American adds 2 new Caribbean routes, goes up against Delta, JetBlue
American Airlines is growing in the Caribbean with two new routes.
The Fort Worth-based carrier filed plans over the weekend to add flights from New York and Philadelphia to Bridgetown, Barbados, as first seen in Cirium schedules and later confirmed by a carrier spokesperson.
New daily service from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) begins on Nov. 5, followed by once-weekly, Saturday-only flights from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) on Nov. 9. American will deploy a Boeing 737-800 from New York and an Airbus A321 from Philadelphia.
While these routes are new to the airline's schedule, both flights are technically resumptions.
Service from JFK was last operated by American in 2014, Cirium schedules show. Interestingly, US Airways used to operate flights to Barbados from Philadelphia, but those were suspended in April 2010 — three years before the merger between American and US Airways was announced.
In fact, in a nod to the airline's history of serving Barbados, American chose two special flight numbers for the New York service.
The first American Airlines flight to Barbados was on Nov. 1, 1975. It departed JFK as Flight 585, operated by a Boeing 707. So, American's new outbound flight will operate as Flight 585, and the return will operate as Flight 707.
American's new flights to Bridgetown will complement the airline's existing service to Barbados from Miami and Charlotte. "This winter, we'll operate up to three daily flights from Miami and one from CLT alongside the JFK/PHL service for up to six peak-day flights this winter – the most of any U.S. carrier," American spokesperson Jay Singh said in a statement to TPG.
While American has long been the biggest U.S. network carrier in the Caribbean, these new Barbados flights might actually be coming in response to competitive pressure from Delta Air Lines.
Earlier this month, Delta unveiled four new routes to the Caribbean. This announcement included news that the airline would reopen its outstation in Barbados for the first time since 2017.
Delta plans daily flights from Atlanta and once-weekly flights from New York starting in November.
Of course, American's daily schedule from New York will likely have broader appeal than Delta's once-weekly service. Plus, American's four routes from the U.S. should give travelers plenty of connecting opportunities beyond its hubs in Charlotte, Miami, New York and Philadelphia.
Meanwhile, for years, JetBlue has been the biggest carrier between New York and Bridgetown. United and Caribbean Airlines both serve this market, but JetBlue's three peak daily flights offer a much more robust schedule for travelers.
JetBlue even operates some of its poshest Airbus A321s, outfitted with a 16-seat Mint business-class cabin, to Bridgetown.
With all this new competition, it'll be interesting to see what happens to fares and availabilities. Hopefully, this will be good news for travelers, who will enjoy more frequent sales than ever before.
Related reading:
- Your ultimate guide to American Airlines AAdvantage
- Best credit cards for American Airlines flyers
- What is American Airlines elite status worth?
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- Everything you need to know about flying basic economy on American Airlines
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees