JetBlue Is Expanding Flights to Fort Lauderdale. Here’s What It Means for Travel to the Caribbean.
JetBlue is expanding its presence at Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport this winter, adding new routes and restoring key connections that strengthen its role as a primary gateway to the Caribbean.
Beginning in late October and continuing through December, JetBlue will launch new service from Norfolk, Virginia and Tampa, Florida, while bringing back flights from major feeder markets like Atlanta and Austin. The expansion includes daily service from Tampa and Austin, five weekly flights from Norfolk, and daily service from Atlanta.
These additions will help funnel more travelers into JetBlue’s growing Caribbean network through Fort Lauderdale.
JetBlue is also increasing its premium Mint service from Fort Lauderdale, adding more daily flights to Las Vegas, Phoenix and Los Angeles. That brings the total number of Mint-equipped flights from Fort Lauderdale to 13 per day this winter.
Expanded Connectivity to the Caribbean
JetBlue currently operates nonstop flights from Fort Lauderdale to several major Caribbean destinations. These include Nassau in The Bahamas; Montego Bay and Kingston in Jamaica; Punta Cana and Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic; and San Juan and Aguadilla in Puerto Rico.
This network already positions Fort Lauderdale as one of the most connected U.S. airports for Caribbean travel. With the new domestic routes feeding into it, JetBlue is increasing schedule flexibility and opening up new one-stop options to the Caribbean from regions like the Gulf Coast, the mid-Atlantic, and the South.
For example, travelers in Norfolk will now be able to reach Montego Bay or Punta Cana with a single connection, depending on timing. The restored routes from Atlanta and Austin also give JetBlue more control over its Caribbean feed, helping the airline meet growing demand while improving connectivity across its route map. Austin in particular has been an increasingly important source market for Caribbean travel.
What It Means for Caribbean-Bound Travelers
For travelers planning a Caribbean vacation, the Fort Lauderdale expansion means more departure cities, easier connections, and more flight options throughout the day.
Travelers in cities like Norfolk, Tampa, Atlanta and Austin will now have faster and more reliable ways to reach Caribbean destinations with a single stop. The increased frequency of domestic flights feeding into Fort Lauderdale makes you can more easily build seamless itineraries — with less time on layovers and more flexibility to choose preferred arrival times.
For those coming from the West Coast, the added Mint flights to and from Fort Lauderdale make longer travel days more comfortable — not a small thing when you’re thinking about choosing between Hawaii and the Caribbean. JetBlue’s premium cabin adds another layer of convenience for travelers connecting from Los Angeles, Las Vegas or Phoenix before continuing to the islands.
As JetBlue grows its Caribbean network through Fort Lauderdale, travelers across the U.S. will have more options and better access to the region, just in time for the winter peak.
It also reinforces JetBlue’s long-standing strategy of making Fort Lauderdale a central hub for Caribbean service. With added feeder routes and premium options now in place, the carrier is building a more resilient and flexible travel network that directly benefits the Caribbean.