Exclusive: BA to launch two new Caribbean routes [Ex-LGW]

bananacake · May 21, 09, 5:13 am

Hopefully of interest to someone

British Airways is launching twice-weekly services from Gatwick to Montego Bay and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic in its winter schedule.

From October 25, the airline is also increasing flights from Gatwick to St Lucia from three to five a week, Barbados, from nine to 10, and Port of Spain, Trinidad, from three to five.

Lead-in return fares will start from £634 to Montego Bay and £559 to Punta Cana, including taxes, fees and charges.

Lead-in return fares to St Lucia start from £553, Barbados from £553 and Port of Spain from £583.80.

“These new routes and increased frequencies underline our commitment to the Caribbean,” said head of sales Richard Tams.

“It’s a popular destination with our customers and it’s due to demand that we’re increasing the number of flights to the region.”

Tickets go on sale tomorrow (Friday).

747lover · May 21, 09, 5:22 am

Very well done. MBJ is back and Dom Rep will be a truly new route. I wonder if, as before, MBJ will be via KIN.

sunrisegirl · May 21, 09, 5:40 am

Glad to have two new long hauls, but Dominican Republic ..............

And we already serve Kingston. MBJ is nothing new, we had that flight years ago and stopped it as the majority of pax went to KIN so why now

Oh well, my dream of FLL just died (where the crying smiley!!)

NotGoingBackToSteerage · May 21, 09, 5:51 am

No MLE then - looks like the lack of bunks has proved right so will limit the options I am sure.

Loads to the Caribbean must be holding though as even in these straitened times there is little reward availability - not even 2 tickets to ANU in Nov in Club

Yield is another matter obviously.....

NGBTS.

Roger · May 21, 09, 6:09 am

Are these additional to the New longhaul routes from LGW!! thread?

747lover · May 21, 09, 6:12 am

I think Premium traffic to the Caribbean has and probably will always be a cash cow.

2 flights last year premium incl WTP+ were chock full whilst economy hardly seated at all.

I think they are 'sure things'.

richardwft · May 21, 09, 6:15 am

Any short haul LGW winter news?

pjoalfa · May 21, 09, 8:22 am

Would it be terribly un-British to say: WOO HOO!!?(PUJ)

pjoalfa · May 21, 09, 8:29 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunrisegirl

Glad to have two new long hauls, but Dominican Republic ..............

And we already serve Kingston. MBJ is nothing new, we had that flight years ago and stopped it as the majority of pax went to KIN so why now

Oh well, my dream of FLL just died (where the crying smiley!!)

Dom Rep has a boatload of British tourists previously flying only charters from UK. FLL is only a short drive from MIA, shorter than MBJ to KIN. We in the Dom Rep have to drive a little farther to find BA.

I couldn't be more delighted.

sunrisegirl · May 21, 09, 8:32 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjoalfa

Dom Rep has a boatload of British tourists previously flying only charters from UK. FLL is only a short drive from MIA, shorter than MBJ to KIN. We in the Dom Rep have to drive a little farther to find BA.

I couldn't be more delighted.

Shouldn't that be row

I'm glad you're delighted and look forward to seeing you pass through LGW later this year.

Although I know MIA and FLL are only a short driving distance, the MIA is much busier a route than the KIN which is why I'm surprised we've got MBJ back (and let's not even remember how bad security is there - recent hijacking of Canadian airline). Oh well, I'm sure there's logic behind it somewhere, I just hope I'm wrong in thinking what that logic might be.

pjoalfa · May 21, 09, 8:54 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunrisegirl

Shouldn't that be row

You haven't seen my car

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunrisegirl

how bad security is there -

We can oblige with that as well (though no hijacking) - last month we had a whole entrance to the airside zone completely unmanned requiring an AA pilot to insist on clearing the terminal (they apparently didn't want to).