Flights To Jamaica Are Becoming More Expensive Due To High Demand

Last Updated 1 year ago

It’s no secret that Jamaica is a stunning landscape that attracts visitors from all over the world. With the decline of Covid-19 and related restrictions, tourism in Jamaica has seen a large influx of bookings for travelers eager to enjoy all that the country has to offer. Just recently, Jamaica was ranked number one for bookings this summer for U.S. travelers, with Montego Bay being named one of the top destinations. Jamaica’s appeal is nothing new.

The country has seen its total visitor count steadily increase year after year. Covid-19 took a toll on the world, and Jamaica was no exception. In 2019 Jamaica welcomed about 4.2 million visitors, and in 2020 Covid reduced that number to 1.3 million.

Now that restrictions are being reduced and Covid is becoming less of a threat, travelers are coming back in droves. Many people have not had a proper vacation since the onset of the pandemic and are more than ready to let loose and forget about their troubles on the beautiful white sands of Jamaica. Of course, a side effect of this is an increased demand for flights to Jamaica.

Since the onset of Covid, the aviation sector has seen staff shortages, supply chain issues, and inflation. All of which have hindered the capacity for airlines to keep pace with the increase in travel demand. Another factor contributing to increased flight costs that many travelers feel even in their day-to-day lives is the rise in fuel costs. Jet fuel costs are roughly double what they were this time last year. Senior advisor and strategist Delano Seiveright has noted that the lack of adequate response to growing travel demand has contributed to rising airfare.

“For one, many of our airlines simply do not have enough pilots, flight attendants, and ground crew to meet the surging demand, a direct result of the widespread dislocations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Seiveright. “This is, in some respects, limiting the ability of our travel partners to effectively respond to the huge demand for travel and is, unfortunately, contributing to higher prices. Some airline partners shared that they want to put on more flights but, simply, cannot, due to labor shortages and other pandemic-related issues.”

For travelers interested in going to Jamaica, timing their purchase of airline tickets can be a tricky purchase to get right. With rising prices across the board, it can be challenging to know whether to wait and hope prices lower or to go ahead with the purchase. Travelers that live close to certain cities can still expect to be able to get tickets for a reasonable rate. For example, travelers leaving from Miami can take advantage of Frontier Airlines’ service, who just recently announced new flights servicing Kingston, and already have flights servicing other areas such as Montego Bay.

To provide a frame of reference for pricing changes, a few example fares with historical prices are listed:

One Way Los Angeles to Montego Bay with Spirit Airlines (1 stop):
- On April 15^th – $205.00
- On May 5^th – $261.00
One Way Miami to Montego Bay with Frontier Airlines (non-stop):
- On April 15^th – $89.00
- On May 5^th – $89.00
One Way New York to Montego Bay with United Airlines (non-stop):
- On April 15^th – $293
- On May 5^th – $350

As can be seen from the above, flight prices are increasing over time. For travelers near certain cities, such as Miami, prices remain steady for now. Despite the challenges airlines face today, there are still some airlines expanding their services to Jamaica. JetBlue recently announced that it will have 40% more seats operating between the U.S. and Montego Bay than it did in July of 2019 before the effects of the pandemic reached the airline.

With stunning beaches, majestic natural sights like waterfalls and lagoons, and a vibrant culture, many travelers are itching to check Jamaica off their bucket list. Hopeful visitors can still find flight deals, but prices are likely to continue to rise.