American Airlines Is Now Flying a New Route to a Caribbean Island Filled With Beaches, Boutique Hotels and Rum Shops
There are about 1,000 of them on the island. Some say 1,500, some say more. They’re set on side streets, in the heart of town, or right on the beach. And in Barbados, rum shops are an integral part of the culture.
You go in, choose your sugarcane spirit, take it with you and begin conversations that can last all day long, from politics to sports to the essential questions of life.
If you haven’t been to Barbados, a stop at a rum shop is essential. But it’s just a part of a vibrant tapestry of reasons why this Caribbean island is such a fascinating one, from its UNESCO World Heritage Site near Bridgetown to its jaw-dropping beaches and its unique collection of rarefied, lovely, mostly small resorts.
And Barbados just got much easier to visit from the all-important New York market.
American Airlines has officially kicked off its newest route between New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport and Barbados, with service operating every day of the week on Boeing 737 aircraft.
It’s a huge addition for Barbados, which has been making a concerted effort to draw in more American visitors, part of a wider push for the world’s largest airline in the Caribbean for this winter season.
Are you planning a vacation to Barbados? It’s not an island known for its big resorts. In Barbados, the emphasis is on a more intimate stay, on resorts with a boutique-style feel.
That includes properties like Marriott’s The House and Treasure Beach, where we’ve stayed several times and loved our experience every trip.
You can venture out to the raw, rugged landscape of Bathsheba and stay in a historic hotel like the Atlantis, or try an all-inclusive vacation at one of the island’s many all-inclusive hotels. We’re big fans of The Club on the Platinum Coast (something we’ve called the best-kept secret in Barbados), and several hotels on the increasingly hip south coast, among them the O2 Beach Club.
So how much do the new flights cost?
Book a flight in the main cabin and you’ll have prices starting at $535 round trip, and $861 in business class. The flight takes just under five hours.
