Airlines serving Bermuda

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Airlines serving Bermuda

Six American, one British and 2 Canadian carriers provide regular scheduled services

To refer to this web file, please use "bermuda-online.org/airlines.htm" as your Subject.

In 2009/2010 the Bermuda Government paid out approximately $1.9 million to airlines over three years when they failed to meet their revenue projections, in accordance with the minimum revenue agreements Government entered into with airlines flying to Bermuda dating back to 2007. Between November 2007 and March 2008 US Airways failed to meet its revenue target for a Washington DC flight to the Island, resulting in Government paying the airline $952,300 for the six-month period. Between January and March 31 2008 Government entered into a partnership agreement to guarantee 17 JetBlue seats on flights from JFK Airport, in New York, to help ensure a 75 percent load factor. This meant Government was liable to pay the airline its revenue shortfall of $222,669. The JetBlue Boston service also failed to reach its revenue target between May and July 2009, which resulted in Government paying them $195,800. In 2008 Government paid more than $500,000 to United Airlines for its revenue shortfall for its seasonal Chicago service. A revenue agreement was made with American Airlines for its Miami flight however it met revenue targets and Government was not required to pay out any money. In 2010 Government has agreed to pay $1.5 million if the American Airlines Miami flight does not meet its revenue target. It is assumed the WestJet Toronto service from May 2010 will also be revenue-guaranteed.

Airlines have a uniform policy of building into their fares structure wherever they go a standard formula for the cost of doing business there. They use a system based on net operating ratio per territory they cover, with its impact on net operating revenues and net operating expenses. In airport user charges and taxes and fuel costs for refueling locally, they pay vastly more per square mile for a place of Bermuda's total geographical size for their airport and city offices and other services than anywhere else they go. Government airport fees are midway in the world's list of airports including the world's busiest and/or biggest, yet don't offer any of the same price advantages to travelers in air tickets that the latter do. Major reasons for all these costs to consumers - taxpayers, visitors and airlines - is the cost of the Bermuda Government including its 47 legislators in 21 square miles - each Member of Parliament has a constituency of less than 2 square miles and less than 2,000 registered voters on average. Also, there is an army of government employees, Bermuda's biggest single employer by a huge margin, with more people on the government payroll by far than any other country in the world per square mile. Airline tickets are by far and away the most expensive in the world per square mile to any destination. The airport departure tax payable to the Bermuda Government is by far the highest in the world per square mile of Bermuda.

These, not airlines' overcharging, are main reasons why the cost of flying from New York, etc. to the Bahamas is just over half the cost of flying from New York to Bermuda, yet Bermuda is so much closer to New York than the Bahamas. Barbados is so much further from New York and London than Bermuda, yet it is far less expensive to fly to Barbados, from the USA, Canada, United Kingdom and Europe. Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands - St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John's - are so much further from the US East Coast than Bermuda, yet they are far less expensive to get there than Bermuda. The factors that limit airlines from coming are not bureaucracy or monopoly but the market-force laws of supply and demand, the costs versus the returns. The market is simply not big enough for them. What is bad - and this time is no fault of the Bermuda Government - is that British Airways charges passengers originating from the UK more than twice the fares of passengers originating from Bermuda.

Airlines flying from Bermuda are not required under Bermuda law, as they are required in the UK since January 2008 and Europe earlier under their laws, to include compulsory taxes and charges in their headline prices.

Bermuda has no airline of its own - although this was not always the case - see Bermuda's Aviation Pioneers. The last one was Eagle Airlines (Bermuda) Ltd in the late 1950s.

Bermudians and locals going to the UK and elsewhere should be aware that British and other airlines flying out of UK airports have devised new ways to levy extra charges on passengers, including on luggage; putting it in a hold; handling fees on bookings, etc.

Bermuda's location

It is NOT in the Caribbean. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) refers to it rightly as in North America. Bermuda is 568 miles east of North Carolina, 693 miles south east of New York (with direct daily connections by air), 729 miles south of Nova Scotia (with a seasonal once-weekly direct connection by air), 770 miles south east of Boston (with a direct daily connection by air), 788 miles north east of Nassau (no direct connection by air but via the USA), 1115 miles south east of Toronto (with a direct daily connection by air), 1290 miles north of Puerto Rico (no direct connection by air but via the USA), 2055 miles from Winnipeg (no direct connection by air but via Toronto) and 2996 miles from London, England (with a direct six times a week in summer and three times a week in winter connection by air).

Bermuda has scheduled commercial flights to/from Atlanta; Baltimore; Boston MA Logan (BOS); Charlotte/Douglas, NC, high season; Chicago-O'Hare (ORD), high season; Fort Lauderdale, seasonal; Halifax; London Gatwick (6.75 to 7.75 hours); Miami International (MIA); Munich (high season: New York (JFK); NYC Newark (EWR); New York - La Guardia (LGA); Philadelphia, PA (PHL); Toronto; Washington DC (DCA) and Washington-Dulles.

There are no commercial scheduled direct flights between Bermuda and any of the Caribbean islands. Going via the USA or Canada are the only ways.

Non-stop service to Bermuda by these airlines

Airport closes at night

Bermuda International Airport closes at night after the last flight. Under no circumstances are any passengers allowed to sleep there overnight. When it closes, all facilities - restrooms, etc. - close as well. Security guards enforce the closure. All are expected to go home or to an hotel.

Seniors and disabled rate and facilities

Seniors - over 60 for British Airways - get a 10% discount on apex Economy British Airways fares. Also on Air Canada. For the registered permanently physically disabled of Bermuda, The Bermuda Physically Handicapped Association is trying to get the same rate from the airlines as for seniors.

There are no airport jet ways in Bermuda so passengers in wheelchairs or who cannot mount and dismount aircraft steps unaided should ask ahead of time for airline assistance when arriving and departing. If they ask ahead of time from the airline concerned or travel agency, disabled passengers may be able to obtain bulkhead (but not exit row) seats and certain other relevant services.

Departure tax and Airport Security Fee

All passengers pay both these, built into the cost of their tickets. In 2008, the Bermuda Government's Miscellaneous Taxes (Rates) Amendment Act increased the rate of departure tax for all visitors and residents from $25 to $35 per person. Bermuda has by far and away the highest Departure Tax in the world per square mile - now US$1.66 per square mile of Bermuda's 21 square miles.

Lineal inches of bags and luggage

When these are shown below or are part of airline policy now, note they are the sum of length plus width plus height. Be aware that some low-cost airlines may have much higher than average costs than the premium-cost airlines. For example, in carrying modes of transport for young children, or wheelchairs for the physically handicapped (disabled), or golf clubs for the sports-minded. (In the UK, low-cost airlines such as Ryanair, EasyJet, FlyBe and BMI charge £15 or more for certain items that British Airways carries for free).

Seat pitch comfort level in Economy

Seat pitch is the space between your seat and the one in front of and behind yours, for hip, leg and face room.

It is shown separately below for each airline.

Airline maker is not responsible as individual airlines configure the interiors.

For more information, go to http://www.uk-air.net/seatpitch.htm

Air Canada

Formed in 1937 as Trans Canada Air Lines, It first flew in 1939. In September, 1946, in one of the first not pressurized Canadian North Star aircraft, it surveyed the route from Montreal to Bermuda. In 1948 it began a Montreal Toronto Bermuda route and established air to ground communications systems it needed, in Bermuda, Goose Bay, Labrador and Gander, Newfoundland. It filed for bankruptcy protection on April 1, 2003 and is still encumbered. It commissioned the 1986 book "It Seems Like Only Yesterday" by Philip Smith to commemorate its 50th anniversary. Today, Air Canada is the British Commonwealth's most frequent flag carrier serving Bermuda, with year round non stop daily service to and from Toronto - no longer Montreal - and a weekly seasonal (spring, summer and fall) to and from Halifax, Nova Scotia. The executive office (open Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm) is at the Bermuda International Airport, 3 Cahow Way, St. George's Parish, Bermuda, telephone (441) 293-0793, fax (441) 293-0667. Telephone Aero plan 1-800-623-0752; Passenger Reservations & Information 1-800-776-3000 (7 am to 3 am, 20 hours daily); Air Freight (441) 293-2480 or 2105; Baggage (441) 293-0794; Flight Information (441) 293-1777. The City of Hamilton ticketing office is at Windsor Place, Church, Queen and Reid Streets, Hamilton, open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Seat pitch comfort level in Economy

American Airlines

It began daily non-stop service between Bermuda and New York (now JFK) on September 8, 1975. It was when Pan American World Airways (which began flights to Bermuda in 1936 but no longer exists) and American Airlines agreed to orchestrate an airline route swap, whereby American would service Bermuda and certain Caribbean destinations (but not necessarily to and from each other) and Pan Am would service Hawaii and certain Pacific destinations (as Pan Am once did much earlier). That first Bermuda flight on American was a Boeing 707 from Boston's General Edward Lawrence Logan International (BOS). It has been flying to Bermuda ever since. At Bermuda International Airport is 3 Cahow Way, St. George's Parish, telephone (441) 293-0938 or fax (441) 293-1000. The City of Hamilton ticketing office is at the Russell Eve Building, 21 Church Street, Hamilton, open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturday 9am-1pm. Other telephone numbers are Passenger Reservations & Information 1 (800)-433-7300 or (441) 293-1420; Airport Passenger Services (441) 293-1556; Air Cargo & Freight Information & Pickup (441) 293-2100; Accounting Office (441) 293-1700; Marketing (441) 292-4743.

Seat pitch comfort level in Economy

Very Good. (33"-35"on Bermuda flights) for a journey of 2 hours or less. The best of all airlines serving Bermuda in seat pitch.

British Airways (BA)

Presently, providing the only airline service between Bermuda and the UK and Bermuda and Europe via the UK, thus this extensive profile. It began services to Bermuda on May 18, 1937 - see Bermuda Aviation - as Imperial Airways with a survey flight on May 25, the first passenger carrying flight on June 8 and official inaugural flight on June 12, via flying boat G-ADUU RMA "Cavalier" shipped to Bermuda in parts from Britain, then re-assembled by Imperial's engineers. It and Pan American World Airways - now gone - were the original pioneers of commercial air services to Bermuda. It once flew between Bermuda, New York and Miami and Bermuda to the Caribbean. It began flying in UK in 1919 as Daimler Air Hire, then Daimler Airway. Handley Page Transport was added to the stable, then Instone Air Line and British Marine Air Navigation (BMAN). The amalgamated service became Imperial Airways in 1924 and British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) in 1939, then British Airways again.

A Front Street City of Hamilton ticketing office is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Also at Bermuda International Airport, 3 Cahow Way, St. George's Parish. Telephone toll free 1 - 800 AIRWAYS (1-800-247-9297) for automated services 24 hours daily including fares, schedules, flight arrivals, departure times. But there may be quite a wait before you reach an airline agent. Bermuda manager is Marianne Wilcox. Local telephone numbers are Airport Customer and Baggage Service (441) 293-1944; Executive Office (441) 295-0710; and Sales Manager (441) 296-2031.

Bermuda is one of BA's long-haul destinations. It is the only airline with once-daily high-season and from October 2009 six times a week weekly (except Mondays) low-season non-stop direct flights on its 6.5 to 7.5 hours flights (depending on going west from the UK or going east to the UK) to and from Bermuda and London, England (Gatwick), via its fleet of Boeing 777 aircraft. BA Fares to Bermuda from London are always substantially more than BA fares from Bermuda to London, also hugely more than BA fares from London to the USA, further away by air but on a much more competitive and frequent route. It has one of the highest fuel surcharges per passenger in the world. The mere 31 inches of seat pitch in BA Economy - compared to at least 33 inches of seat pitch on American airlines - turns into an uncomfortable and stressful flight, especially for the genuinely physically challenged (disabled) with substantial long-term balance mobility problems and seniors needing quick, easy and frequent access to the washrooms. Making the cramped conditions in Economy even worse is the fact that flights between Bermuda and London at popular times, such as before and after Christmas and any time in June, July, August and September are invariably full, so full that it is manifestly impossible to do any of the anti Deep Vein Thrombosis exercises the airline recommends. If you are in Economy and are trying to read a magazine or work - for example, trying to use a lap top computer - forget it completely if the seat ahead of you is reclined. Being seated in the middle of a long row in these conditions can be a nightmare. Economy Class seats are usually full to the brim and for those in this class the seating, flight and cramped areas for movement are not pleasant, especially when young children or infants are crying or screaming in the two front rows of economy, where they and their accompanying parent or parents are invariably given priority in seating. Quality of food has declined noticeably. With the airline having made huge losses in recent months to June 2010, some food onboard in Economy, such as breakfast en route to the UK from Bermuda, is best left untouched.

But there is a bright side, for passengers who can afford it. They should seriously consider going Premium Economy or Business Class or First Class for what will then probably be a vastly more enjoyable flight with far better comfort, better seat pitch, leg room, food and service, no noise from wailing children, quicker entry and exit, shorter immigration lines of arrival and more. Under these circumstances the sheer quality of BA service on Premium Economy, Business Class or First Class in far nicer human and aircraft conditions will be far better, much appreciated and should lead to an enjoyable flight. The latter three classes and Bermuda's reputation as an international business centre with BA much-used by international businesses based in Bermuda or with offices here are the principal reasons why this is considered by the UK's financial newspapers and magazines to be one of BA's single most profitable routes, with the added bonus of no competition from Virgin Atlantic and others, unlike in BA's other routes. Some UK residents with sons or daughters living or working in Bermuda have stated they pay much more for their BA fares when flying out to see them than passengers originating in and returning to Bermuda. But this may vary from time to time and season.

BA staff have the highest salaries and most generous perks of any airline. For senior staff the latter include one completely free trip a year to anywhere in the world. All staff get 90% off the full fare on any flight although they are on standby and can be bumped off full flights. Married staff can take family members on 90% and 100% reduction flights. Those who are unmarried can nominate two other people to accompany them for the same discounts. Staff and/or family-friends get first preference for bulkhead seats if flying Economy is their only realistic option. The concessions are also available to former BA staff for a number of years after they have left BA and retirees from BA and their families including grandchildren. (Source, Daily Telegraph, March 20, 2010, page 4 News).

Seat pitch comfort level in World Traveller Plus economy

Excellent ( 38" on Bermuda flights on a 777 via World Traveller Plus) for a long haul journey of 7.5 hours to Bermuda and 6.5 hours from Bermuda. Economy Class seats - in terms of width - are better than on any other airline serving Bermuda.

The World Traveller Plus has its own dedicated cabin with 40 seats, all equipped within-seat power and telephones. With an additional seven inches of legroom and wider seats, you have the space and comfort to relax or work in-flight.

Seat pitch comfort level in World Traveller economy

Bad (only 31" on Bermuda flights on a 777) for a long haul journey of 7.5 hours to Bermuda and 6.5 hours from Bermuda. Economy Class seats - in terms of width - are better than on any other airline serving Bermuda. But in seat pitch, the second-worst.

Continental Airlines

It began flying to Bermuda in May, 1999. It offers inward and outward flights daily, from NYC Newark (EWR) - Newark Liberty International - to Bermuda and back. Newark Airport in New Jersey is closer to Manhattan than John F. Kennedy Airport. ts OnePass program is the only award-winning frequent flyer program where air miles never expire. For Reservations and Information, telephone toll-free 1-800-231-0856 or in Bermuda at (441) 293-3092.

Seat pitch comfort level in Economy

Delta Air Lines

Still as North East Airlines - before it changed its name - it inaugurated its Bermuda service in March, 1969, from Boston. For a while (certainly in 1994 but no longer) it had a direct flight between Bermuda and Hartford, Connecticut. Its daily non-stop Boston's General Edward Lawrence Logan International (BOS) to Bermuda (772 miles) and roundtrip route is year-round. It also offers the popular, daily, non-stop The William B. Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Bermuda (1148 miles) and flights from New York's LaGuardia Airport although in April 2009 it announced it will cut its flights to Bermuda from LaGuardia Airport to three days a week as a result of the global economic crisis. The office is at Bermuda International Airport, 3 Cahow Way, St. George's Parish. There is also a City of Hamilton ticketing office at 83-85 Front Street, open Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Telephone Passenger Reservations and Information 1-800-221-1212; Flight Information 1-800-325-1999; Administration (441) 293-1024; Air Cargo (441) 293-2050; Baggage Service (441) 293-1022; and District Marketing (441) 293-1023.

Seat pitch comfort level in Economy

JetBlue

(1-800-538-2583) or 1-801- 365-2583, if calling from Bermuda. or visit www.jetblue.com. Began twice-daily service from JFK New York on May 4, 2006 and Boston in 2007. This low-cost airline came to Bermuda after five years of wooing by the Bermuda Government. It had been a target since 2001 in the expectation that its low cost tickets will entice more visitors to the Island and break the stranglehold of higher-cost carriers. It has done that. For the Bermuda service, it usually uses Embraer 190 aircraft with a single-class configuration of 100 seats, not the 77 Airbus A320 aircraft JetBlue uses on other routes, but from February through April 2009 and 2010 it increased its seat capacity by 50 percent between Bermuda and New York with an Airbus 320 instead. 0.85 complaints per 100,000 passengers in 2009. The most recent J. D. Powers survey awarded JetBlue the highest rating of overall customer satisfaction for low-cost carriers. JetBlue is one of the USA's 10 least-complained-about airlines. At certain off-season times of the year it offers a special deal for flying to and from a number of destinations including Bermuda.

USA 3000

Initially canceled then reinstated their Bermuda service for 2009 summer. New to Bermuda in 2004, from/to Baltimore/Washington (BWI), Terminal E Pier. Had operated thrice-weekly direct flights to/from Baltimore/Bermuda . A low cost carrier certified by the United States Federal Aviation Administration as a Part 121 Air Carrier authorized to perform scheduled, charter, domestic and international flight operations. It flies a fleet of Airbus A320-214 aircraft. Enhanced security and hand baggage restrictions affect all flights. Customers can book summer flights to and from Bermuda on-line by visiting www.usa3000.com or by calling 1.877.USA.3000.

Seat pitch comfort level in Economy

US Airways

When still known as Allegheny, it began its services to Bermuda on June 1, 1989, flying from Baltimore/Washington (BWI) to Bermuda and Philadelphia. Now Bermuda's most frequent carrier, with some services daily year round and other seasonal. Once - in 1994 - it also flew from Bermuda to Pittsburgh, PA via a stop in Baltimore-Washington. It offers more non-stop seasonal flights between Bermuda and USA than any other airline, with services to/from Boston's General Edward Lawrence Logan International (BOS), Charlotte/Douglas (NC), Fort Lauderdale, New York - La Guardia (LGA); Philadelphia (PHL) and Washington DC (DCA). Its executive office is at Bermuda International Airport, 3 Cahow Way, St. George's Parish. Telephone Reservations & Information at 1-800-622-1015 or fax 1-441-293 1270. Air Cargo (441) 293-1972; Baggage (441) 293-3073.

Seat pitch comfort level in Economy

WestJet Airlines

Began services to Bermuda in May 2010. A Canadian low-cost carrier based in Calgary, Alberta. It flies within Canada, to the USA, Mexico, Bahamas and Caribbean. The second largest Canadian carrier behind Air Canada. Non-unionized A public company with over 7,500 employees and 1.2 billion USD market capitalization.

Bermuda International Airport arrivals

In Bermuda (unlike in UK) Customs are not Green Zone - Nothing to Declare or Red Zone - Something to Declare - but more tedious and with queues (lines) at both Immigration (if visiting do not take line reserved for Bermudians only) and Customs.

Bermuda International Airport departures

USA-bound passengers go through US Customs & Immigration pre-clearance in Bermuda.

Fights shown are in order of time of departure, to help persons taking them to the airport, or taxi owners and operators, or local mini-bus services for departing passengers.

Departing passengers should check in to the airline ticket counter two hours before their departure times, to avoid being refused if they arrive too late to be questioned, screened and processed. Passengers going to Britain or Canada will encounter Immigration and Customs clearance when they arrive in London or Toronto. In the United Kingdom, if a spouse has a UK national passport, an accompanying husband or wife who is not a UK national may also go through the UK and European Community lanes instead of the far more lengthy other Immigration lanes.

	Air Canada	From Toronto daily, Halifax (YHZ) weekly.
	American Airlines	From JFK New York and Boston's General Edward Lawrence Logan International (BOS) daily in high season
	British Airways	From London, England (Gatwick) daily from March 29 through October 27, 2006.
	Continental Airlines	Daily from NYC Newark (EWR)
	Delta Air Lines	Daily from William B. Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and General Edward Lawrence Logan International (BOS)
	JetBlue	From JFK New York and Boston to Bermuda
	United Airlines	In 2006 weekly from Chicago-O'Hare (ORD) and Washington-Dulles (IAD) both seasonal
USA 3000	USA 3000	From/To BWI
	US Airways	Daily from Baltimore/Washington (BWI); General Edward Lawrence Logan International (BOS); Charlotte/Douglas, seasonal; Fort Lauderdale, seasonal; Philadelphia (PHL); New York - La Guardia (LGA); Washington DC (DCA).
	WestJet Airlines	Daily to/from Toronto