It’s about to get a whole lot easier to visit the British Virgin Islands beginning this summer.
Beginning June 1, American Airlines will operate the first nonstop service between the United States and Tortola in the British Virgin Islands in the modern era.
The new three-hour route between Miami and Beef Island Airport could be a game-changer for the British Overseas Territory, which has long been accessible only by regional aircraft or ferry service from St Thomas. (Cape Air is still a great option for connecting through San Juan and St Thomas).
“As the first nonstop flight from the U.S. in decades, this is a monumental opportunity to bring more North American travelers to the crystal-clear waters of our beloved island-destination,” said Clive McCoy, Director of Tourism, British Virgin Islands Tourist Board and Film Commission. “We have one of the most beautiful collections of isles and cays anywhere in the world and look forward to offering our new and returning visitors an assortment of experiences.”
The new service will initially run between June 1 and Aug. 14, before restarting in November.
The flights will be operating once daily.
That will mean an estimated 2,218 monthly visitors to the British Virgin Islands.
American Airlines has been making an effort to connect previously-isolated airports in the Caribbean.
That began with the first-ever nonstop flights between the United States and Dominica, accompanied by the first-ever flights between the United States and Anguilla.
Now, it’s the British Virgin Islands, with another route operated on American’s Embraer aircraft capable of landing on smaller international runways.
It’s the culmination of years of efforts of tourism officials in the British Virgin Islands to connect the destination with the US, from the star-crossed BVI Airways to continued talks with several carriers in North America.