Frontier Airlines is launching a seasonal nonstop route between Chicago, Illinois, United States’ Midway International Airport (MDW) and Montego Bay, Jamaica’s Sangster International Airport (MBJ). Frontier Airlines now has 12 routes fanning out of Sangster International Airport back to the United States as one of America's leading ultra low-cost carriers – not just Denver.
Connecting Chicago to Caribbean vacations
As Daniel Shurz, senior vice president of commercial, Frontier Airlines, said in a February 25 airline statement;
"We’re thrilled to provide those in Chicagoland convenient and affordable travel to one of the most popular vacation destinations in the Caribbean. We know Jamaica is a favorite among Chicagoans, and we’re excited to offer ‘Low Fares Done Right’ to escape the winter cold for some fun and excitement in Montego Bay."
For Commissioner Jamie L. Rhee of the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA), the Chicago City Government department that operates Midway International Airport, this nonstop seasonal connection will raise Chicago’s profile. As Rhee explained;
This new seasonal service to Jamaica will further connect Chicago to a long list of tropical destinations during our winter and spring seasons and bolster our status as one of the world's best-connected international hub cities.
It’s also worth noting that fellow ultra low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines also makes the same nonstop flight as part of growing United States connections to Jamaica. In fact, Midway International Airport is a key hub for the airline.
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Gratitude from Jamaica
First, as the Jamaican Minister, the Honourable Edmund Bartlett considered this new service as “A testament both to our strong partnership and the continued strong interest in Jamaica as a destination for US travelers,” according to the February 27, 2023, South Florida Caribbean News. This gratitude would go down the chain of command.
For instance, the president and CEO of Airports Authority of Jamaica Audley Deidrick said in a February 24, 2023, Sangster International Airport statement;
Frontier’s stated vision that ‘the skies are for everyone,’ backed up by their ‘commitment to families through low fares,’ while making sure they offer service ‘done right’ for an ‘enjoyable’ experience, makes them a perfect fit for Jamaica’s travel and tourism product.
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The airport CEO Shane Munroe also expressed in the February 24 statement gratitude for “the unwavering commitment of Frontier Airlines to expanding and enhancing its service offerings to Montego Bay.”
The new route
Granted, Frontier Airlines will route you on most dates through Denver to make the Chicago-Montego Bay connection. This is as the flight is once weekly. As the airline made clear in its statement:
Frequency and times are subject to change."
Nonetheless, a direct route takes 1,706 miles and three hours, thirty-six minutes to complete. Frontier Airlines will use one of their Airbus A320neos to make the trip. When unveiled, the A320neos Frontier Airlines ordered came with new upgraded seats plus increased fuel efficiency.
About Sangster International Airport
Sangster International Airport is a single-runway airport with Runway 07/25 that is 8,704 feet or 2,653 meters long and comes with an Instrument Landing System (ILS). According to the airport website, the airport can handle 4,200 passengers per hour.
Furthermore, in 2022 the airport accepted 4,404,134 passengers with 37,957 aircraft landings and take-offs. The airport also uses biomass and even curfew hours to reduce its environmental impact.
Do you plan on visiting Jamaica with this route? Would you fly on Frontier Airlines or Southwest Airlines to visit Jamaica? Please share in the comments with civility.
Sources: Sangster International Airport, South Florida Caribbean News