If there’s one good thing to come out of the massive wave of tourism happening right now, it’s the fact that airlines, in an effort to keep up with the ever-growing demand, are constantly launching new, budget-friendly routes to some of the world’s most coveted hotspots.
The latest to come out with three exciting flights to the Caribbean is Southwest, the biggest low-cost carrier in the country.
So, if you’re still planning that dream summer vacation, keep reading – The Bahamas, Cayman Islands, and Turks and Caicos just became that much easier to reach.
Cayman Islands
I want to start off by saying that since so many travelers are choosing Orlando as their gateway to the Caribbean, that’s where Southwest will be launching its three newest routes, which will start operating on June 4th.
The first destination to enjoy increased connectivity is one of the region’s most criminally underrated hubs – the Cayman Islands.
This summer, you’ll be able to make the ~2.5-hour flight from Orlando National Airport to Owen Roberts International Airport (in Grand Cayman) paying just $454 for a round-trip ticket – and that’s the first direct route ever to connect the two hubs, so the reasonable price is far from the only thing you’ll want to get excited for.
Just think about lounging on the pristine sands of Seven Mile Beach, swimming with stingrays at Stingray City, and exploring the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park.
If that doesn’t sound like a dream vacation, I don’t know what does.
The Bahamas
Next up, we have what’s arguably one of the Caribbean’s most consistently coveted destinations – The Bahamas.
If you, too, want to experience the postcard-looking beaches that have filled up your social media feeds these past few years, you can now fly to Nassau, the country’s proud capital, every single day from Orlando International Airport.
Now, while we know that this new route will also start operating on June 4th, it’s still a bit unclear whether it’ll continue to operate year-round.
What I can say for sure, though, is that it’ll be available at least until August, so those planning their summer vacation – book away!
Turks And Caicos
The last trendy hotspot to be serviced by Southwest this summer is none other than Turks and Caicos, a once-underrated hotspot that is finally emerging as one of the Caribbean’s fastest-growing destinations.
Again, this is part of the group of routes launching on June 4th, so keep your eyes peeled.
The round-trip flight between Orlando and Providenciales (one of the archipelago’s dreamiest islands) is set to cost $463, helping you save plenty on your travel budget for accommodation, food, or fun experiences.
Why Are These Routes Worth Booking?
As exciting as these new routes are, some of you might be wondering – what’s so special about them? Especially considering the fact that some current flights between, say, Orlando and Turks and Caicos are actually cheaper than the Southwest rate.
Well, for starters, these new routes have made it that much easier for Southwest travelers to reach A-List or A-List Preferred status.
Combine that with the fact that Southwest famously doesn’t charge fees and lets you check up to two bags for free, the ~$50 you might save by booking the cheapest current option (if even that, considering that you’ll probably end up paying more on add-ons), isn’t all that worth it.
Beyond that, some of these routes, like the Orlando-Grand Cayman one, for example, are truly one of a kind, giving travelers the opportunity to fly directly to their destination of choice for the first time ever.
I also want to note that while these are three of Southwest’s most exciting new flights, they’re far from the only ones coming this summer.
The group of routes launching on June 4th alone also includes connections between Orlando International Airport and Cancun, Punta Cana, and San José, so definitely check out the carrier’s website for more info (pricing, schedules, and so on).
Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that while Southwest is a budget airline with lots of controversies that color its past, the fact that it still manages to go head in head in terms of punctuality with higher-end competitors and consistently makes its way into the top 5 U.S. airlines with the least delays (1, 2, 3) is nothing short of impressive (and, frankly, gives you some much-needed peace of mind).
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