I have looked through the various threads and I am still not sure of the answer. I am going to Bonaire in May via Aruba. I will be taking the usual scuba equipment with me. I see comments about the Bonairexel weight limit as 20 Kg, Is this per bag or total baggage weight limit per person ? Also is there a limit on the number of bags that a person can take (ie 1 carry on and 2 checked bags)? I have emailed Bonairexel - but have not received a reply. If there is an extra allowance for divers - how do I get this noted. Thanks.. If I get an email back form Bonairexel with the answer - I will post it.

Carl,

Good luck with BE from Aruba. I've made the trip several times and always have problems. See the other postings on this subject. Unless things have changed in the last month, you will have to purchase your ticket in Aruba (that is the nightmare with BE). If BE ever gets their act together so that we can have our tickets in hand before we get to Aruba, the problems will be lessened. The weight limit is 20 kg total for checked bags..I never asked about the number of bags. However, if you insist (demand) an extra 10 kg allowance and it must show on the ticket..they will allow the additional 10 kg...this is still not enough for scuba eqpt and standard luggage...you should expect to pay additional XS baggage fees. After paying the fee, you will get angry when you see that the plane is empty.
Once you get to Aruba, put as much of the heavy stuff (regulators etc) in the carry on. Don't show the agent at the counter your carryon. You should be able to carry the carry on onto the plane and put it under and empty seat. Another tip...don't dally in Aruba once you arrive...go straight to the BE ticket counter and keep your fingers crossed. It took an hour on my last trip just to get the ticket. Response time to emails from BE can be a week...

Is this the same process connecting through Curacao with BE? Why shouldn't I let the ticket agent see my carry on? How many kg=lb?

Thanks as always, Kevin
(first trip to Bonaire)

Kevin,

The rules for BE should be the same in Cur as in Aruba. However, I don't think the people at Cur make such an issue...there is more competition in Cur. The 20 kg limit was taken from the KLM practice (as I was told by BE management). BTW, 2.2 lb per Kg, thus 20 kg is 44 lb. Try to get your clothes, books, dive gear into a 44 lb limit. I don't know how the folks who travel from Holland do it. My reason for "hiding" the carryon is so not to give the agent the chance to include it as your weight against the 20 kg limit.

Gregg- Thank you. Great info. Do you know what BE maximum weight is with extra charges. I will be traveling with the biggest suitcase Delta or American allow. Do you know what BE size limits are and number of pieces?

I would try to communicate with BE myself but, seems like that is somewhat difficult.

Thanks for everything!

Kevin

Gregg

We fly from the UK with KLM via Schiphol, we get 20Kg each for one checked bag each, plus an extra 10Kg each for dive equipment. Our Dive bag with all of our dive gear including regs weighs 33Kg. Then our carry-on is allowed up to 10Kg. Just enough when you add cameras etc. But sorry not enough for some extra Miller Lites.

Kevin,

I am not sure there is an actual limit. They will charge you high $$ for each lb over the limit even though the plane will be empty.

Good luck contacting BE... I don't think they are ready to be in business; they make it hard to deal with them...

I have been a reader of BT for over a year now and I finally have something to share. We (my wife and I) will be making our third trip to Bonaire in March...yes we too have fallen in Love with Bonaire. On our return we will be flying BonairExel to Curacao...and like others have expressed here, we are concerned about the baggage allowance. I e-mailed BonairExel yesterday (after I read the first part of this thread) and received the following response this morning...

Baggage allowed is 20 kg per person and for carry-on 10 kg per person. If you are a diver we allowed 10 kg more.
Mariela Jonis-Juliet
Dutch Eagle Express N.V. / BonairExel

T. +599.717.3471
F. +599.717.3472
E. mariela.jonis@bonairexel.an
I. www.bonairexel.com

Now the question is...did this word get all the way down to the people manning the ticket counters? Hope this info helps.

59 days and counting

Mike,

flying from Bonaire to Cur via BE should be ok since the ticket people for BE in Bonaire seem to know what they are doing. However, you should insist that the extra weight allowance be actually marked on the ticket.

I don't think the word has gotten to the ticket or gate agents for BE in Aruba.

Mike - Everyone

Thanks for your replies. I emailed BE back on Jan 23 and I am still waiting for a reply. I hope that the agents in Aruba learn the "weight rules" by May 22, 2004. 114 days to go. After shoveling the snow this morning - my wife and I am ready to go now.