American’s 64-Mile Leap: Miami–South Bimini Starts February 2026
ID 137842314 | Air © Tom Samworth | Dreamstime.com
American Airlines will launch a 64-mile international hop between Miami (MIA) and South Bimini (BIM) on February 14, 2026. Operated by American Eagle/Envoy Air, it will be the shortest route in American’s system and the only regularly scheduled U.S. airline service to South Bimini.
The schedule
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3x weekly: Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays
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AA4108 MIA → BIM: departs 10:05, arrives 11:05
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AA4108 BIM → MIA: departs 11:50, arrives 12:50
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Block time: 1:00 each way
The aircraft and seats
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Type: Embraer 175 (Envoy Air)
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Seats: 76 total — 12 in first/business and 64 in economy
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Cabin notes: Two-by-two seating throughout, no middle seats; expect the standard American Eagle service profile for a short international sector
Why Bimini and why now
Bimini sells itself as the Bahamas’ quickest island escape from South Florida, yet most visitors either ferry from Fort Lauderdale or connect via Nassau or Freeport on local carriers. A same-day American Airlines nonstop creates a more familiar, mainstream option for U.S. travelers and opens easy connections over MIA from the rest of the country. Even at just three weekly flights, this should meaningfully tighten the resort weekend and mid-week getaway pattern the island markets heavily.
Network context
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American’s shortest flight: At 64 miles, MIA–BIM dethrones ORD–MKE (67 miles) as AA’s shortest route
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Bahamas footprint: BIM becomes American’s seventh destination in the Bahamas, further deepening the carrier’s Caribbean specialization from Miami
Competition and alternatives
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Local Bahamas links: BIM is currently linked to Freeport by Flamingo Air and to Nassau by Western Air; both are longer domestic hops than AA’s new MIA flight
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Sea options: The Fort Lauderdale–Bimini ferry remains a popular choice for South Florida locals; Tropic Ocean Airways also operates seaplane charters to North Bimini’s NSB, but that’s not scheduled airline service
Who benefits most
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South Florida residents: A quick, passport-stamp island weekend without the ferry timetable
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Flyers connecting via MIA: One-stop access to Bimini from dozens of U.S. cities on a single ticket with through-checked bags
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Resorts and tourism partners: A marquee U.S. airline in the schedule should broaden Bimini’s reach beyond South Florida
Practical notes
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Border formalities: Bimini does not have U.S. preclearance; returning passengers will clear customs and immigration on arrival at MIA
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Irregular ops: Short island sectors can be weather-sensitive; the 3x-weekly pattern may encourage pairing stays to the flight days
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Baggage and weight: E175 performance is robust, but pack thoughtfully on peak dates given the aircraft size and island operations
Bottom line
American’s 64-mile Miami–South Bimini flight is a small hop with outsized implications. It gives Bimini a headline U.S. airline connection, hands American its new shortest route, and adds another pin to the carrier’s growing Bahamas map. If the three-weekly schedule meshes with resort demand and Miami connectivity, this tiny transborder link could punch above its weight.
