ust in time for a spring break getaway, Spirit Airlines is kicking off more service from Orlando International Airport (MCO). Beginning today, Spirit Airlines (NYSE: SAVE) will operate nonstop flights between Orlando and Sangster International Airport (MBJ) in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Starting tomorrow, March 1, Spirit will also begin nonstop service between Orlando and Norman Manley International Airport (KIN) in Kingston, Jamaica.
These new routes begin as Spirit continues to increase international and domestic service from Orlando International Airport. Florida’s Hometown Airline begins new, nonstop service from Orlando and Denver International Airport (DEN) today. Orlando to Indianapolis, IN (IND) on March 14, Raleigh-Durham, NC (RDU) on May 2, and Charlotte, NC on June 20. These new routes join Spirit’s growing list of destinations from the economically diverse Central Florida region. It comes just after, the airline began major international expansion last October, when the airline added 14 new international and domestic routes.
“We are pleased to bring the best value in the sky with more flights from Orlando International Airport with nonstop service to the beautiful island of Jamaica,” said John Kirby, Spirit Airlines’ Vice President of Network Planning. “With the most nonstop destinations from Orlando to the Caribbean and Latin America, Spirit enables Guests to experience incredible beaches, culture, hospitality and the opportunity to visit family and friends.”
“Spirit’s decision to serve Kingston, Jamaica from Orlando International Airport presents year-round travel opportunities between these two great destinations for the first time in over a decade,” said Phil Brown, Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. “Spirit’s continued support of this market with additions like Montego Bay, Denver and Kingston has helped make them our fastest growing airline.”
“Jamaica welcomes Spirit Airlines and the additional flights presented to our travelers,” said Francine Carter Henry, Manager of Tour Operators of Jamaica Tourist Board. “We are constantly looking to expand gateways serving the destination and Spirit Airlines provide very good options to support a constantly growing appetite for travel from the USA to both Kingston and Montego Bay airports.”
Recent Orlando expansion:
Orlando to/from: Starts: Frequency:
Austin, Texas (AUS) February 14, 2019 Daily, year-round
Denver, Colorado (DEN) February 28, 2019 Daily
Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ) February 28, 2019 4x weekly
Kingston, Jamaica (KIN) March 1, 2019 3x weekly
Indianapolis, Indiana (IND) March 14, 2019 Daily, year-round
Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina (RDU) May 2, 2019 Daily, year-round
Charlotte, North Carolina (CLT) June 20, 2019 Daily
In addition to Spirit’s network growth, Orlando recently became the home to a new Spirit Airlines crew base. Since December of 2018, more than 300 Flight Attendants and Pilots joined Spirit’s Orlando team, with hundreds more crew and airport jobs expected by this summer. In 2019, Spirit Airlines will operate more than 50 departures per day from Orlando International Airport, which is nearly a 100 percent increase from only two years ago.
Spirit will now offer the Orlando area nonstop service to 44 destinations with over 50 daily flights across the U.S., Caribbean and Latin America. Orlando will also serve as the site of Spirit’s fleet-wide Wi-Fi installation. Spirit’s state-of-the-art, high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity will start to roll out this year, providing Guests the ability to watch, stream, surf and text in flight.