Summary
The Caribbean remains one of the most popular holiday destinations for residents of the U.K. and Ireland, notably the islands that are (or formerly were) part of the Commonwealth. Here is information on the airlines that offer flights between Great Britain, Ireland, and the islands of the Caribbean.
British Airways
British Airways has more flights to more destinations in the Caribbean than any other U.K. airline. Service includes flights from London/Heathrow to Nassau, Bahamas, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, and Grand Cayman. It also offers flights between London/Gatwick and Bermuda, Kingston (Jamaica), Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Kitts, Grenada, Trinidad, and Tobago. Their newer flights encompass Montego Bay, Jamaica, Punta Cana, and the Dominican Republic.
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic, under the ownership of Sir Richard Branson who has a private island home in the British Virgin Islands, has a growing presence at airports around the Caribbean. It provides service between London/Gatwick and Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Havana, Kingston, and Montego Bay in Jamaica, St. Lucia, and Tobago.
The Caribbean via U.S. Airlines
Not every Caribbean destination has direct service. Thus, U.K. travelers bound for the Caribbean should also evaluate routes and prices on flights operated by U.S. airlines like American, Delta, Continental, and US Airways, which serve U.K. airports. American Airlines is particularly notable as it is the largest airline in the Caribbean, offering flights from Heathrow to Miami, a major hub for Caribbean connections. Flights from New York/JFK also connect to Bermuda, while connections through Continental from Gatwick and Edinburgh facilitate routes to Trinidad, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. Moreover, Delta Air Lines connects Heathrow and Manchester to the Bahamas via Atlanta.
First Choice/Thomson Airlines
First Choice’s merger with Thomson led to a combined tour company and Thomson Airlines, which provides direct and charter seasonal service to Aruba, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and the Mexican Caribbean.
Thomas Cook Airlines
Thomas Cook, a well-known tour operator, operates its airline with seasonal service to Caribbean destinations including Puerto Plata and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, as well as Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Cancun, Mexico.
Caribbean Airlines
Trinidad-based Caribbean Airlines offers codeshare service between London Gatwick and Bridgetown, Barbados, in partnership with British Airways. This provides reliable connections to Port of Spain, Antigua, and St. Maarten/Martin, along with codeshare options with British Airways extending to Europe and beyond.
Air Jamaica
Air Jamaica operates codeshare flights with Virgin Atlantic between London Gatwick and Montego Bay and Kingston, allowing for seamless travel throughout the Caribbean region.
Inter-Island Flights
Depending on your desired destination, inter-island flights may be necessary. Liat is the primary inter-island airline, known for its sporadic flight schedules. It is advisable to consult with tour operators to ensure your airfare aligns with your travel needs for a Caribbean trip. Additionally, travelers should be mindful that inter-island flights can be quite costly. For more economical travel, opt for islands with direct flight options.
