When you think of coming to Puerto Rico, what comes to mind? Is it lying on a sandy beach relaxing? Is it bar hopping in San Juan? Is it the food? Well, that’s all well and good, but first you need to actually get here, which is why you should really be asking yourself…
Which airport do you fly into for Puerto Rico?
The answer to that question depends on a couple of things, but since most who arrive here do so by way of the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, let’s talk about it first. Keep in mind, that it isn’t the only option, as you’ll soon see.
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU)
Fun fact about the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport: despite the FAA location identifier implying that it’s in San Juan, this airport is actually in the neighboring town of Carolina. Since its inauguration in 1955, it has been the main airport in PR for international traffic, a role previously held by the nearby Isla Grande Airport, officially known as the Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport (SIG).
Every year, hundreds of thousands of passengers come through this airport on the way to or from a number of domestic and international destinations, but as we stated in the prior section, it’s not the only game in town.
Other notable airports
Isla Grande Airport (SIG): This airport is Puerto Rico’s first. Until SJU was opened, SIG served as Puerto Rico’s international airport and is located in San Juan. These days, it serves regional and charter flights, with destinations mostly within PR (such as Vieques and Culebra) or nearby Caribbean islands such as the USVI and the Dominican Republic.
Rafael Hernandez Airport (BQN): This airport has a storied history as an Air Force base established in the late 1940s. This was its primary function until the mid-1970s when the base was converted to a civilian airport. Today, it only receives passenger flights from domestic destinations like Orlando (MCO) and NY(JFK), but international cargo flights arrive and depart from here.
Mercedita International Airport (PSE): Mercedita is another airport with a long history. Like SJU, it was inaugurated in 1955. Despite its name, it does not currently receive international flights and only serves domestic flights, specifically from and to Orlando and JFK.
Eugenio Maria de Hostos Airport (MAZ): In operation for several decades, this airport has changed between domestic and international several times, but currently does have international flights through Jetblue to the Dominican Republic.
Major Airlines Flying into Puerto Rico
Several major airlines that fly into Puerto Rico include American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines. Essentially, all the major US-based airlines have flights to and from PR.
Additionally, more budget-focused airlines like Frontier and Spirit service the island. Furthermore, given that SJU is an international airport, we also receive flights from Air Canada, Air France, Aeromexico, British Airways, Copa Airlines, and Avianca, among others.
Flights to San Juan
SJU is the airport in PR with the most traffic, so consider the most popular routes so that you may plan accordingly.
Popular domestic routes
The top domestic routes to SJU, according to Flightconnections.com:
- Orlando to San Juan (MCO-SJU)
- New York City to San Juan (JFK-SJU)
- Miami to San Juan (MIA – SJU)
- Fort Lauderdale to San Juan (FLL-SJU)
- Newark to San Juan (EWR – SJU)
- Boston to San Juan (BOS – SJU)
- Atlanta to San Juan (ATL-SJU)
- Tampa to San Juan (TPA – SJU)
- Chicago to San Juan (ORD – SJU)
- Philadelphia to San Juan (PHL-SJU)
Popular international routes
The top international routes, according to FlightConnections:
- Tortola, British Virgin Islands to San Juan (EIS-SJU)
- Saint Barthélemy to San Juan (SBH-SJU)
- Punta Cana, Dominican Republic to San Juan (PUJ-SJU)
- Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic to San Juan (SDQ-SJU)
- Panama City, Panama to San Juan (PTY-SJU)
- Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic to San Juan(STI-SJU)
- Bogotá, Colombia to San Juan (BOG-SJU)
- Madrid, Spain to San Juan (MAD-SJU)
- Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands to San Juan (VIJ-SJU)
- Dominica to San Juan (DOM-SJU)
5 Tips for Booking Cheap Flights
1. Book in Advance
- Plan ahead: Booking at least 6-8 weeks in advance is ideal for ensuring great ticket prices. Tickets purchased well ahead of time are usually going to be more affordable.
- Monitor Prices: You can use apps like Going or Hopper to get alerts when prices drop.
2. Be Flexible with Dates and Times
- Travel Off-Peak: Basically, think of when you would prefer to travel and then do the opposite. Things like flying during off-peak seasons, during middle-of-the-week days (like Wednesday as opposed to the weekend), and at less popular times (redeye flights are known for being way more affordable) can save you more money than you might imagine.
- Flexible Date Search: Being flexible about your departure and arrival dates can save you a lot of money. One day’s difference can mean paying an extra $50-$100. Thankfully, many booking sites allow flexible date searches so you can choose the lowest-priced option.
3. Use Fare Comparison Websites
- Search Multiple Sites: Another way you can save money is by comparing different sites. Rather than going with the best price on the first site you use, shop around on other sites as well. For example, you’ll be surprised at the variance between Skyscanner, Google Flights, and Expedia.
- Consider Nearby Airports: As you saw in this post, there may be several airports that you can fly out of within driving distance. Granted, Mayaguez and Ponce aren’t exactly around the corner from San Juan, but the savings might offset the inconvenience.
4. Sign Up for Alerts and Newsletters
- Price Alerts: This is similar to the second bullet in point number one but expanded. Not every website necessarily has an app. Get the apps when you can, but sign up on different websites even if there isn’t an available app. Really cast that wide net to ensure you snag the best prices.
- Airline Newsletters: Signing up for newsletters from airlines and travel sites can be a great way to ensure you are the first to know whenever there’s a flash sale or a special promotion.
5. Use Points and Miles
- Frequent Flyer Programs: If you really love to travel, you’re probably aware of this, but if wanderlust has only recently got a hold of you, joining a frequent flyer program should be the next thing you do after finishing this article. You can really rack up those miles and earn free flights. American Airlines AAdvantage, Delta Skymiles, and Southwest Rapid Rewards are just a few of the ones you can join.
- Credit Card Rewards: Similar to frequent flyer programs, many credit cards offer points or miles for purchases that can in turn be redeemed for flights. It isn’t uncommon to see them running promotions with multipliers for purchases at specific places.
Conclusion
With pretty much every major airline flying in, several airports to choose from, tons of tools to find the best ticket prices, and great places to stay, there really has never been a better time to come to Puerto Rico. So what are you waiting for? The article is over. Go book that flight!
FAQ
What month is the cheapest to fly to Puerto Rico?
The cheapest flights are usually in the fall, specifically in September.
