Forbes: American Airlines Launches First-Ever Flights To Bimini, Opening Access To One Of The Bahamas’ Most Beautiful Islands
The island of Bimini has always been close. Now, it’s even closer.
Starting today, American Airlines is launching a new route connecting travelers from Miami to Bimini, the closest island in The Bahamas to South Florida, located just 50 miles east of Miami.
With three-times-weekly service between Miami International Airport (MIA) and South Bimini Airport (BIM), the route will have passengers on the beaches of Bimini in under an hour. Until now, the island was only accessible from the U.S. via private charter or scheduled charter service on small aircraft. The inaugural flight marks the first scheduled commercial service to link the U.S. mainland directly with the island.
Bimini’s proximity has always made it a popular destination with visitors, especially those traveling from South Florida. However, the lack of direct flights from the United States has meant the island has primarily been a destination for boaters, who typically make the roughly two-hour journey by private boat or ferry. Direct flights now saving visitors a layover in capital city of The Bahamas, Nassau.
The Valentine’s Day, February 14th launch date of the new service was an intentional; a press release by American Airlines announcing the new route calls it “a new way to fall in love with the Bahamas.” Round-trip flights between the airline’s Miami hub and the island are currently scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, allowing travelers to connect to Bimini from more than 80 destinations across North America.
The new flights comes at a time of unprecedented growth for tourism to The Bahamas, which saw a 11.4% growth in arrivals in 2025 over the previous year. The destination has now surpassed its pre-pandemic visitor arrival levels by a striking 70%.
To meet the growing demand, American Airlines will make Bimini the seventh island in the Bahamas it serves. This winter, the airline will operate over 30 daily flights to the Bahamas, more than any other U.S. airline.
For destinations like Resorts World Bimini, the new flights are a major win for the island. “This is a huge milestone for Bimini and an opportunity to step into the spotlight as one of The Bahamas’ most exciting destinations,” said Robert DeSalvio, president of Genting Americas East, which operates Resorts World Bimini and other Resorts World properties across the Americas.
“This new airlift opens the door for more guests to discover the island’s natural beauty and laidback lifestyle, only made better by the world-class amenities and unmatched vacation experience that we’re able to offer at Resorts World Bimini.”
Though the tiny island offers everything from AirBnbs to boutique hotels, Resorts World Bimini is the largest resort of its kind, with an array of resort-style amenities that have long made it a favorite with travelers. The property features everything from oceanfront suites to private beachfront villas, set back from an expansive beachfront complete with pools, a casino, and multiple restaurants.
Resort World Bimini recently added Fisherman’s Village to its nearly five-acre property, a mixed use dining and shopping space that is particularly appealing to boaters, who can pull up at its 136-slip marina and clear customs directly.
Bimini is a popular place for boaters seeking a weekend escape from South Florida, but it is universally beloved for its white-sand beaches and stunningly clear waters. It’s also renowned for its world-class sport fishing and underwater gems like coral reefs, historic shipwrecks like the SS Sapona, and the mysterious Bimini Road.
Now, “paradise is just 30 minutes from takeoff to touch down,” says DeSalvio. With the high season for travel across the Caribbean coming into full swing, the timing couldn’t be better.
SIGN IN
BOOK NOW
