Category Archives: Bahamas

The two-day World Athletics Relays begin this evening in the Bahamas with Jamaica having teams in all five events scheduled.

Action begins at 6:05 p.m. (Jamaica time) with the heats of the 4x400 metres mixed relay. Jamaica will run in heat one where their main rivals are the Dominican Republic, the Netherlands and hosts Bahamas. Favourites the United States will run in heat two.

A lot of focus will be on Jamaicas womens and mens 4x100 metres teams. Most of the islands top female sprinters are not in the Bahamas and they will struggle to get a medal in an event where the United States have sent a strong team. The American team will feature four of the athletes who helped their nation to top of the podium in Budapest: individual 200m silver medallist Gabby Thomas and Tamari Davis, who both raced in the final, are joined by heat runners Tamara Clark and Melissa Jefferson.

Jamaicas team will be led by Natasha Morrison and Remona Burchell and should also include rising sprint star Alana Reid. Jamaica will run in heat two after the United States take the track in heat one. The first heat is set for 6:53 p.m. Jamaica time.

In the mens event Jamaica will have a fairly strong team. The squad includes world indoor bronze medallist Ackeem Blake, world finalist Ryiem Forde and World University Games champion Kadrian Goldson. Jamaica will line up in heat three against Canada and Australia while their main rivals the United States are in heat one. The opening heat for the men goes off at 7:27 p.m. Jamaica time.

The heats of the womens and mens 4x400 metres will also be run this evening starting at 8:01 Jamaica time.

Excerpt from:

World Relays start today in Bahamas | Sports - Jamaica Gleaner

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe expressed anticipation for an electrifying relay event as athletes from around the globe gathered in Nassau for the World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24, scheduled for this weekend, May 4-5.

With the event serving as the main qualifier for relay competitions at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, anticipation is high as multiple world and Olympic champions prepare to compete for coveted Paris spots, World Relays titles, and prize money.

Coe, speaking to the media on the eve of the event, praised the impressive line-up of athletes, including renowned champions such as Noah Lyles, Shaunae Miller-Uibo, Marcell Jacobs, and Devynne Charlton. He hailed the gathering of athletes as a star-studded cast and emphasized the significance of the event as a pivotal moment for relay athletics.

Reflecting on the choice of The Bahamas as the events host, Coe highlighted the countrys rich history in track and field, particularly in relay competitions. He commended the warm hospitality and genuine passion for the sport exhibited by the people of the islands, making The Bahamas a fitting venue for such a prestigious event.

Minister of Youth, Sports, and Culture for The Bahamas, Mario Bowleg, expressed delight in welcoming the worlds top relay runners to the country. Acknowledging the privilege of hosting the event, Bowleg thanked World Athletics and other organizing bodies for ensuring the success of the World Relays.

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Former Olympic champion Sanya Richards-Ross, who competed in previous editions of the World Relays in The Bahamas, emphasized the unique atmosphere and camaraderie of relay competitions. She praised the event for providing athletes with the opportunity to represent their countries and enjoy the thrill of competition alongside teammates.

As athletes gear up for fierce competition and the quest for Olympic qualification, excitement builds for what promises to be a thrilling showcase of relay athleticism at the World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24.

The World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24 is poised to deliver a captivating display of athletic prowess and team spirit, setting the stage for an exhilarating prelude to the Paris Olympics. With top athletes ready to showcase their talents on the track, anticipation mounts for an unforgettable weekend of relay action in Nassau.

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Read: World Champs medalists lead Jamaican teams for World Athletics Relays

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World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24 set to showcase star-studded cast ahead of Paris Olympics - caribbeannationalweekly.com

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) has released a statement apologizing for the human error that led to a team being listed as a Haiti-Bahamas All-Star team.

Screenshots sparked a firestorm of controversy on social media, with some offended over the name, which was displayed next to only the Bahamian flag on broadcast graphics.

The statement explained: This race was run at the Pre-Game Show of the BTC World Athletics Relays Bahamas24, a show designed to create a legacy for our sport by integrating our young kids into a world-class track and field competition. It is an event intended to inspire athletes as young as 7 up to under 20.

This engagement of athletes was extended to clubs, high schools, and athletes with disabilities, with the added component of the top three countries from Carifta Games, who competed in the Under 20 girls and boys division of the 4100 and Mixed Relays.

Team Haiti was invited to compete at the Pre-Game Show; however, they could not attend. As a result, a club requested that members of his club make up a team to represent Haiti.

The statement indicated that this expression of interest was based on the club having sufficient athletes of Haitian descent. It further noted that at all times, the Federation was aware of this request and approved it, albeit under some conditions that were not met.

Those conditions included that the team seek sanctioning from the Haitian Athletic Federation to be represented under the Haitian flag, and that failure to meet the requirement of an all-Haitian member team should be named an Unattached Team.

At no time did the Federation agree to a team being named a Haitian-Bahamas All-Star Team, as no such country exists, the statement continued.

Unfortunately, this escaped the meet management personnel and, by extension, the broadcasting team, both of whom were responsible for team data entry.

The BAAAs offered a full apology to the people of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and the people of the Republic of Haiti.

Originally posted here:

"GROSS OVERSIGHT:" BAAAs apologizes for naming of "Haiti-Bahamas All-Star team" - EyeWitness News

Three global championships have been held since the last edition of the World Relays, and each one has produced a different winner of the mens 4x100m.

All three of those gold-medal-winning nations will clash at the World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24 in what looks set to be one of the most competitive races of the weekend.

Italy pulled off a surprised triumph at the 2021 World Relays in Silesia. At the time, it seemed as though they benefitted from a depleted field, given that the pandemic meant that relay powerhouses USA and Jamaica did not send a team.

But at the Olympic Games later that year, with all countries fielding their best squads, Italy proved their relay success was no fluke as they powered to victory in 37.50.

The four men who stood atop the podium on that occasion in Tokyo Lorenzo Patta, individual Olympic 100m champion Marcell Jacobs, Eseosa Desalu and Filippo Tortu have been named on Italys team for this years World Relays.

Like any team lining up in Nassau, their main goal will be to ensure their qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where theyll be aiming to defend their Olympic title.

But a strong US squad also heads to Nassau highly motivated to perform well in the mens 4x100m.

The sprints superpower struck gold in the 4x100m at the World Championships in Budapest last year. World 100m and 200m champion Noah Lyles anchored the US to relay victory ahead of Italy in the Hungarian capital last year, but he is the only member of that victorious quartet wholl be in action this weekend.

The other members of the USAs World Relays squad are certainly no slouch, though. Olympic 200m silver medallist Kenny Bednarek, world 200m leader Courtney Lindsey and NCAA medallist Pjai Austin all of whom have identical 100m PBs of 9.89 add strength to the US team.

All four men who carried Canada to 4x100m victory at the 2022 World Championships including Olympic 200m champion Andre De Grasse will also be in action. The Olympic silver medallists will be keen to make amends after missing out on the World Championships final last year.

Jamaica has earned just one medal 2023 world bronze from the past three global championships, but theres no denying they have the speed and depth to challenge for major titles. Their squad for Nassau includes three sub-10-second sprinters, including world indoor bronze medallist Ackeem Blake, world finalist Ryiem Forde and World University Games champion Kadrian Goldson.

Great Britain & Northern Ireland, who took world bronze in 2022 and finished just 0.04 shy of the podium at last years World Championships, have also fielded a strong team of numerous sub-10-second performers. World bronze medallist and 2023 world leader Zharnel Hughes will be joined by the likes of Reece Prescod, Eugene Amo-Dadzie, CJ Ujah and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake.

Olympic bronze medallists China head to Nassau as the fastest nation in the world this year. Their quartet of Su Bingtian, Xie Zhenye, Wu Zhiqiang and Chen Jiapeng clocked 38.28 at the East Coast Relays last weekend, and all four of those sprinters will be in action in Nassau.

Many other teams will be hopeful of claiming a place in the final or at least a position in the top 14 placed teams that will earn Olympic qualification.

Nigeria won the African Games title last month, while Thailand took a surprise victory at last years Asian Championships. Japan placed second at the last World Relays in 2021 and finished fifth at the World Championships last year. Brazil, meanwhile, were the surprise winners at the 2019 World Relays.

South Africa, France and the Netherlands all have the potential to earn a place in the 4x100m final too.

The main goal, however, will be to simply get the baton around safely.

Jon Mulkeen for World Athletics

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WRE Bahamas 24 preview: clash of global title-winning teams in men's 4x100m | News | Bahamas 24 - World Athletics

If Lionel Richie's on an island, there's a party going on right there.

The music legend and American Idol judge, 74, took to the Caribbean this month to headline "Lionel Richie and Friends Dancing on the Sand", a weekend experience for music fans that featured an intimate Q&A with the singer along with poolside parties and a star-studded concert series.

Put on by music experiential company Vibee, the weekend kicked off welcoming fans to the sprawling Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas properties in Nassau, where guests were first invited to a poolside welcome reception with Lionel Richie's hits and island tunes in heavy rotation by the DJ.

As fans settled in to their accommodations, they were invited to enjoy a meal at the resort's celebrity chef restaurants, including Paranza, one of the newest by Michelin-starred chef Mike White. The menu features innovative Italian cuisine and seafood specialties like grilled sword fish with Sicilian caponata, zucchini and salsa pepe uva. Among the guests in town, actor and comedian Craig Robinson was spotted enjoying a meal at Paranza ahead of the weekend's performances.

Vibee

Next up on the itinerary, Richie sat for a no-holds-barred interview in a theater full of his biggest fans, where he discussed his legendary career, from his Tuskegee beginnings as frontman of The Commodores to how he first found then maintained success as a solo artist. The Idol judge even poked fun at his A-list colleagues Katy Perry and Luke Bryan's antics behind the scenes, crediting them with keeping him on his toes.

Vibee

Fans in the audience were delighted to hear details of Richie's recent experience walking youngest daughter Sofia down the aisle, and his life as a grandfather to daughter Nicole Richie's children Harlow, 15, and Sparrow, 14. The star drew his biggest laughs when he joked that the teens prefer their tablets and iPhones over chatting with their famous grandpa. That is, he said, until he brings someone like Bruno Mars into the room.

From the resort's expansive aquarium and luxury shops to numerous pools and waterslides, there was no shortage of daytime activities for attendees. But when night fell, it was all about the music. The first evening of performances featured Nile Rogers and CHIC, Vanessa Carlton and Jake Wesley Rogers, who are all friends of Richie. Fans danced into the night before some made their way to the resort's full-service casino to try their luck.

Vibee

The weekend ended with a night of performances by Megan Moroney, Sheryl Crow and finally the man of the hour, Lionel Richie, who, rocking a sparkling blue Members Only-style jacket, brought the crowd to their feet as he opened with his 1983 ballad, "Hello." The star wasn't singing long before the crowd joined in, nearly drowning him out with their own performance of the classic.

Vibee

It was the same for songs "Easy," "Dancing on the Ceiling" and more, but the chorus reached its peak belting out his hit "All Night Long" as he closed out the night, and a fun-filled weekend.

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Inside Lionel Richie's Star-Studded 'Dancing on the Sand' Weekend In the Bahamas - PEOPLE

Summary

Paradise found! A crowning jewel of the Lucayan Archipelago in the North Atlantic, The Bahamas boasts over 3,000 islets, islands, and cays. Nassau is the capital and the largest city, which also offers plenty of things to do, including (of course) basking in the gorgeous Nassau beaches! It can be remembered when now-retired astronaut Scott Kelly described The Bahamas as "the most beautiful place from space," and for good reason. The island country is a beacon of tropical paradise with its awe-striking beauty of pristine beaches and azure seas.

Travelers who visit The Bahamas may never want to leave. With its unspoiled nature, unique and diverse marine life, and legendary Bahamian hospitality, nobody wants to be away from this gorgeous island country. For discerning globetrotters who want to experience the wonders of The Bahamas without the need to worry about other expenses during their staycation, here are the 7 top-rated all-inclusive resorts in the island country!

All resorts recommended in this article were selected after extensive research on the top-rated all-inclusive resorts in The Bahamas. Our Meta Study determined these resorts based on their ratings on the renowned booking websites of Kayak, TripAdvisor, and Booking.com. We also considered the reviews, which unquestionably attest to the excellent amenities and services of these all-inclusive resorts in The Bahamas.

Related: Here's How Far $100 Will Get You In The Bahamas

Among swaying palm trees on the south shore of Grand Bahama Island sits the Victorian-style resort Viva Fortuna Beach by Wyndham on 26 acres of white sand beaches, lush foliage, and diverse wildlife. With 276 beautiful rooms featuring private balconies, travelers will have unparalleled relaxation after a day of exploring the island while taking in the views of the azure Bahamas waters. The sparkling pools are inviting, where guests can unwind after working up a sweat at the fitness center or at any time of day. For traveling families with kids in tow, there's a kiddie pool for the little ones so that they, too, can have their time of life. Its location on Grand Bahama Island is a dream destination and offers lots of things to do for all types of travelers.

Inclusions feature select water activities, meals and snacks, unlimited drinks, theme nights, and entertainment.

Nassau's gorgeous Cable Beach houses the charming Breezes Resort, which features two seaside towers, where rooms and suites are furnished with mahogany wood and modern glass. The rooms on the eighth floor of the West Wing and the fourth floor of the East Wing offer spectacular vistas of the ocean, gardens, and swimming pools. Dining is unbeatable and pleases every palate, from mouthwatering Italian to Asian-fusion fare, with indoor and outdoor dining options. Its buffet breakfast is a guest favorite, but for those who want to explore more of the country's delicious cuisine, the resort is a stone's throw away from the local restaurants in The Bahamas that suit any craving, including Oh Andros, which serves delicious seafood Bahamian style.

Resort Passes are available to guests who want to make the most of their staycation.

Paradise Island offers tons of things to do, including a nice soak in the sun at one of its beautiful beaches. This is included in the offerings of Hotel Riu Palace, which features direct beach access reserved for guests with comfortable lounge chairs and umbrellas while taking in the gorgeous sight of the Bahamian waters. For couples, the resort offers a romantic al fresco dinner to enjoy different delicious specialties for anyone's craving. Those who fancy watersports activities can have their time of life windsurfing, kayaking, scuba diving, or playing beach volleyball. The resort's Renova Spa also offers the ultimate relaxation after a day outside. There's also a nice swim-up bar to enjoy some carefully crafted cocktails.

Related: 8 Things To Do In Staniel Cay: Complete Guide To The Bahamas' Crown Jewel

Overlooking the harbor along the North Atlantic Ocean, Lighthouse Pointe at Grand Lucayan Resort is a family-friendly destination in The Bahamas with spacious, well-appointed rooms with private balconies offering stunning ocean and harbor views. The pool offers breathtaking views of the turquoise waters. There are also live music, movie nights, and themed dinner nights perfect for families and friends alike who love the nightlife. The beach is also a perfect spot for guests to dip their toes in the white sand while enjoying the smell of the ocean breeze. To make the most of their time in The Bahamas' natural marine life, diving and snorkeling are a feat.

Don't forget to take a trip to the Port Lucaya Marketplace, which is only a walking distance away, to buy some souvenirs. It's one of the best things to do in Freeport before heading back home!

Offering luxury accommodation and unparalleled comfort, Sandals Royal Bahamian is a dream come true for lovers alike. This award-winning adults-only all-inclusive resort features two gorgeous white sand beaches on its offshore island in Nassau with lovely pastel rooms complete with luxe amenities. The walk-in shower, swim-up pool, and walk-out patio in each suite with private lounge chairs and a bistro set are perfect for couples who fancy a languid morning coffee. The resort's award-winning spa also sets the mood. Sandals Royal Bahamian is where guests can experience royal treatment. It's one of the luxury spa resorts in Nassau to indulge in world-class relaxation.

One of the resort's inclusions is unlimited fine dining at its on-site specialty restaurants, offering different fares ranging from the Caribbean to Japanese cuisine.

Tucked away in an idyllic spot on the south shore of Paradise Island, Warwick Paradise Island is another gem in The Bahamas for adults seeking unique solitude while being surrounded by pristine beaches. Conde Nest Traveler named the resort the second-best resort in The Bahamas, and for good reason. Its private harbor, white sand beach, reputable dining, and gorgeous swimming pool with a bar offer unbeatable relaxation and satisfaction for discerning globetrotters. And because it's close to Cabbage Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Nassau, guests will enjoy the hallmarks of The Bahamas and its marvelous natural beauty.

Related: Book These 10 Amazing Nassau Excursions For A Unique Bahamas Experience

Topping this list is Small Hope Bay Lodge, located on Andros Island, which is The Bahamas' largest and virtually untouched island. Featuring rustic beachfront cabins that allow guests to wake up to the sound of enchanting waves, the award-winning historic resort has lived up to its heritage since its establishment in the 1960s. The rooms are beautifully decorated with local artwork and handcrafted furniture and accented by Androsia Batik. What makes it even more alluring and worth the price tag is that it's an eco-friendly resort that uses solar-powered showers, reverse osmosis water coolers, and ceiling fans. The gorgeous beachfront views are second to none, and its all-inclusive packages are tailored to every type of travelermay it be a group of friends, traveling families, a solo vacationer, or couples.

The resort's location on Andros Island offers exciting water activities for daring travelers, including fishing, diving, and many island adventures.

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7 Top-Rated Bahamas All-Inclusive Resorts You Should Book - TheTravel

Imagine treating your family to a Christmas cruise to somewhere warm and sunny to destress and relax this holiday season and maybe even get a tan your coworkers will envy come Jan 2. Instead, Mother Nature and the cruise line conspire to send you, not to the beautiful Caribbean, but to sunny Boston, Massachusetts and Newfoundland, Canada, in the middle of December.

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Its happened to at least one cruise; the MSC Cruises ship MSC Meraviglia was supposed to sail from New York Saturday, down the east coast and dock in Florida before heading to the Bahamas, according to CBS. Instead, the ship docked in Boston Sunday. From there, it will go on to Portland, Maine and St. Johns in Newfoundland, Canada. The move has, understandably, pissed people off, including a Reddit user who took to /r/cruise to express their dismay.

Just got this email tonight about our carribbean cruise leaving in the morning that we have had planned since August. Not sure what to do. We have all of our holiday plans built around this cruise, lots of money, hotel bookings, airfare, etc. Really upset. In my 30 years of cruising, almost 50 sailings, this has NEVER EVER happened, with such a drastic change in itinerary with almost zero notice. Advice?

MSC Cruises does seem to be offering a credit to customers so they might rescheduled their cruises, but that means folks who planned for this cruise could still be out thousands of dollars, not to mention PTO days, with such a late change of itinerary.

As crappy as cruises are, there was little MSC Cruises could do. Theres no changing the weather forecast for southern Florida and the Bahamas, which hardly counts as pleasant and sunny this week. A huge storm, commonly referred to as a Noreaster, is dragging heavy rain and wind gusts up to 40 knots up the coast just as the MSC Meraviglia would be heading down. The cruise ship isnt the only vessel affected by this extreme weather. At least 11 other cruise ships have been forced to change their itineraries, according to Cruise Hive, though the Meraviglias change seems to be one of the most drastic.

Cruise ships suck, but I wouldnt wish a planned trip to a tropical paradise turning into a winter wonderland tour of St. Johns, Newfoundland (with an average daytime temperature of 34 degrees) on anyone.

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December Cruise To Bahamas Rerouted To Canada - Jalopnik

Alaska Airlines has been in the news lately for the carrier's proposed merger with Hawaiian Airlines, a move that Alaska CEO Ben Minicucci said will "expand options for West Coast and Hawai'i travelers."

But no one wanted to talk about that Friday morning, when Alaska Airlines celebrated inaugural flights to Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, from both Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

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Instead, the songs, speeches and snacks all invoked the "It's better in the Bahamas" vibe.

"We were looking for somewhere new to fly that would attract people in the wintertime, and the Caribbean seemed liked a good choice," Kirsten Amrine, Alaska Airlines' vice president of revenue management and network planning, said during a gate-side interview in Seattle. "With our success with Belize and Costa Rica flights and now moving a little further east, it just fits really well into our portfolio," she added.

Related: Hawaii vs. the Caribbean: Which islands should you visit?

The two new seasonal flights to the Bahamas are Alaska's first flights to the Caribbean. They will operate four times a week from LAX and three times a week from SEA on Boeing 737-9 aircraft through April 9, 2024.

Flights leave LA and Seattle in the morning and arrive at Nassau's Lyden Pindling International Airport (NAS) in the late afternoon. Nassau's airport is a U.S. Preclearance facility, so Seattle- and LA-bound passengers clear customs and immigration before boarding and bypass customs on arrival in the U.S.

The flight from Seattle to Nassau is also notable because it's Alaska's 101st nonstop destination from its hometown airport and the first service from SEA to the Caribbean.

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"The plan is to offer the flights between Thanksgiving and spring break for now, and we'll see what happens from there," Amrine said.

The Bahamas consists of more than 700 islands, 16 of which are marketed to tourists. Arriving passengers on Alaska Airlines flights to Nassau can connect to other islands via Bahamasair, one of Alaska's global partner airlines, for experiences that might include swimming with pigs or diving on the Andros Barrier Reef.

Points of View: Which credit card should you use for Alaska Airlines flights?

From the West Coast of the U.S., Hawaii has been the longtime go-to destination for sun and snorkeling. During the winter, Alaska Airlines has been able to support up to 33 flights per day from Alaska, Washington, Oregon and California.

Fourteen of those flights are from Seattle 13 from SEA and one from Seattle Paine Field International Airport (PAE) in Everett. While it at first seems counterintuitive to fly east for beach weather, "a flight to Nassau from Seattle takes just about the same time as a flight to Hawaii," Joy Jibrilu, CEO of Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board, said. "So, Seattle travelers are closer than ever to experiencing the wonders of Nassau and Paradise Island, with pristine, white sandy beaches, rich Bahamian culture, delightful cuisines and world-class casinos," she said.

In fact, it turns out that it may be faster to fly east to Nassau from Seattle and LA than it is to fly to Honolulu or Maui from both cities.

Alaska Airlines flights from Seattle to Maui and from Seattle to Honolulu clock in at about six hours and 30 minutes. According to the scheduled times listed on Alaska Airlines' website, the new flight from Seattle to Nassau will take six hours and 15 minutes, although the inaugural flight made the trip in five hours and 30 minutes. The scheduled flight time from LA to Nassau is even shorter: just five hours and 15 minutes.

This holiday season, Alaska Airlines is introducing several other new nonstop routes.

On Thursday, the carrier began year-round, daily service between LA and Guatemala City. The same day, the carrier celebrated new seasonal service between Las Vegas and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; a day later, it kicked off seasonal service between Las Vegas and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

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Alaska Airlines starts flying to the Bahamas from Seattle and Los Angeles - The Points Guy

In what is another boon for the booming tourism industry in The Bahamas, Alaska Airlines has just kicked off two historic routes to the destination.

Alaska Airlines is now flying nonstop from both Los Angeles and Seattle to Nassau, The Bahamas.

We are thrilled to welcome the first nonstop flights on Alaska Airlines fromLos AngelesandSeattle, making it easier than ever for those on the West Coast to visit our beautiful destination, said Joy Jibrilu, CEO of the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board. This strategic expansion is a testament to the collaborative efforts between our destination and our airline partners and I want to thank Alaska Airlines and their planning team for working to make this new route a reality. From white sandy beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters to culture around every corner and a variety of world-class resort options, Nassau & Paradise Island offer something for every type of traveler, and we look forward to having even more West Coast travelers discover what makes our islands so special.

The Los Angeles-Nassau flights are operating four times each week for the peak season.

Seattle-Nassau flights are operating three times per week for the same period.

Both routes will run through April 10, 2024, operated on Boeing 737 aircraft, according to Alaska.

Nassau is one of the hottest destinations in the wider Caribbean, having been named most recently as Caribbean Destination of the Year in the 10th annual Caribbean Travel Awards.

Thats due to a number of factors, from a dynamic, revived downtown area to a Caribbean-leading cultural offering to the continued success of the Baha Mar and Atlantis Paradis Island megaresorts.

Its the second major route between Los Angeles and the Caribbean to launch in the last few years, joined by Cayman Airways landmark service between Grand Cayman and LAX, which recently expanded.

TheBahamasis committed to establishing new partnerships, such as these exciting new routes with Alaska Airlines, that will enhance accessibility to our beautiful shores for all to experience the warm hospitality and rich heritage that awaits, said Bahamas Tourism Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper. In 2023, we surpassed record-breaking tourism arrivals eclipsing 8 million visitors, and with this new service, anticipate this momentum to continue steadfast.

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You Can Now Fly Nonstop From Los Angeles to Nassau, The Bahamas - Caribbean Journal

Alaska Airlines has recently launched nine new routes to popular vacation destinations across the U.S., Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, offering passengers more opportunities to escape the winter sun.

These flights were all launched last week and included Alaskas first-ever nonstop services to Guatemala and the Bahamas, giving passengers new access to unspoiled Caribbean beaches and vibrant Central American culture. Additionally, two new Mexican destinations from Las Vegas and seasonal services between popular U.S. destinations are also available.

On December 14, Alaska initiated a year-round, daily service between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Guatemala City (GUA). The outbound flights from LAX leave at 11:15 PM daily and arrive at Guatemala City at 6:00 AM the following day. The return flights are scheduled to leave Guatemala at 11:45 AM and arrive in Los Angeles at 3:10 PM.

On December 15, the airline launched its first-ever flights to Nassau (NAS) in the Bahamas from LAX and its primary hub, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). The LAX-NAS service is year-round, with four flights per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, but it will drop to one flight per week starting April 15. Meanwhile, the SEA-NAS service operates thrice a week on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays and is scheduled to end on April 14, 2024.

Alaska Airlines also introduced three seasonal services from Las Vegas (LAS) last week. Two flights to Mexico, Puerto Vallarta (PVR) and Cabo San Lucas (CSL), will operate four times per week and end on April 14 and April 15, respectively. Flights from Las Vegas to San Luis Obispo (SBP) will operate daily until April 15.

The airline launched three other internal U.S. flights last week. These include a daily service between New York (JFK) and Palm Springs (PSP) that will run until May 15. The other two routes are from Orange Countys John Wayne Airport (SNA), connecting to Bozeman Yellowstone (BZN) and Tucson (TUS).

Theres something for everyone in our roster of new flights from amazing beaches to snowy mountains, big city buzz to tranquil deserts, said Kirsten Amrine, vice president of revenue management and network planning at Alaska Airlines.

Were also now flying our guests to countries weve never served before as we increase our international service. The Bahamas off the coast of South Florida offer pristine islands and turquoise waters, and Guatemala in Central America excites with adventure, history and culture.

On December 4, Alaska Airlines agreed to acquire Hawaiian Airlines for $1.9 billion, a move that will provide greater connectivity for travelers and considerably expand the airlines international network.

Alaska Airlines is the countrys fifth largest carrier, trailing the Big Four, while Hawaiian is the 16th. The merger of the complementary networks focused on the West Coast would give passengers access to 138 destinations, including direct service to 29 international locations in the Americas, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific islands, Alaska said.

The number of U.S. destinations Hawaiian residents can reach with just one stop will also triple.

Following the merger, Alaska will control more than half of the market for flights to Hawaii, which draws more than 10 million visitors annually as one of the worlds top tourist destinations.

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Alaska Airlines Launches First-Ever Routes to Guatemala and the Bahamas - Business Traveler USA