JetBlue Will Stop Flying to the Caribbean Island of Bonaire Starting in January

JetBlue launched its first-ever flights to the Caribbean island of Bonaire back in November of 2024, a major addition for an island that was already seeing record-breaking tourism numbers. 

But the landmark route will soon be shutting down, Caribbean Journal has learned. 

Beginning Jan. 3, 2026, the New York-Bonaire nonstop flight will be shutting down. 

So what caused the cut? 

Bonaire tourism officials say it was a combination of factors, including “limited structural funding for ongoing marketing support” and load factors averaging below 60 percent, among other reasons. 

According to Tourism Corporation Bonaire, the decision was a mutual one. 

So what if you have flights booked after that date? JetBlue will be reaching out about either refund options or rebooking choices. 

It’s a significant setback for the island, which has been seeing sizzling tourism numbers for most of the past several years — but since the most recent change in government has seemed to put tourism on the back burner — despite it being the island’s chief economic driver. That likely contributed to the underwhelming response to the JetBlue flights — which should have been a golden opportunity for the island. 

It’s a shame, as travelers were beginning to discover — in droves — just how cool a destination Bonaire is, from its buzzing food scene to an excellent slate of hotels (including a newly-rebranded Hilton).

So what are the remaining options if you’re looking for a vacation to Bonaire? Well, from the New York area, you can still fly on United’s nonstop route between Newark and Bonaire (it costs about $291 roundtrip). 

There are other alternatives if you’re in different markets, including American Airlines’ Miami service to Bonaire; Delta from Atlanta; and United’s once-weekly flights from Houston, among others.