It’s the birthplace of James Bond and one of the most beautiful parts of the island of Jamaica. Next month, the north coast’s Ian Fleming International Airport will welcome its first-ever scheduled international service from American Airlines.
The airport, which is located in Boscobel, is about 20 minutes from the ultra-popular travel destination of Ocho Rios, home to some of Jamaica’s top hotels, resorts and attractions.
American Airlines is kicking of the new nonstop route on Feb. 24, beginning with a pair of weekly flights on its Embraer 175 aircraft.
The new flight continues what has been a key driver of American’s latest Caribbean expansion: using smaller aircraft to service destinations that had previously lacked international flights.
That includes American’s recent launches of service to destinations like Anguilla, Dominica and, more recently, the British Virgin Islands, all of which had never before welcomed international scheduled service from the United States.
The airport gets its name from James Bond creator Ian Fleming, who wrote all of the Bond novels at his Goldeneye estate in nearby Oracabessa, a property that is now a luxury resort and part of Chris Blackwell’s Island Outpost collection.
In a nice touch, the flight number will be, rather appropriately, 007.
Goldeneye is one of a number of top resorts in greater Ocho Rios, from the legendary Jamaica Inn to the popular Sandals Royal Plantation and Couples Tower Isle.
American Airlines says it will be running more than 100 flights every week to Jamaica this winter season.
Ocho Rios is American’s third destination in Jamaica, joining Kingston and Montego Bay.
While Montego Bay and Ocho Rios are both on the north coast, the driving team between Mobay and Ochi is about two hours — meaning the new flight will significantly reduce travel times for those looking to vacation in the area.