There’s a new way to get from Miami to the heart of the French Caribbean. 

Air France has launched a new nonstop route between Miami International Airport and Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe. 

The nonstop flights, which take about three and a half hours, are operating twice each week, with service on Tuesdays and Fridays. 

Air France is operating the service on Airbus A320-200 aircraft. 

Guadeloupe reopened its borders for tourism earlier this summer. 

All visitors need to show proof of vaccination and a negative PCR or antigen result taken and received within 72 hours prior to travel. 

That’s along with another antigen test within 48 hours before travel.

U.S. visitors will also have to present a sworn statement they do not have symptoms of COVID-19 nor contact with someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19.

It’s a major boost for the Guadeloupe archipelago, which remains one of the Caribbean’s best-kept secrets, from its “main” islands of Basse-Terre and Grande-Terre to Les Saintes, one of the region’s most charming island chains. 

And then there’s Marie-Galante, the pancake-shaped island that’s one of the world’s great rum destinations. 

Right now, it’s the only way to fly nonstop from the United States to Guadeloupe.

Guadeloupe will see more airlift from the US in November, when American Airlines relaunches service from Miami and JetBlue resumes flights from New York. 

For more, visit Guadeloupe. 

— CJ