United Airlines has launched its new, expanded service to the United States Virgin Islands for the summer.

The carrier has begun new daily service between Houston and St. Thomas, up from four weekly flights.

The new service will operate through Aug. 14.

Magens Bay, St. Thomas.United already operates flights to St. Thomas out of Newark and Chicago.

United is also operating daily flights between Washington Dulles International Airport and St. Thomas this summer, while extending its weekly Saturday service between Newark and St. Thomas beyond the summer and into September and October.

Houston flights are priced at $538 round trip, according to United’s Web site, while Washington-St. Thomas flights are around $472.

Maho Bay, St. John.

“United is reporting strong demand for the U.S. Virgin Islands and we look forward to the additional lift to the Territory, ” said United States Virgin Islands Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty, who said the goal was to achieve year-round flights from Houston.

The USVI has been seeing strong tourism growth of late, with a 4.3 percent jump in tourist arrivals last year and a 4.5 percent jump in arrivals so far this year, according to the most recent data.

Don’t miss our list of the top U.S. Virgin Islands hotels.