Nonstop flights from Atlanta to the Out Islands

Every year, approximately 6,500 guests fly from Atlanta to the Out Islands. That equates to about 1.4% of the city’s population, which in itself is more populous than the entire country of The Bahamas. The only way to fly directly to the Out Islands is with Delta Airlines, which provides nonstop flights to George Town in the Exumas, North Eleuthera and Marsh Harbour in the Abacos. Atlanta is the only US city outside of Florida where you can fly directly to the Out Islands.

Atlanta and the Out Islands have many things in common: Like a propensity to name roads with the same name. If you search “Peachtree” in your GPS for Atlanta you’ll discover there are over 55 streets with the name. In the Out Islands, practically every island has a Queen’s Highway: the one main road that usually traverses the island from the north to south. Unlike Peachtree streets, which reportedly are not named after an actual Peachtree, the many Queens’ highways do hearken back to the Bahamas’ colonial past. To this day, the Queen of England is still technically the head of state of this former colony.

When flying nonstop from Atlanta to the Exuma, Eleuthera or the Abacos you’ll have to navigate through the world’s busiest airport: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). It’s so busy because of Atlanta’s perfect location. It only takes three hours or less to fly to most major cities in the US. Flying to the Bahamas takes even less time. It is just a two-hour flight to The Bahamas. When you arrive at an Out Island airport, you’ll immediately know you are no longer in Georgia. These tiny airports are a great indication that you have arrived at a place where nature is largely undisturbed by the dregs of development.

Delta Schedule for nonstop flights from Atlanta:

• Daily to George Town, Exuma (GGT)
• Tuesdays and Saturdays to Marsh Harbour, Abaco (MHH)
• Wednesdays and Saturdays to North Eleuthera (ELH): This is also the hub for Harbour Island.

Although these are the best nonstop options, there are many other Out Islands that are worthy of exploration. Connecting to these islands requires a bit more effort, particularly when connecting through the capital Nassau. 

Other ways to get out to the Out Islands

If you connect in South Florida (Fort Lauderdale, Miami, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Orlando) it is possible to fly directly from the US to the Abacos, the Berry Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, the Exumas, North Eleuthera and San Salvador.

The only way to get to Long Island, Andros, Acklins is connecting through Nassau. The best route:

• Fly from Atlanta
• Stop in South Florida
• Transit through Nassau (NIA)
• Arrive in any Out Island

Southwest has a seasonal nonstop flight on Saturdays from Atlanta to Nassau. When they fly, you can cut out the South Florida stop. These islands may be a bit more difficult to get to, but they are worth every bit of the journey.