NEW YORK (June, 2002) - On the heels of Air Jamaica`s inaugural service to Antigua last week, the Caribbean carrier launched brand new A-340, wide-body service between New York`s JFK Airport and Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston this morning.

The aircraft, named the “Spirit of New York” in keeping with Air Jamaica`s solidarity with New York City following the events of September 11, is the latest wide-body addition to Air Jamaica`s fleet which now includes three A-340s. The other planes ply the transatlantic route between Jamaica and the United Kingdom.

With this new service Air Jamaica is also introducing a third new class of Service: Premium First Class, a step above its stellar Lovebird First Class. Air Jamaica currently serves the Caribbean with six daily flights from the New York Area - four to Jamaica and two to the Eastern Caribbean islands of Antigua, Barbados, Grenada and St. Lucia.

According to the airline`s regional manager for the northeast, Campbell Rudder, the new A-340 offers 294 seats and it will carry all luggage to Jamaica. Premium First Class customers will be allowed a total of four checked bags at 70 pounds apiece. “This is a new era for Air Jamaica and for the industry as a whole that we have such a four-engine aircraft serving Jamaica,” he said.

Last night, Air Jamaica introduced the new service by feting several hundred Jamaicans, West Indians and Americans at the Brooklyn Marriott.
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