AIRJamaica is increasing capacity on UK flights to the Caribbean by 50%, with the introduction of larger aircraft.
Services on its five weekly Heathrow-Montego Bay flights will be operated by an Airbus A340 from May 15. The switch from the current smaller A310 gives Air Jamaica 103 extra seats for each of the flights. The A310 is configured in two classes of 198 customers.
General manager UK/Europe Tony Cowles said the increased capacity was partly a response to the airline being unable to increase its frequencies due to Heathrow slot restrictions.
“We had thought slots might be available due to the Far East carriers dropping flights, but this has not happened,” he said.
The use of larger aircraft has allowed the carrier to offer the only first-class cabin to Jamaica. It will seat 12 people in 60ins pitch seats, which recline to a bed-style product.
First-class passengers will be offered a limousine transfer to Heathrow.
The 35-seater business class will have seats with a 40ins pitch and improved meal options. The long-term aim is for the enhanced Air Jamaica UK service to mirror the existing US flights to Jamaica .
“The two-centre Caribbean holiday is a small proportion of our UK traffic but we want to build it,” said Cowles.
He added feeder flights from British Midland, Swissair and Lufthansa to Heathrow were helping to increase Air Jamaica passenger numbers. The carrier was looking to codeshare with British Midland next year, he said.