Bermuda International Airport

AirTran Airways – New Non Stop Flights From Atlanta To Bermuda Launched

- Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders Help Celebrate AirTran’s Newest Caribbean Destination -

AirTran Airways, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines, Co. (NYSE: LUV), today began daily nonstop service between Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and L.F. Wade International Airport in St. George’s, Bermuda.

Passengers took part in a colorful celebration at the airport featuring traditional Gombey dancers and a steel drum band. A special performance by the Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders also wowed the crowd as part of the “Touchdown Bermuda” themed event. In addition to welcoming passengers, the cheerleaders were heading to Bermuda for their annual swimsuit calendar photo shoot.

Bermuda is the latest destination in AirTran’s international route network, which includes: Aruba, Cancun, Mexico; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Nassau, Bahamas and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

“AirTran Airways is committed to providing our customers with excellent service and low fares to fantastic destinations like Bermuda,” said John Kirby, AirTran Airways’ senior director of planning. “This new, daily service makes it easier than ever for our loyal customers to experience the famous hospitality, pink-sand beaches and unique island culture of Bermuda.”

Atlanta becomes the second city in AirTran’s network to offer nonstop service to the island getaway. The low cost carrier began offering flights to Bermuda from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) last month.

“We are excited to partner with AirTran Airways in providing new service to our island,” said The Hon.Patrice K. Minors, Minister of Business Development and Tourism for Bermuda. “Atlanta is a wonderful U.S. city with many Bermuda fans, friends and family residing there. We are happy that this service will help continue to build a relationship while offering travelers an easy escape to Bermuda.”

AirTran Airways is a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines Co. and has been ranked the top airline in the Airline Quality Rating study twice in the past four years. AirTran is the only major airline with Gogo Inflight Internet on every flight and offers coast-to-coast service on North America’s newest all-Boeing fleet. Our low-cost, high-quality product also includes assigned seating, Business Class and complimentary SiriusXM Satellite Radio on every flight. To book a flight, visit airtran.com.

Bermuda Airport - Scooter Rental by Elbow Beach Cycles!

The airport is located on St. David’s Island and on the site of Kindley Field, a Second World War allies base used by the US Air Force and the British Royal air Force. Kindley Field was then operated by the United States until it was transferred to the Bermuda Government in1995.

LF Wade now serves fourteen destinations in Europe, the US and Canada, including London, Miami, New York and Toronto. Nine airlines fly to Bermuda Airport :

One particularity of the Bermuda airport is that it is a launch-abort site for the NASA Space Shuttle . The site can also be used for both low and mid-inclination launches.

The airport surface measures 536 acres, has a passenger terminal, a cargo terminal, an airport hangar and eight aircraft stands. It has eleven taxiways and one runway. The runway is made of asphalt and measures 9,898 feet in length (3,017 mtres) but can handles aircraft of all sizes, even up to the Boeing 747.

The passenger terminal has an annual footfall of almost 850,000 passengers with 40 check-in desks and 8 gates. For travellers to the United States, LF Wade International offers customs and immigration pre-clearance. Because passengers clear customs before boarding, the flights to the US are treated as domestic flights.

Plans to build a new airport terminal north of the existing one were unveiled mid-2010. The replacement of the building that dates back to 1941 is estimated to cost between $300 and $400 million and would include a ferry terminal . Construction could take three to four years but it has been deemed essential to build a new facility. A few million dollars have already been spent in the resurfacing the taxiways and aprons in 2008.

The duty-free allowance for returning visitors to Bermuda is only $100, and for visitors, duty is free is only allowed on personal effects such as clothes, cameras, golf bags, cigarettes (200), one litre of alcohol and gifts up to a value of $30.

Executive smaller aircraft and corporate jets can land in Bermuda at the executive and private aircraft handling facility located on the northern side of the airport.

Travel Bermuda: Incl. Hamilton, Saint George & more - illustrated travel guide and maps (Mobi Travel)

Fodor's Bermuda 2011

Fodor's 2007 Bermuda

Fodor's Bermuda 2009

Frommer's Bermuda 2011