JetBlue Airways Introduces Direct Flights from New York/Punta Cana

Today I had the pleasure of taking JetBlue‘s inaugural flight from New York to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. This complimentary flight also came with an offer to enjoy a stay at Punta Cana Resort and Club, but this Mama had to pass on it, because not every adventure, every time, is meant to be.

The festivities started last night at The Martime Hotel in Chelsea. Dignitaries from the Dominican Republic, as well as executives from Jet Blue and Punta Cana were present to announce the new partnership, one which has been welcomed with open arms to all who hear the news.

I attended the event excited just to be around members of the tourism industry in the country where I spent so many years of my youth. At first the event was slow and quiet, but as soon as the band started playing merengue, and representatives from Brugal, a Dominican rum brand, started serving straight shots it seemed that the vibe was becoming more and more what I would expect any good Dominican party to be.

In addition to the live band and the Dominican rum, guests were treated to on-the-spot hand rolled Dominican cigars, as well as a performance featuring dancers dressed in traditional Dominican carnival gear.

I met many high level representatives from the DR, but none had me more giddy and more excited than Magaly Toribio, Vice-Minister of Tourism for the Dominican Republic. She was lovely, friendly, and wonderful to talk to.With Ms. Magaly Toribio

I left at 8:00PM when the party was scheduled to end, but really seemed more like it was just getting started.

Today, I woke up before the sun and while still in a state of deep sleep, made my way to JFK’s terminal 5, Jet Blue’s terminal. I mentioned it before on our way to The Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas, and even still it had the ability to make me feel comfortable and relaxed. Checking in was a breeze, and I was ridiculously early. About 2 hours later, breakfast was set up at Gate 15, and regular passengers, as well as the same Dominican dignitaries and JetBlue executives were mingling and chatting, while soft merengue played in the background, and representatives for Brugal Ms. Magaly Toribio, Vice-Minister, and Ms. Lucien Echeverria, Director, Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism

Of the four bloggers present, only two were staying in the DR. Having spent so much of my childhood and teenage years visiting Punta Cana, I was sad to not be among them, however, was thrilled when representatives for one of the resorts there extended an open invitation (am working on those plans after this article!).

The flight seemed short on this “party plane” of ours. There were quizzes that led to awesome prizes, there were servings of rum and coke, and even the playing of merengue over the airplane speakers as we descended onto Punta Cana.

Jet Blue Flight Crew, two of an all-Dominican crewTreats found on our seats upon boarding (Dominican coffee and chocolate)

As our plane approached the terminal it received a water canon salute. JetBlue officials first exited the plane holding both an American and Dominican flag, and staff and crew standing outside cheered, applauded, and took pictures as we exited one by one. The second I took a breath of the tropical air I was overcome with a longing for the beach and sun and everything I love about the Dominican Republic. There is a smell in the air that is all it’s own. No matter where I go, even other islands, none smell like home.

After the official talks and ribbon cutting, I was able to meet Frank Rainieri, President and CEO of Punta Cana Resort and Club, and a man who’s vision, ambition, and persistence, even when faced with opposition and hard times, believed that he could convert an area once desolate and undiscovered, into a traveler’s paradise. It was difficult for Mr. Rainieri to pin point which of his many accomplishments he was most proud of. His children perhaps, who are involved in the family’s growing empire? His staff, whom he says are not called “employees of Punta Cana” but rather family members. Or perhaps living to see this new partnership between one of the U.S.’s preferred airlines and the area he has invested so much in.

What I am most proud of is seeing the growth of Punta Cana from my days as a child visiting there. Punta Cana is the biggest tourism destination in the Dominican Republic, and the third biggest in the Caribbean, attracting more than 2 million visitors a year. A big difference from the mere 2,600 that visited when the airport first opened in 1984.

Another source of pride is Punta Cana’s Ecological Foundation which has the mission to “protect and restore the natural resources of the Punta Cana region and contribute to the sustainable development of the Dominican Republic”. Mr. Rainieri also spoke proudly of the recycling centre as well as the water management system, which controls and helps conserve the amount of water used at the resort.

JetBlue has a lot going on as well.  The airline is a favorite among travelers not only because of the competitive prices, but also because of the quality of service and the comfort it offers travelers. Rumor has it they are looking to extend that further by offering WiFi services as well. Flights out of JFK to Punta Cana are daily, and new flights out of Boston to Punta Cana will begin on Saturday, May 8 and then also on Wednesdays, starting July 1 (seasonal). You can book vacation packages for Punta Cana through www.jetblue.com/vacations.

Punta Cana International Airport is 10 minutes from the resorts. Punta Cana itself is a 3.5 hour drive to the capital city of Santo Domingo, and about two hours to La Romana, where the Casa de Campo resorts and villas are located.

There is plenty to do in area, for those with or without children. My favorite destination as a child was Club Med, but then again, that was pretty much the only destination at the time. It continues to be, after all these year, a favorite among traveling families, but it no longer stands alone. There is so much more to see now, so many great choices to choose from, for any budget.

After my quick trip today, and all the festivities around the inaugural flight, I was left feeling somewhat nostalgic of my years there. I couldn’t help but share with some of the passengers on the plane the “Four Must Do’s” when in the Dominican Republic: 1) enjoy a meal on the beach with a cold Presidente in hand, 2) try the mangu or mofongo, at least once, 3) drink coconut milk, but straight out of the coconut not from a glass, and 4) dance the merengue (and no worries, there’s nothing that makes Dominicans feel more proud than seeing you at least try and have fun with it)!

Hope you and yours get to visit my isla bonita someday soon. If in NYC, there is no doubt that JetBlue is the way to go to get there…and when you do, as you come off the plane and out to the open air, take a slow deep breath, relax your soul, and enjoy your stay.

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. Complimentary airfare to and from Punta Cana were provided courtesy of JetBlue. The views and opinions expressed here are strictly my own. For more information please refer to the disclosure page here.

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