American Airlines Expanding Service to US Virgin Islands, Adds New Route to St. Croix

America Airlines is expanding its service to St. Croix this winter with a new route from Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

The new service is scheduled to begin December 6 and will operate on Saturdays, bringing travelers from the midwest to Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) on St. Croix, according to the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism.

In addition, starting December 18, the carrier will increase its current Saturday-only service from Chicago O’Hare to Cyril E. King Airport (STT) on St. Thomas to daily flights.

“These expanded routes from one of our key gateway cities reflect the strong and growing demand for travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands,” Joseph Boschulte, commissioner of tourism for the U.S. Virgin Islands, said in a statement.

“This increased connectivity will not only enhance convenience for our visitors but also support our tourism-driven economy and the many businesses that rely on it,”  Boschulte added.

Local officials said the additional service will also help to strengthen the U.S. Virgin Islands’ position as one of the top Caribbean destinations for leisure travelers, particularly during the high-demand winter season.

The region is already experiencing a record number of visitors. On December 28, 2024, the U.S. Virgin Islands recorded 4,606 passenger arrivals, surpassing the single-day arrival record set in March 2024. This represented a new weekly passenger arrival record, with over 24,000 visitors, marking a 5.92 percent increase over the previous record.

What’s more, in 2024, combined airline arrivals at Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas and Henry E. Rohlsen Airport in St. Croix totaled 932,265 passengers. This figure surpassed the previous record set during the COVID-19 pandemic by over 100,000 passengers, representing a 16.5 percent increase compared to 2023. 

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