American Airlines Launches New Nonstop Flights To The Bahamas

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Already thinking of your next long weekend in the Tropics, but you’ve had enough of the bog-standard Cancuns, Punta Canas, and all the other rinse-and-repeat resort hubs of this world?

Buckle up, cause this time, American Airlines is flying you to an up-and-coming chain of sparsely-populated islands in the Bahamas that were previously accessible to Americans more easily through certain cruise itineraries.

Bimini is the closest point between the tropical archipelago-country and America, some 130 miles northwest of Nassau, and a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it paradise packed full of virtually deserted white-sand beaches and turquoise lagoons.

Now, it’s a short 52 min international flight from Miami:

Miami To South Bimini In Under 1 Hour!

This month, American Airlines launched the first-ever Miami-South Bimini flights, with a weekly frequency of 3 flights per week.

Capped at under an hour, it is one of the shortest international routes in the region, thanks to the proximity between South Florida and the chain of islands in question.

It’s not like Bimini is some off-path, remote island getaway for Floridians: it’s always been somewhat popular with Americans living in the southern tip of the Sunshine State for weekend boating trips, or even guided day excursions.

While there have been nonstop flights from Fort Lauderdale to North Bimini for a while now, the new nonstop route will open up access to the archipelago to Miami-based travelers, as well as vacationers from the whole country.

After all, who’s never used Miami International Airport (MIA) as a transit hub to reach a tropical island before?

Now, most U.S. citizens will not need to book a spot on an expensive semi-private boat or first touch down in Nassau, then board an intra-Bahamas ferry or flight to Bimini.

More Information On The Flights

Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming route:

Flying From Miami (MIA) To South Bimini (BIM)

• Flight time: 52 min
• Frequency: 3x weekly (Monday, Wednesday, Saturday)
• Departure time (MIA): 11:00 a.m.
• Arrival time (BIM): 11:52 a.m.
• Aircraft: Embraer 175
• Seats: Economy (62), First Class (11)
• Average roundtrip fare: starting from $318–$380 (Economy)

Why Visit Bimini?

Bimini comprises two main islands, North and South Bimini, and several more tiny islets and cays in the vicinity. Overall, it’s home to only 2,000 people.

Needless to say, it’s not your average resort destination, with larger-than-life resorts and entertainment zones.

Picture long, white-sand beaches backed by tall palm trees, crystal-clear waters, and quaint fishing villages untouched by the tourist hordes.

South Bimini is best known for its relaxed pace and fewer crowds, but let’s see whether it holds the fort and stays the peaceful paradise it’s always been now that nonstop flights from Miami have launched, or whether fast-paced development is on the horizon.

As for North Bimini, it’s home to Alice Town, the archipelago’s main settlement, with the highest concentration of restaurants, hotels, and facilities catering to visitors. It’s also serviced by nonstop flights from Fort Lauderdale (operated by Tropic Ocean Airways).

Bimini Is The Perfect Weekend Getaway

Whether you land in North (coming from FLL) or South Bimini (from MIA), you can island-hop around the region quite easily: both landmasses are separated by just about 7 miles of water, and there are numerous ways to bridge the ocean divide.

Frequent small boats run between the islands, particularly from Alice Town (North), to the main resort zones in South Bimini, and this takes around 15–20 minutes.

Alternatively, you can rent a private boat, or even kayak around the archipelago if you’re feeling particularly adventurous.

Of course, if your primary goal is to touch down in South Bimini, head to the nearest unruffled beach, bury your feet in the sand, and indulge in that Bahamian bliss for the whole weekend, flying directly from Miami to BIM is most convenient.

On top of that, the schedule jives perfectly with the profile of a traveler who’s got Bimini on their radar:

Wednesday outbound and Monday return flights are spot-on for spring break or long-weekend escapes, and the spaced-out flight days even work for longer-term visitors slotting Bimini into a bigger Bahamas adventure.

Craving some island time? Book your flights from Miami to South Bimini directly with American Airlines here.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.