JetBlue launches nonstop flight from Richmond to San Juan as demand for Caribbean travel grows

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A new tropical destination is now just a flight away for travelers in Central Virginia.

On Thursday, March 26, JetBlue launched its first nonstop flight from Richmond International Airport to San Juan, offering passengers a more convenient way to reach the Caribbean.

JetBlue celebrates inaugural nonstop flight from Richmond to San Juan. (Photo: 8News)

The launch comes as some airports across the country continue to deal with long lines and TSA staffing shortages tied to the partial government shutdown. However, officials at Richmond International Airport said operations locally have remained smooth.

Dozens of passengers boarded the full flight. Many expressed excitement about the new nonstop option, including Puerto Rican native Amanda Mari. She said the new route will make traveling home more convenient, as she'll save on travel costs and time.

“It’s going to be more cost effective because I usually drive to D.C., that’s already saving on gas," she said. "Plus I live like 20 minutes from the airport, so that’s just going to be the cherry on top.”

The inaugural flight was met with celebration at the gate, complete with music and a festive send-off reflecting Puerto Rican culture.

“We wanted to do a big to show our customers and the San Juan community that we do love them, we do appreciate them, and we’re grateful to be here, to have this opportunity to take them from here to Puerto Rico,” said Pamela Rivers, a general manager for JetBlue.

Mari said the atmosphere was reminiscent of being in Puerto Rico.

“It feels like back home, like this is something we would definitely be doing back home. Like a party when you go to someone’s house,” she said.

As the first inbound flight from San Juan deplanes, one family spending spring break on the island shared their vacation plans.

Passenger carries Puerto Rican flag in his backpack as he boards Richmond's first nonstop flight to San Juan. (Photo: 8News)

Pamela Rivers hands gifts to passengers. (Photo: 8News)

Tyler Silvestro and his family board the inaugural flight. (Photo: 8News)

“I’ll be going down there pretty frequently now," said Tyler Silvestro who works for a landscape architecture firm located in San Juan.

"Our office designed the visitor center at El Yunque, and so we’re going to head to the rainforest soon as we drop down,” he said.

The trip is a surprise to his children, who said they learned about the destination while at the airport.

“It's a wonderful surprise." said his 7-year-old daughter Alma Silvestro. "I can’t wait to go seeing coral reefs... it’s going to be really fun,” she said.

Airport officials said the RIC-to-SJU route has long been one a top Caribbean market in the region, and sees more than 50,000 travelers flying between the destinations each year. That number is expected to grow with the addition of this nonstop option, which officials say will help stimulate even more demand.

“The community had been asking for it for a very long time, so it took a lot for us to be able to do it, but we were able to do it with our corporate department, and we were able to meet the demands of what everyone was asking for,” Rivers said.

The nonstop flight between Richmond and San Juan operates three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Rivers said that could increase to seven days a week depending on the level of demand.