Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

American Airlines makes inaugural nighttime arrival to VI

- Hon Kye M. Rymer said the nighttime flights mark ‘new era of connectivity’
The evening of Thursday December 18, 2025 has been marked as a historical evening for the virgin islands and air travel conectivity follwing the first ever night landing by American Airlines. Photo:Facebook
Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) has hailed the inaugural nighttime arrival of American Airlines as a 'major milestone for the Virgin Islands.' Photo: Facebook/File
Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) has hailed the inaugural nighttime arrival of American Airlines as a 'major milestone for the Virgin Islands.' Photo: Facebook/File
American Airlines made its first ever nighttime arrival in the Virgin Islands through a direct flight from Miami International Airport to Terrance B. Lettsome International (EIS), Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
American Airlines made its first ever nighttime arrival in the Virgin Islands through a direct flight from Miami International Airport to Terrance B. Lettsome International (EIS), Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
TRELLIS BAY, Beef Island, VI- The evening of Thursday, December 18, 2025, has been marked as a historic one for the Virgin Islands and air travel connectivity, following the inaugural night landing of an American Airlines flight into the Virgin Islands (VI).

Major milestone for VI 

American Airlines made its first-ever nighttime arrival in the Virgin Islands through a direct flight from Miami International Airport to Terrance B. Lettsome International (EIS).

According to a Facebook post by Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), this marks a "major milestone for the Virgin Islands."

In July of this year, American Airlines (AA) announced its intention to increase flights to the Virgin Islands (VI), a move welcomed by the BVI Airports Authority (BVIAA).

As Virgin Island News Online previously reported, "The new flights will be a late evening arrival from Miami International Airport (MIA) into Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS), followed by an early morning departure at 8:00 AM from EIS to MIA."

New era of connectivity 

This became a reality on Thursday, December 18, 2025, with the arrival of the AA flight into the Virgin Islands at 10:38 PM. 

Minister Rymer added in a short statement on Facebook that, "This inaugural nighttime service expands air access, boosts tourism, welcoming a new era of connectivity."

Speaking to Virgin Islands News Online, Managing Director of the BVIAA, Mr Kurt A.G. Menal, said last night’s first overnight flight by American Airlines is a "proud and exciting moment" for the Virgin Islands.

He added, "This new service brings real, tangible benefits for our people, making travel easier for residents, improving connections for families and business travellers, and offering visitors greater flexibility when choosing the BVI.

"We are grateful to American Airlines for their continued confidence in our destination, and I extend sincere thanks to our dedicated airport and aviation partners whose professionalism and commitment made this milestone possible. Together, we continue to strengthen connectivity and enhance the travel experience for everyone we serve, Mr Menal further remarked.

19 Responses to “American Airlines makes inaugural nighttime arrival to VI ”

  • BuzzBvi (19/12/2025, 08:10) Like (16) Dislike (10) Reply
    Finally proving there is no business case in the SECRET files.

    Let's start spending the stockpiles money on the infrastructure and building businesses and forget the foolish airport, kickback SECRET handout project.
    • The new currency.. (19/12/2025, 10:23) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
      Convenience and time are the new currency.Everyone who has taken this trip has raved about how great the ease of travel is . The is actually a campaign for a European destination that says "spend less time getting there and more time being there" . This aptly applies. And imagine when other Airlines adds this route and the price goes down. And the peripheral businesses this will create are immeasurable ; not to mention it positions the BVI for the next 20 year. Its a win all around. I suspect Buzz is already flying direct and keepiing it on the low
      • @The new currency.. (19/12/2025, 15:02) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
        When I go to Miami I always fly out of Tortola. It is more convenient for me rather than going to Sr.Thomas to catch a flight to Miami. The only difference is the plane in St.Thomas is bigger. Expanding the run way is a good thing. Once the run way is expanded and can accommodate bigger planes you may be able to take direct flights from Tortola to Texas or NYC.
  • Airlift (19/12/2025, 08:17) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    Bvi on the move mehson
  • Love this (19/12/2025, 09:21) Like (25) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is lovely, we need to stop putting money in St.thomas pockets, and continue to build up OUR country. Let's go KYE!
  • c (19/12/2025, 09:44) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
    Until marine tourism season is over, then they’ll probably pull out.
    • resident (19/12/2025, 10:56) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
      @c Obviously. Airlines are businesses, there to make a profit. They adjust load according to demand. All airlines do that on all routes. Do you expect them to run six flights/day in September?
  • Was on the flight (19/12/2025, 11:02) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    It was a wonderful night flight into the BVI.The Island is so beautiful by air at night.
  • Thankful (19/12/2025, 11:23) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    HON. KYE BRING BACK AMERICAN EAGLE TO THE BVI
    • WOW (20/12/2025, 20:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Really? Just forget the hardworking people at the Airport Authority. SMH
  • Need Longer Runway. (19/12/2025, 12:18) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    We definitely need a new airport. On Saturday there was a little rain and wind so the flight had to turn back to PR where travelers stayed in limbo for over 3 hours before they finally were finally allowed to deplane. Passengers had to arranged their own accommodations with no assurance of a flight time the next day. Next day at 8: 20 at the San Juan airport travelers were told the flight to Tortola left at 8:00. they were finally booked on Winair for the afternoon but had to pay for their luggage. While American airline said the weather is responsible and they will not reimburse the passengers for their extra expense. This is the reality of this route. Pray that no rain ever falls because you will be dumped in PR, St. Thomas or Miami and not in tortola.
    • thanks for making the case... (19/12/2025, 17:07) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Thanks for making the case for those that say it fine the way it is since it is already accomating jets However they fail to account for the ASD lenght -that is the lenght needed to abort a take off if needed . Currently EIS does not provide for such.
  • Youth (19/12/2025, 12:56) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    I wish the Government would hurry up with the airport expansion. Airports in the region are quickly outpacing ours and that's just sad.
  • To we need a longer runway (19/12/2025, 14:08) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    We get satisfied with the bare minimum around here. Some are saying that this is proof that we don’t need a longer runway. So silly.
  • RunwayExpansion (19/12/2025, 17:17) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    It not a either-or issue. Infrastructure is deplorable, etc, etc, etc, But the runway extension is also necessary and urgent. Its been a while now since American began direct Miami-BVI flights but every time lil rain fall, they can't land here. Meanwhile Anguilla and Dominican which also began receiving direct flights at the same time a BVI have either completed their runway and airport expansions or are well on the way. The Royal engineers did the expansion here years ago, Bring them back again - they will do it on time, on budget and with Transparency.
    • voter (19/12/2025, 19:37) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Your facts are incorrect. Anguilla and Dominica started direct Miami before BVI..However, don’t just extend for extension sake . The million $ question is what is the realistic extension that is needed to safely accommodate the Miami flights.,
  • Tek That (19/12/2025, 18:56) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    kye and the vip ah wuk 4 more years for sure
  • The watchdog (20/12/2025, 05:32) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Well done minister rymer they cannot touch you or the vip government
  • Sausageman (21/12/2025, 09:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I hope they are going to ‘beef ‘ up the inbound immigration and customs facilities to accommodate all these new visitors


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit comment
Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.