US Airlines Open New Direct Flights from the West Coast to the Caribbean, Raising Expectations for Tourism

The Caribbean is poised for a tourism boom thanks to a surge in direct flights from the US West Coast, according to industry analysts.

Carriers like Alaska Airlines, Cayman Airways and JetBlue have recently launched nonstop routes connecting Los Angeles and Seattle to popular Caribbean destinations.

This eliminates the previously lengthy travel times that often included layovers or overnight connections.

Flying from the West Coast to the Caribbean used to be a full-day ordeal, leading many to choose other destinations like Mexico or Costa Rica. These new direct flights, some of them under six hours, make the Caribbean a much more accessible option for West Coast travelers.

Alaska Airlines now offers nonstop flights from Los Angeles and Seattle to the Caribbean. Cayman Airways has increased its direct service between Los Angeles and Grand Cayman to two every week, with a flight time of approximately 5.5 hours.

JetBlue joined the party with a new direct flight from Los Angeles to Nassau, taking just under six hours each way.

With summer approaching and more travelers seeking sunny getaways, the Caribbean is expected to see a significant boost in tourism from the US West Coast.