The pilot of an American Airlines jet that overshot the runway in Jamaica has said he was happy to be home with his family for Christmas and New Year and praised his crew for their quick thinking and professionalism.

"This is the best Christmas," Captain Brian Cole said at his South Florida home. "I am just so happy to be home with my family."

Flight 331 skidded off the runway as it landed in Kingston, Jamaica, in heavy rain on Tuesday night, arriving from Washington's Reagan National Airport by way of Miami.

The Boeing 737-800's fuselage cracked open, the left main landing gear collapsed and the nose was crushed as the plane lurched to a halt at the ocean's edge.

All 154 people aboard survived. Ninety-two were taken to hospital, with no injuries considered life-threatening. The US State Department said 76 of the passengers were Americans.

Capt Cole walked away "pretty banged up" with bruises on his forearms, chest and stomach, but no broken bones.

"It's a testament to the professionalism of American Airlines," he said.

"I have the highest praise for my first officer and eternal gratitude for the way the flight attendants reacted in their professionalism to get all the passengers home to their families, as well."

Capt Cole spent Christmas with friends and family and chatted by phone with crew members and flight attendants as he relaxed at home, thankful that the outcome was not much worse. He said he could not speak further about the crash, because of the continuing investigation.

Authorities investigating why the jet overshot the runway at Norman Manley International Airport will receive flight data next week that should help establish a cause for the accident.