AMERICAN AIRLINES ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL SEATS TO ST THOMAS REFLECTING SUCCESSFUL U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM EFFORTS

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (December 8, 2023)— On Wednesday, December 6th, American Airlines announced the addition of a new nonstop flight between Charlotte, North Carolina, and St. Thomas beginning summer 2024.

Rising the ranks as one of the most popular Caribbean destinations, the U.S. Virgin Islands has experienced a steady surge in tourism visitation since summer 2020, increasing through the COVID-19 pandemic and maintaining growth through the post-pandemic industry stabilization.

“This announcement and the continued interest from major airlines as well as hospitality groups is a direct reflection of ongoing efforts from Department of Tourism staff, working to market and showcase the Territory as a premier destination,” explains Joseph Boschulte, U.S. Virgin Islands Commissioner of Tourism. “This is also a testament to the many men and women from our hospitality services who provide top-notch experiences for visitors.”

Bespoke marketing campaigns combined with strategic partnership collaborations have led to a more than 20% overall increase in guest arrivals into the Territory, with a 22% increase in air arrivals to date. Key source markets for the Territory also continue to expand, including more travelers from the American Midwest and Western regions.

“I am proud to see the steady growth of our territory and look forward to continuing to showcase our beautiful islands to the world as the best vacation destination,” added Commissioner Boschulte.

American Airlines’ inclusion of the second daily flight from Charlotte (CLT) in the summer reflects the strong demand for year-round travel into St. Thomas versus the traditional seasonality models, which commonly experience reduced flight patterns.

The projected 2024 summer St. Thomas flight schedule operated by American Airlines will include weekly flights from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Philadelphia (PHL), and New York City (JFK), as well as two daily flights from Miami (MIA). Additional entryway into the Territory from American Airlines comprises of a weekly from Charlotte (CLT) and two daily flights from Miami (MIA) into St. Croix.

For more information about the U.S. Virgin Islands and its offerings, please visit https://www.visitusvi.com/.

About the U.S. Virgin Islands

About 40 miles east of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands comprise a United States territory located in the northeastern Caribbean Sea. The three islands are St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas, where the capital of Charlotte Amalie is located. Perfect for leisure or business travel, the U.S. Virgin Islands features breathtaking, world-renowned beaches, an international marine industry, European architecture, and a burgeoning restaurant industry. No passports are required from U.S. citizens traveling from the U.S. mainland or Puerto Rico. Entry requirements for non-U.S. citizens are equivalent to entering the United States from any international country. Upon departure, a passport is required for non-U.S. citizens. For more information about the United States Virgin Islands, go to www.VisitUSVI.com, follow us on Instagram (@visitusvi) and Twitter (@usvitourism), and become a fan on Facebook (www.facebook.com/VisitUSVI).