In 2024, several airlines compete to dominate the US-Caribbean market, offering various flight options to popular destinations. Based on data from Cirium, an aviation analytics company, here’s a detailed look at which airlines operate the most flights, provide the most seats, and utilize the most available seat miles (ASMs) between the US and the Caribbean.
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JetBlue
JetBlue
Airways is a leading carrier in the US-Caribbean market, operating many flights across the region. According to Cirium, JetBlue is the second-largest operator in this space, running 81,811 flights in 2024. These flights provide 13,946,593 seats and generate an impressive 18,651,151,907 available seat miles (ASMs), reflecting the airline’s extensive network and focus on Caribbean destinations like Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica.
Photo: Robin Guess | Shutterstock
JetBlue’s extensive use of the Airbus A320 family and the fuel-efficient Airbus A220 allows the airline to effectively serve both significant hubs and smaller Caribbean islands. Recently, the airline introduced new non-stop services from New York to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, further solidifying its role as a critical player in the region. This aggressive expansion and high seat count make JetBlue one of the most accessible options for US travelers heading to the Caribbean.
American Airlines
American Airlines
takes the top spot in the US-Caribbean market for 2024, according to Cirium. The airline operates 89,258 flights, offering the highest seats, totaling 14,074,740, and generating 15,084,351,996 ASMs.
American Airlines’ Miami hub serves as a crucial gateway for flights to the Caribbean, offering multiple daily services to popular destinations like the Bahamas, the
Dominican Republic,
and Aruba.
Photo: Minh K Tran | Shutterstock
American utilizes a mix of narrowbody aircraft like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A321 and widebody aircraft on select routes, allowing it to cover various destinations with various demand levels. With this extensive network, American Airlines continues to dominate the US-Caribbean route market, focusing on leisure travelers looking for premium and budget-friendly options.
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Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines ranks third among US carriers serving the Caribbean. Based on data from Cirium, Delta operates 36,464 flights, providing 6,476,743 seats and producing 9,195,238,881 ASMs in 2024.
Delta focuses on high-demand, high-value markets, offering service from major US hubs like Atlanta, New York, and Detroit to destinations such as Jamaica, Aruba, and the Dominican Republic.
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
Delta is known for offering premium services on its Caribbean flights, including first class and Comfort+ options, appealing to leisure travelers seeking a more upscale experience. The airline also utilizes a range of aircraft, including the
Boeing 757
and Airbus A321, on many routes, ensuring flexibility and capacity for different demand levels.
A quick summary of the top players between the US and the Caribbean
|
Airline |
Flights |
Seats |
ASMs |
|---|---|---|---|
|
American Airlines |
89,258 |
14,074,740 |
15,084,351,996 |
|
JetBlue Airways |
81,811 |
13,946,593 |
18,651,151,907 |
|
Delta Air Lines |
36,464 |
6,476,743 |
9,195,238,881 |
|
Cape Air |
32,114 |
289,026 |
18,770,292 |
|
United Airlines |
31,867 |
5,485,509 |
8,983,727,287 |
|
Spirit Airlines |
20,578 |
3,935,050 |
4,666,485,147 |
|
Frontier Airlines |
19,125 |
4,096,344 |
5,193,455,216 |
|
Southwest Airlines |
18,728 |
3,152,984 |
3,477,089,926 |
|
Silver Airways |
12,327 |
670,844 |
121,369,324 |
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines has continued to build its presence in the US-Caribbean market. The carrier operates 18,728 flights to the region in 2024, offering 3,152,984 seats and generating 3,477,089,926 ASMs. The airline’s Caribbean operations focus primarily on budget-conscious travellers, offering affordable services to destinations like
Cancun
, Jamaica, and the Bahamas.
Photo: lorenzatx | Shutterstock
Southwest’s
point-to-point
service model and no-fee policies make it an attractive option for travelers looking to avoid the complexities of connecting flights and extra charges. With flights departing from major US cities like Baltimore, Houston, and Fort Lauderdale, Southwest is cementing its role as a primary carrier for US-Caribbean travel.
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United Airlines
United Airlines also maintains a strong presence in this market, ranking among the top carriers. It operates 31,867 flights, providing 5,485,509 seats and generating 8,983,727,287 ASMs in 2024.
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
United’s Caribbean routes primarily focus on leisure travelers, with flights from its major hubs in Newark and Houston to popular vacation destinations like Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and the
Bahamas
. United’s focus on serving high-demand and niche markets has helped it maintain a solid position in the Caribbean market despite stiff competition from other major US airlines.
Spirit Airlines and Frontier
Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines have expanded their Caribbean offerings in 2024. According to Cirium, Spirit operates 20,578 flights, providing 3,935,050 seats and generating 4,666,485,147ASMs. Meanwhile, Frontier Airlines operates 19,125 flights, offering 4,096,344 seats and producing 5,193,455,216ASMs.
Both airlines cater to budget-conscious travelers looking for affordable flights to popular Caribbean destinations such as the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico. Their low-cost models and increasing demand for leisure travel have allowed them to proliferate in this competitive market.
Cape Air and Silver Airways
Cape Air (9K) and Silver Airways (3M) represent smaller regional airlines that also serve the Caribbean markets, though on a much smaller scale than major US carriers. Cape Air operates 32,114 flights, offering 289,026 seats and generating 18,770,292 ASMs.
Photo: KBP.spotter | Shutterstock
On the other hand, Silver Airways operates 12,327 flights, providing 670,844 seats and producing 121,369,324 ASMs. These airlines primarily focus on connecting smaller Caribbean islands with nearby US cities and more significant hubs, offering essential regional connectivity.
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A highly competitive market
In 2024, the US-Caribbean market has become highly competitive, with major carriers like JetBlue, American, Delta, Southwest, and United leading the way. JetBlue and American, in particular, dominate the market in terms of flight frequency and available seat miles, while budget airlines like Spirit and Frontier continue to increase their presence. The diverse range of carriers ensures that travelers have numerous options to reach their Caribbean destinations, whether they are looking for luxury or budget-friendly flights.