American Airlines touches down in Bimini

This Valentine’s Day marked a historic milestone for The Bahamas as Bimini Airport welcomed American Airlines’ inaugural flight from Miami International Airport (MIA), establishing the first direct mainline commercial air service connecting the U.S. mainland to Bimini.

Located just 50 miles east of Miami, Bimini is the closest Bahamian island to South Florida, with a flight time of under one hour. The new route offers travelers unprecedented convenience, providing three‑times‑weekly service between Miami International Airport and South Bimini Airport (BIM).

Until now, travelers could reach Bimini from the United States by private boat or ferry, but by air, the island was accessible only through private charters or limited charter flights on small aircraft. With American Airlines’ new service, passengers can now enjoy direct commercial flights from Miami, and easy connections from over 80 destinations on American Airlines’ global flight network, making the journey to Bimini faster and more convenient than ever.

Round‑trip flights between American’s Miami hub and the island are currently scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. With this addition, American Airlines now serves seven islands across The Bahamas. This winter, the airline will operate more than 30 daily flights to the country—more than any other U.S. carrier.

Bimini Airport Development Partners (BADP), which assumed operations of the airport in May 2024 under a long‑term public‑private partnership with the Airport Authority of The Bahamas, is leading significant upgrades to the facilities, which supported the launch of this new service. Major airside enhancements have been substantially completed, improving safety, capacity, and regulatory compliance. Construction is underway on a new, world‑class terminal building featuring an expanded departures lounge, scheduled to open in Summer 2026.

BADP is a consortium that includes Plenary Americas, Phoenix Infrastructure, and Avports.

“This launch represents far more than a new route to Bimini,” said Mike Schutt, Senior Vice President & Group Co-head at Plenary Americas and Director at BADP. “Direct commercial service from Miami expands access for visitors and supports the island’s long-term growth and prosperity. As we continue modernizing the airport with world-class facilities, we’re proud to help unlock new opportunities for Bimini and The Bahamas.”