Heading to St. Lucia? American Airlines is launching a new flight.

The Pitons, the drive-in volcano, the chocolate, the floating water parks, the infinity pools.

St. Lucia remains one of the most diverse destinations in the Caribbean, whether you’re looking for a couples-only retreat in the rainforest or an authentic cocoa farm.

And with the launch of a new American Airlines scheduled service from New York, it’s now even easier to fly there.

Starting December 7, American Airlines will launch a new weekly nonstop flight between New York’s major John F. Kennedy International Airport and St. Lucia’s Hewanorra International Airport.

The new connection will be operated every Saturday, with the round trip flights being operated by Boeing 737 aircraft, American Airlines confirmed to the Caribbean Journal.

Planning a vacation to the “Helen of the West Indies”? Don’t miss our latest coverage of the island’s best adventure hotel, Anse Chastanet, and an up-and-coming wellness destination in the popular Bay Gardens resort collection.

Of course, you should know that St. Lucia is a diverse and complex destination, with two major “poles”: the south coast with places like Vieux Fort and Soufrière as anchorages, and the northern part of the island with hotspots like Rodney Bay, Reduit Beach, Pigeon Point and, most recently, the new Point Hardy Golf Club (the most exciting new golf course in the Caribbean in years).

That means if you’re opting for a getaway to St. Lucia, you’ll need to decide where you want to be (it’s a long, two-hour drive between the two corners of the island). The south coast is home to the famous three-walled luxury resorts like Jade Mountain and Ladera, as well as many of the honeymoon hotspots (think Viceroy Sugar Beach, for example), plus the world-famous Orlando Restaurant, regularly ranked among the 50 best in the Caribbean.

In the more cosmopolitan north, you’ll find superb restaurants and bars, a vibrant nightlife and many of the island’s best-appointed resorts, from the aforementioned Bay Gardens portfolio (which will expand to include another new resort next year) to Sandals’ trio of Saint Lucia resorts and Cap Maison, one of our favourites for its quintessentially St Lucian take on Caribbean luxury.

CJ Expert Opinion: Another win for St. Lucia with service from the important source market of New York.

— CJ