In mid-2023, Trinidad and Tobago carrier Caribbean Airlines announced expansion plans to further build out its footprint in the Eastern and Northern Caribbean islands.
One of the carrier’s goals was to also acquire more aircraft to support their growth strategy. Prior to the pandemic, they ordered 12 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to replace their older 737-800s, but switched three of those orders to options during the pandemic.
They are now exercising those options, but have no timeline for delivery as a result of production delays at Boeing’s Washington factory.
They also announced plans to acquire Embraer E175 regional jets, but it seems these plans are progressing more slowly than anticipated.
At a recent customer service appreciation event, Caribbean Airlines chairman S. Ronnie Mohammed said, “all things being equal and considering the nuances of the supply chain, within the next 12 to 18 months we will be expanding the fleet to include regional jets, which would further bolster our reach throughout the region and beyond.”
Updated miles program
The airline also announced that it would be switching from a distance-based to revenue-based mileage rewards program.
Caribbean will now calculate miles earned based on your base fare with a multiplying factor depending on your loyalty status. They will also categorize their destinations into three redemption zones, offering peak and off-peak rates per zone.
Caribbean Airlines claims this will make it easier to earn and redeem miles, and while that may be the case in some situations, revenue-based mileage programs tend to make it harder to earn and redeem versus mileage-based programs, as it encourages travelers to purchase higher fares in order to earn more miles and “punish” those booking cheaper tickets.
