NEW YORK, NY – JetBlue should feel the competition pinch starting December 1 as Song Airways makes its inaugural flight to Nassau this afternoon.
Song will leave this bustling American city shortly after 2 p.m. from John F Kennedy Airport, arriving in Nassau at approximately 5:10 p.m.
Executives of the airline will be on board the first flight along with Ministry of Tourism officials and the Bahamian media. A press conference will be held at Nassau’s International Airport immediately following the airline’s arrival.
Song should help to boost tourism arrival numbers in The Bahamas, as its fares will range from 99 to $249 each way if booked on its website, similar to fares of JetBlue, which began servicing Nassau on Nov. 01.
As an added treat, the inaugural flight will include American Idol finalist, John Stevens, who will be releasing his first album early next year. Song’s Bahamas launch ties into Stevens’ remake of the classic hit, “Come fly with me.”
Tourism Deputy Director General, Vernice Walkine, told The Guardian said last week the airline’s introduction to The Bahamas’ market ties in with one of the ministry’s area of focus: airlift development.
The Guardian noticed Song’s advertisements in key locations in this city, especially at subway stations. New York City is the largest metropolitan area in the Americas with over 8 million people. The three airports servicing the metro area, LaGuardia, JFK and Newark, are all within a 90-minute drive for people in the neighbouring states of New Jersey and Connecticut, home to about 12 million people when combined.
Song has been flying since 2003 and presently serves 11 cities in the Continental U.S: Atlanta, Boston, Ft Lauderdale, Ft Myers, Hartford, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Orlando, Tampa and West Palm Beach. It also flies to San Juan Puerto Rico.
The airline has a fleet of thirty-six 199-seat, one-class Boeing 757s and currently provides 144 daily flights. Additionally, all Song aircraft are equipped with personal video monitors at each seat, offering a complement of entertainment features accessible via touch-screen technology. These features include live satellite television, audio programming, and interactive video games.
Mindell Small, The Nassau Guardian
December 1, 2004
