It just might be the most active airport in the Caribbean right now — and it hasn’t even opened yet: Tulum, Mexico the white-hot Riviera Maya destination that will soon be home to its first-ever international air gateway.
While Tulum’s new airport hasn’t even opened its doors yet, it has been attracting massive demand from major air carriers in the United States, many of which have already announced plans to launch flights to the destination, including American Airlines, United and Delta Air Lines.
You can add another one now: JetBlue Airways, which has announced a nonstop route between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Tulum (new airport code: TQO), set to start next June. (June 13, to be exact).
The service to Felipe Carrillo Puerto Tulum airport will make getting to Tulum, which has had a meteoric growth trajectory in the last five years or so, much easier. Right now, the drive from the Mexican Caribbean’s main airport in Cancun can take about two hours — resulting in a massive time savings for those flying directly to Tulum.
“With picturesque beaches and vibrant cultural heritage, Tulum has proven to be a destination in demand by seamlessly blending ancient and modern, in a country that continues to lead with world-class hospitality,” said David Jehn JetBlue’s vice president, network planning and airline partnerships. “With the new international airport in Tulum, we are able to bring our customers where they want to go, arriving and departing in a brand new, modern, and convenient airport facility while offering the great service and low fares JetBlue is known for.”
Tulum, nestled between mangroves and white sand beaches to the south of Cancun and Playa del Carmen, is a rich, vibrant destination with everything from well-preserved Mayan temples to world-class eateries and endless cenotes. Tulum’s sizzling travel demand has helped turn a place once dominated by bohemian wellness hotels and tiny boutiques into a booming Mexican Caribbean vacation spot, one that now includes an increasing number of large brands (think Kimpton, Marriott and Hilton, among others).
JetBlue, which also flies to Cancun, will be operating the nonstop New York-Tulum service on Airbus A320 aircraft. Travel time? Between four and five hours.