By Bonnie (BonaireTalker - Post #32) on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 3:46 pm: |
Has anyone heard any news about Air Jamaica's plans to first cut service to Bonaire to only Saturdays, and then to cut service altogether to Bonaire by September??
|
By Vince DePietro (BonaireTalker - Post #81) on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 5:26 pm: |
Yes..I just got off the phone with AJ...Effective 8/27 AJ will NO LONGER SERVICE BONAIRE!!!!!
|
By Gary Long (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #119) on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 5:58 pm: |
I wish AA would start flying from Miami to Bonaire at less once a week.
|
By mary pequinot (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #478) on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 5:58 pm: |
Oh, that's terrible. It will cost us twice as much and take twice as long to get down there. I'm glad they gave plenty of notice though.
|
By mary pequinot (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #479) on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 6:00 pm: |
Did you find out when they are cutting to only Saturdays by chance?
|
By Jennifer Smith (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 6:02 pm: |
Where did you find this info about AJ? Should I be worried about my Thursday tickets in June (9-23 June)?
|
By Tom Cousino (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1848) on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 6:17 pm: |
Vince's post began Yes..I just got off the phone with AJ...
|
By Tom Cousino (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1849) on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 6:27 pm: |
For those with reservations on A.J., I suggest you call them direct. Their reservations & information in North America & the Caribbean is: 800-523-5585.
|
By mary pequinot (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #480) on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 6:48 pm: |
Do call them-I just got off the phone; my reservations are fine (so far). They even asked for a phone number to contact us in case of a change. The agent was very nice and reassured me this wasn't happening until the end of August.
|
By Bonnie (BonaireTalker - Post #38) on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 7:17 pm: |
I called AJ today. The agent did not confirm the "rumor," although she too was very nice and helpful. If you want to cancel your tickets, they will give you a full refund minus $75 per ticket. I'm not sure what to do at this point. American is a hassle and flies through Aruba late... gets you to Bonaire at 8:30 PM. I'm going to look into my other options.
|
By Ron Gould (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #107) on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 7:17 pm: |
Just talked to AJ..... June 27th to Saturaday only and Aug 27th AJ will no longer service Bonaire....... :-( Ron
|
By Bonnie (BonaireTalker - Post #39) on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 7:18 pm: |
Mary, no. The agent at AJ did NOT confirm this to be a fact. I got a call from my travel agent today who shared this with me.
|
By Bonnie (BonaireTalker - Post #40) on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 7:20 pm: |
OH GREAT! I have tickets for Aug 11- 21. August 11 is a thursday. The agent did NOT share this with me. Ron, who did you talk to ???
|
By Ann Phelan (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1782) on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 8:12 pm: |
|
By mary pequinot (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #481) on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 8:54 pm: |
Bonnie, Annie is a travel agent (I think) and has up to date info. Pay attention to the statement she released. I didn't even ask the rep; she volunteered the information. If you get someone evasive on the line, DEMAND to speak to a manager!
|
By Ann Phelan (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1783) on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 9:03 pm: |
Yes, I am a travel agent. I see it is a press release so is not private information. I am very very concerned.
|
By David Frank (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #164) on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 10:28 pm: |
I decided not to wait around for the dust to settle. We have flown AA to Bonaire before and it is not pleasant but as we were ticketed for the Christmas - New Year's period on AJ, I just blew all my frequent flier miles on 3 round trip tickets on AA. 60,000 miles each but the ticket price would have been about $850 each. On the plus side we will be going a day earlier.
|
By Bonnie (BonaireTalker - Post #42) on Thursday, May 12, 2005 - 10:31 pm: |
Well it's confirmed confirmed. AJ is not servicing Bonaire on W, Th or Sun as of June 27th. They are offering full, complete refunds if you are already booked during this time (which I was).
|
By Sue Goodman (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #149) on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 12:37 am: |
Bonnie,
|
By Tom Cousino (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1850) on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 4:56 am: |
Continental also flies Newark - Aruba.
|
By mary pequinot (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #482) on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 6:42 am: |
In re-reading the press release, it is interesting to note that AJ is continuing service to Curaco, for those who can get from Curaco to Bonaire (Divi Divi?) Don't know if the times coordinate, but it might be something to check out if you still want to deal with AJ.
|
By Bonnie (BonaireTalker - Post #43) on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 6:58 am: |
Thanks, Tom. I just found a great flight on Continental. I guess my options are Bonaire Express or the Divi Divi. Anyone has experience on either to cast a vote??
|
By Tom Cousino (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1851) on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 7:15 am: |
Bonnie, my dive buddy John a.k.a. "Smack" and I have had pleasant experiences with B.E.. We plan to use them for travel between Aruba and Bonaire in October.
|
By Bonnie (BonaireTalker - Post #44) on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 7:19 am: |
Thanks Tom. Bonaire Express has their flight fees listed in "ANG." What is the exchange rate? For ex., the rountrip cost Aruba-Bonaire is listed as 298.00 ANG. Any idea how much that is in dollars?
|
By Chet Wood (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #571) on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 7:42 am: |
Bonnie,
|
By James Epley (BonaireTalker - Post #89) on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 7:51 am: |
This is a good opportunity to click over to the US Airways site and lobby them for service to Bonaire. I can't believe the AJ is dropping service due to low passenger numbers. The flights were always packed when I used them. Share your experiences with US Air and maybe we can convince them to offer a non-stop out of Charlotte or Phily. See the US Air thread posted a few days ago.
|
By karen gaffner (BonaireTalker - Post #12) on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 10:21 am: |
well there goes my aj flight in september. spoke to my travel agent,working on that lousy aa flight through Puerto Rico. I hate losing that day in Bonaire to sit in the airport in Puerto Rico.
|
By Gary Long (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #120) on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 10:27 am: |
Karen,If you can get to Miami by 10:15. Try AA from Miami to Curacao.
|
By Mary Knauer (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #8) on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 10:55 am: |
James,
|
By Frank Atherton (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 11:12 am: |
Yes I agree with James if AJ is dropping service I would think (and hope) that another airline would jump at the business opportunity. And, hopefully adjust their schedule to the more desirable times that AJ had. You would think the Bonaire Govmt, hotels, dive operations, etc would be calling and writing airlines to correct the gap left by the AJ pull out.
|
By Cecil Berry (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4031) on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 12:02 pm: |
Thank God I waited to book. I had permission from the boss lady to go with AJ in August. We are looking at a Saturday flight but I'll be damned if I book on an airline that if I miss my connection I miss my vacation. Looks like a GWV charter from BOS to Aruba and BE from there. It is the cheapest option.
|
By Marcus L. Barnes (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #296) on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 12:58 pm: |
Hopefully, American Eagle will see this as a profitable opportunity.
|
By Bonnie (BonaireTalker - Post #46) on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 1:39 pm: |
USAirways is really no guarantee either. I dont think that airline is going be in it for the long haul, but it's worth a try for now.
|
By Stuart Breil (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #9) on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 2:39 pm: |
I am going from LAX to BON next week on AJ for a week of diving. So this will be my second trip to BON, my only trip on AJ and probably my last trip to BON.
|
By Lorraine Meadows (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #959) on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 7:04 pm: |
Ok, I need positive karma about our flights on Sunday on AJ from JFK. Keeping these fingers crossed!
|
By Bonnie (BonaireTalker - Post #51) on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 8:16 pm: |
Lorraine, I think you'll be ok. From other postings, AJ seems to be running just fine now. The key word being "now." Have fun!
|
By Sue Goodman (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #153) on Saturday, May 14, 2005 - 1:28 am: |
if one arrives in Curacao via Miami on AA between 2:30/3pm, what is the earliest DiviDivi flight that one can reasonable make? Can someone describe the procedure (getting back, checking in, walking, etc) in the Curacao airport?
|
By Jake Richter - NetTech (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5456) on Saturday, May 14, 2005 - 1:51 am: |
If you get in at 1:53pm or so (as I will be next Friday), you can catch the 3:30pm Divi Divi. Any much later, and you need to shoot for the 5pm (usually what it's not daylight savings time in the U.S.)
|
By Bonnie (BonaireTalker - Post #53) on Saturday, May 14, 2005 - 6:20 am: |
Is Divi Divi available to fly from Aruba to Bonaire? I sent them an email and have not heard back.
|
By Sue Goodman (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #154) on Saturday, May 14, 2005 - 9:02 am: |
thanks Jake! I knew you were our DiviDivi frequent flyer & would have the answer!
|
By Jake Richter - NetTech (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5457) on Saturday, May 14, 2005 - 9:42 am: |
American in Curacao will deny boarding if you show up to check in less than about 45 minutes before departure. I usually try to give myself about 1.5 to 2 hours in Curacao.
|
By David Frank (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #167) on Saturday, May 14, 2005 - 6:02 pm: |
Once again, this board has saved us untold hassles. Has anyone been informed directly of this change yet by AJ?? If we had waited to hear from them to re-book our air during the Christmas holiday period we'd probably be spending our vacation in sunny New Jersey!
|
By Carole Baker (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4866) on Saturday, May 14, 2005 - 6:47 pm: |
Sunny??!! LOL. We're not too far from you, David! (Morris County). Sunny??? I guess we lucked out today and did get some sun on the weekend...a treat for us in NJ lately! LOL.
|
By Bonnie (BonaireTalker - Post #58) on Saturday, May 14, 2005 - 11:05 pm: |
I LOVE this board! What a great find! I'm glad that it was able to helo you, David. My travel agent called me immediately. Even when I first called AJ, they didnt confirm the problem. I had to insist that I heard about a press release and FINALLY they confirmed it.
|
By Carole Baker (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4868) on Sunday, May 15, 2005 - 1:23 am: |
Hi, Bonnie...that's where we live and I work in downtown Morristown, too! Morristown is only two square miles in size so we have probably crossed paths at one time or another (or cars in our heavy local traffic! LOL) ....small world indeed!
|
By Jake Richter - NetTech (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5458) on Sunday, May 15, 2005 - 1:55 am: |
So why don't y'all do a New Jersey BT Gathering? :-)
|
By Bonnie (BonaireTalker - Post #60) on Sunday, May 15, 2005 - 7:21 am: |
Carole- I know I will love Bonaire. Right now I'm just not loving the problem with getting there. I'm all set through to Aruba. Once I have a confirmed seat on the 5:00 out of Aruba to Bonaire I will be much happier.
|
By David Frank (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #169) on Sunday, May 15, 2005 - 10:33 am: |
I think an NJ BT BBQ this summer would be a great idea. I'll do the ribs. Anyone else? I'll re-post this under "Everything Else Bonaire" as this seems a bit off topic...
|
By Glen Reem (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2047) on Sunday, May 15, 2005 - 12:11 pm: |
Way to go, Jake. I scrolled down to post the same thing.
|
By Carole Baker (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4870) on Sunday, May 15, 2005 - 12:40 pm: |
Bonnie, your hubby is just down the street from me....I'm in the County Administration building!
|
By Jake Richter - NetTech (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5459) on Sunday, May 15, 2005 - 12:50 pm: |
I seem to recall that it was New Jersey that had a law against extreme intimacy on a kitchen table too :-)
|
By Jake Richter - NetTech (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5460) on Sunday, May 15, 2005 - 12:59 pm: |
Oops - just saw David's new thread - way ahead of me
|
Visit: The Bonaire WebCams - Current Bonaire images and weather!
The Bonaire Insider - the latest tourism news about Bonaire
The Bonaire Information Site, InfoBonaire
Search Bonaire - Search top Bonaire Web sites