American Airlines Launches New Route to the Bahamas with Embraer E175
This week, American Airlines unveiled plans to commence flights to South Bimini Airport (BIM) in the Bahamas starting next year. The new route will be operated by 76-seat Embraer E175 aircraft under the American Eagle brand, a regional feeder for the ‘big three’ legacy carrier and a founding member of the oneworld alliance.
Service to South Bimini from Miami
Operating from its Florida hub at Miami International Airport (MIA), American Airlines will begin flights to South Bimini on February 14. MIA serves as an important gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean for numerous major U.S. airlines. American Airlines highlights that it offers flights to more destinations in the Bahamas than any other U.S. carrier.
Introducing Nonstop Flights
The new services from Miami to South Bimini are significant as they will be the only nonstop flights from the United States to Bimini. American Airlines plans to operate these flights up to three times weekly, with departures from Miami on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. The Embraer E175 jets used for these services will fly under the American Eagle flag. According to Brian Znotins, AA’s SVP of Network Planning, “American knows that travelers are looking for unique and varied experiences, and that’s why we’ve added destinations like Bimini to our network.”
Expanding Destinations in the Bahamas
American Airlines currently serves six other destinations in the Bahamas, and with the addition of Bimini, the airline cements its presence in this Caribbean region. Data from aviation analytics company Cirium shows that Envoy Air will operate the Embraer E175 jets on this route. Bimini’s proximity to Miami, just 64 miles away, ensures a brief 60-minute block time for flights. Flight AA4108 will depart Miami at 10:05 AM and arrive at Bimini at 11:05 AM, returning at 11:50 AM.
Aircraft and Onboard Experience
The Embraer E175 aircraft, while modest in size with 76 seats, offer various cabin configurations to accommodate different passenger needs. Here’s a breakdown of the seating arrangements:
| Class | Seats | Pitch |
|---|---|---|
| First Class | 12 | 36 inches |
| Main Cabin Extra | 20 | 34 inches |
| Economy Class | 44 | 30 inches |
First Class seats are configured in a 2-1 arrangement, offering a generous 20-inch width, compared to 18 inches in Economy class. Main Cabin Extra provides added comfort with extra legroom, despite lacking in-seat power supply—a feature available on equivalent aircraft used by other airlines like Republic Airlines and SkyWest.
