicated effort in the New York metro area, and elsewhere across the Northeast, payoff in this way,” said Muriel Wiltord, Director Americas of the Martinique Promotion Bureau. “The New York market has spoken: they want more Martinique! Our great friends at Norwegian have stepped up with an answer in the affirmative. We could not be happier to see the strong demand being met this winter.”
Above: Anses d’Arlets in Martinique
After decades without direct flights from the US, Martinique is now also accessible six times a week from Miami on American Airlines.
This week, the company also launches similar flights to Guadeloupe, with similar thrice-weekly flights from New York and twice-weekly from Boston and Baltimore-Washington.
Both territories have been on a major push to promote the US market.
While Martinique has had the far more successful strategy so far drawing US travelers so far, it’s likely the flights will be a boon to both French departments, each of which are among the Caribbean’s hidden gem destinations.