American Airlines Is Launching Flights to a Caribbean Island Famous for Beaches, Fishing, and Ernest Hemingway
There’s a place in the Bahamas where the water seems even clearer, the fishing even better, and the history even more storied (one that includes legendary visits by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.) It’s Bimini, the closest Bahamian island to the United States, long known for its deep-sea fishing, Hemingway lore, and some of the most beautiful beaches in the archipelago.
And now, getting there is about to get a whole lot easier.
Starting Feb. 14, 2026, American Airlines will launch nonstop service between Miami International Airport and South Bimini International Airport.
The new route will operate three times weekly, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, with dual-class Embraer 175 aircraft offering both premium and economy cabins.
For visitors, that means a quick 50-minute (realistically, less than that) hop from Miami to the Out Islands of the Bahamas — and a seamless escape to one of the region’s most fascinating destinations.
It also means a big boost for a destination that is quietly seeing new energy and new investment — including a highly-anticipated new Banyan Tree-branded project.
A Growing Bahamas Network
This move also cements American Airlines’ leadership in the Bahamas. With the addition of Bimini, American will serve seven destinations in the country, more than any other U.S. airline.
“At American we are proud to further solidify our position as the leading U.S. airline in the Bahamas with an operation and network that is unmatched, reaching next year seven destinations,” said José A. Freig, Vice President of International and Inflight Dining Operations, in a statement provided to Caribbean Journal. “Bimini is quickly emerging as a must-visit destination and our new Miami route will ensure tourism remains a strong economic engine for the island and the Bahamas as a whole.”
This winter, American will operate more than 30 peak daily flights to the Bahamas, an 18 percent increase compared to last year. Along with the new Bimini service, the airline remains the only U.S. carrier flying to Governor’s Harbour and Freeport, while also adding extra holiday frequencies to Marsh Harbour and North Eleuthera.
Why Bimini?
Bimini is world-famous for its big-game fishing, its world-class bonefishing, its pristine beaches, and its connection to Ernest Hemingway, who spent several years here and immortalized the island in his Islands in the Stream. Today, travelers come for a mix of adventure and tranquility, whether it’s diving with hammerhead sharks, exploring shipwrecks, or simply unwinding on soft sand that feels far removed from the everyday.
Where to Stay in Bimini
Two standout hotels anchor the island’s hospitality scene. Resorts World Bimini is a full-service beachfront resort with a casino, marina, and multiple pools, making it a hub for both relaxation and entertainment. For a more boutique, dive-focused experience, the historic Bimini Big Game Club Resort & Marina offers laid-back accommodations and direct access to some of the island’s top fishing and diving adventures. And did we mention it’s also home to the island’s best pizza?
Now, with American’s new Miami-Bimini route, that legendary island is just one short flight away.
What the Flights Cost
It’s still a ways out, but flights from Miami to Bimini on American Airlines are starting at around $691 per person in the Main Cabin, according to the airline’s website.
Karen Udler is the Deputy Travel Editor of Caribbean Journal. A graduate of Duke University, has been traveling across the Americas for three decades. First an expert on Latin American travel, Karen has been traveling with CJ for more than a decade. She likes to focus on wellness, luxury travel and food.
