Adam Scott, the founder of BermudAir, developed a deep appreciation for Bermuda during several years of both business and leisure visits. Today, he presents BermudAir as a welcoming alternative to larger airlines.
Adam Scott
Scott emphasizes that “it’s all about the Bermudian smile,” committing to provide an exceptional travel experience that stands out from competitors. To sweeten the deal, the airline offers complimentary dark ‘n’ stormies—a local concoction of dark rum, ginger beer, and lime—as part of its service.
Founded two years ago, BermudAir operates a fleet of four Embraer regional aircraft. The airline currently provides flights to eight destinations in the United States and three in Canada. Notably, it plans to expand its service in the New York area and introduce seasonal routes between the U.S. and Anguilla.
Starting October 23, BermudAir will cease its service to Bradley Airport in Connecticut to facilitate the New York expansion. Flights to Newark are set to commence twice weekly on October 25, followed by LaGuardia service beginning October 29.
The new routes will complement the airline’s existing service to Westchester County Airport, which will see a reduction from five flights per week to three. “New York is by far the biggest market for Bermuda,” Scott noted, describing it as the “world’s best-kept secret” just two hours from New York.
BermudAir’s strategic mix of New York-area airports is essential, given the challenges in securing landing rights at congested LaGuardia and Newark. Scott sees Newark as a pivotal long-term gateway, particularly as the airline looks to expand into the Caribbean.
Additional U.S. destinations served by BermudAir include Boston, Baltimore, Orlando, Raleigh-Durham, and Richmond. The airline also offers seasonal service to Charleston, South Carolina.
Adapting to New Challenges
The journey for BermudAir has been anything but straightforward. Originally, it aimed to provide only first-class seats, positioning itself similarly to semi-private carriers like JSX. However, supply chain issues led to alterations in its initial plan.
Currently, BermudAir operates two types of Embraer jets: the E175, which features a first-class cabin of 10 seats and a 60-seat economy section, and the larger E190, which has eight first-class seats and 88 in economy. Both aircraft configurations allow for a two-by-two seating arrangement across the aisle.
In a competitive landscape, BermudAir faces established players like American, JetBlue, Delta, and United Airlines, with American leading in market share for Bermuda routes. However, BermudAir distinguishes itself by offering the most extensive service to Bermuda.
One of Scott’s ambitions is to drive visitor numbers to Bermuda during the off-peak winter months. The natural seasonality of Bermuda’s tourism prompts BermudAir to look towards the Caribbean for growth opportunities.
This winter, the airline will launch seasonal services from Anguilla to Newark, Boston, and Baltimore under the brand AnguillaAir. Notably, no other airline will provide nonstop flights from Anguilla to the Northeast U.S. this winter, aside from American’s single service to Miami.
Looking ahead, Scott plans to extend the Anguilla flights beyond winter and explore other underserved Caribbean markets.
