By the Caribbean Journal staff

Puerto Rico’s airlift boom is continuing with Delta Air Lines’ planned launch of a new route from Detroit to San Juan.

The nonstop route will operate weekly on Saturdays between Detroit Metropolitan Airport and San Juan’s Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, with service set to begin Dec. 21.

The new route is part of a wider push out of Detroit this coming winter season, with Delta planning to operate routes to a total of 20 international destinations out of the city.

The new OLV Fifty Five in San Juan’s hip Condado district.

The new Puerto Rico route will be operated on a Boeing 737-800 aircraft with capacity for 160 passengers, including 16 seats in first class, 36 in Comfort+ and 108 in the main cabin.

“Delta is committed to contributing to the economy of Puerto Rico by better connecting both leisure and business travelers with San Juan throughout the year,” said Agustin Durand, Delta’s general manager for Central America and the Caribbean.

The new service will complement Delta’s two main gateways to Puerto Rico, from Atlanta and New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport.

The Paseo La Princesa in Old San Juan.

“By offering the Detroit-San Juan service, Delta will continue to strengthen our network in the Caribbean and support the vibrant culture and hospitality of Puerto Rico,” Durand said. “Through our industry-leading service, we are continually investing to provide the best experience to our customers in San Juan, Detroit, the Americas and the world.”

The new Candelero Beach Resort.

After the destination quickly recaptured most of its airlift in the wake of Hurricane Maria, the last year has seen a wave of newly-launched routes to Puerto Rico, from new international service on carriers like Iberia to new routes on low-cost carriers like Allegiant and Spirit.

It’s also part of a growing route network to the Caribbean out of the Midwest, where more and more carriers are launching new Caribbean flights, most notably Sun Country Airlines.

— CJ