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Getting to Bonaire: Charter Flights
Bonaire Talk: Getting to Bonaire: Archives: Archives 1999-2005: Archives - 2005-01-01 to 2005-05-01: Charter Flights
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By seb (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2036) on Sunday, March 6, 2005 - 1:29 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Has anyone taken a charter to Bonaire from NY? Does anyone know anything about charters to Bonaire, or charters in general? I'd love to take a direct flight from NY to the island.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ann Phelan (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1723) on Sunday, March 6, 2005 - 8:34 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

BOS has charters to Curacao and Aruba and Funjet has a lot of charters out of the midwest to Aruba.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Sue Goodman (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #102) on Sunday, March 6, 2005 - 12:01 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

After our horrific 8 hour layover in MB last weekend, my husband suggested we charter a plane next year. While the cost of a private jet is beyond what I'm willing to pay to get to Bonaire, I don't think putting together a group from the Northeastern US is all that far-fetched.

Would anyone in the NYC area would be interested in a non-stop charter for President's Week 2006? What would be your price tolerance for a non-stop round trip from a NYC airport? I think I paid AJ close to $700 this year and would clearly pay a premium to avoid AJ & MB. If we could wrap Boston into the mix, we might be able to fill up a small regional jet.

I have a friend in the global air freight business that might be able to help if there would be real interest.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter - NetTech (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5373) on Sunday, March 6, 2005 - 12:24 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I love the idea! - A BonaireTalker charter! You could even arrange to get BT folks from outside the NY/NJ area to participate by having new BT friends put the non-NY/NJ people up the night before the flight and all go to the airport together the follow day!

The charter idea is not as far fetched as it sounds. There's a group that chartered a plane to Bonaire once a year in the spring from the mid-west (Ohio I think?). I can't seem to locate any information on them. Your friend might know some charter operators who could handle this.

Might even be a whole new business for you Sue!

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter - NetTech (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5374) on Sunday, March 6, 2005 - 12:47 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I've done a bit more searching on this topic.

Check out: http://www.nbaa.org (National Business Aviation Association). Their members may be able to help you (although their member directory is for members-only - so you might have to call them).

Found them via a link at http://www.sportsflightair.com (looks pricey).

Also look at:

http://www.transmeridian-airlines.com/Page.asp?ID=14

http://www.miamiair.com/

http://www.bluestarjets.com

Other airlines also mentioned offering charter services.

America Trans Air, Allegro Airlines, Champion Air, Ryan Air, Continental


On a mildly related note, one of the folks who runs the American Eagle ground operations on Bonaire indicated yesterday morning (as I was leaving home for another business trip) that as of April, AE will be flying daily again!

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom Cousino (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1465) on Sunday, March 6, 2005 - 1:30 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks Jake. Don't know if I will ever fly AE again, but will pass that info along. With Jet Blue flying to SJ it could mean "affordable" transportation to Bonaire. That is always a good thing:-{)}

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Israel A. Sanchez (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #156) on Sunday, March 6, 2005 - 3:06 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Susan, the idea sounds pretty darn good. Keep me in your list, please!!! Coach Izzy

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ann Phelan (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1725) on Sunday, March 6, 2005 - 3:52 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

As a travel agent I would be VERY WILLING to help market and promote something like this. I met a group in Jan. who have a charter every year from TN. Great idea. I think any departure point such as Hartford, Boston, Pittsburg or any major city in the East Coast or Mid West would work...

GWV used to do charters from BOS. I encourage people from New England to contact GWV and tell them you would support a Winter charter for 05/06...1-800-call-gwv. Right now they do the CUR charter.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Toby and Sandy (BonaireTalker - Post #13) on Sunday, March 6, 2005 - 8:16 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

For what its worth, we did a charter with GWV on our first trip to Bonaire in '98. Flew on an airline called Allegra, who got us there and back safely but the downside was adhering to their schedule - one week, ouch! - as well as the cattle car conditions. Hey, look at the bright side, 7 years later I can almost stand up straight, they didn't send my fins to Amsterdam (remember ALM ?) and we discovered Bonaire, which we will endure significant torture to get to. AJ has us in its hot little hands again this year (IN ONE WEEK !!!) and we're just hoping our experience is better than some others on this post. I guess my point is that its a tradeoff, less convenience for more security and we would take advantage of it if it worked for us. We'll harass GWV anyway, for the sake of the rest of you freezing New Englanders - yep, more snow/ice/rain tonight - and maybe something will come of it. I for one would not miss Jamaica and all those fun loving college kids on spring break.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Sue Goodman (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #105) on Sunday, March 6, 2005 - 8:48 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

The fun loving college kids on spring break would have been a relief compared to the obnoxious, swearing, demanding New Yorkers on my flight last weekend. I think many of them were rehersing their bit parts on the Sopranos.

I'll be at Beneath the Sea in Secacus in 2 weeks & check around if any of the airlines would be interested in charters. It shouldn't be too hard to tie Bonaire into either Aruba or Curacao and fill up a plane.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ann Phelan (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1726) on Sunday, March 6, 2005 - 9:00 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Sue, GWV will be at the show?? I know some members of BONHATA were going to see if GWV would reinstate it..I have been talking to the man who knows there (as recent as last week) and they were going to do BON this winter but he said there was no interest?? Dunno..I hope the tourism board and the hotel groups rally to get charters in..we need airlift..IMHO

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Freddie Hughes (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5931) on Sunday, March 6, 2005 - 9:00 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Sue please know that not all New Yorkers are OBNOXIOUS,SWEARING DEMANDING people!!! I also know some New Jerseyites that fit that bill!!

(Message edited by scubahb on March 6, 2005)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By The Ginocchio's @ Golden Reef Inn (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #626) on Sunday, March 6, 2005 - 9:38 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Sue,

I am from NJ and am married to a NY'er. Not all of them are loud, etc...

We flew a Miami Air from MoBay to Philly last year. AJ rented the plane. It was stunning! Brand new, clean, comfy...I would definitely recommend that! Annie, if you need any help let me know! We would love to help coordinate the NJ/NY as we are New Jerseyans!

Liz

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Davidson Mourillon (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Sunday, March 6, 2005 - 11:05 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

REMOVED BY MODERATOR FOR SELF-PROMOTION please read our policy on this matter at
http://www.oldbonairetalk.com/newsgroup/messages/25/152184.html?1078174978

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Sue Goodman (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #106) on Sunday, March 6, 2005 - 11:13 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I have lived in NJ for 20 years and have worked in NYC for 16 years, so I know the scene. Most of my co-workers are native NYers, so I know the vast majority are nice, courteous individuals.

More than half the people on this flight were as bad as a stereotypical NY gets. (Brian can back me up on this!). This was our 3rd year returning on the Saturday after President's Day and many of the faces (& behaviors) were familiar.

It was bad on the ground in MB, but actually seemed worse once we got in the plane and the men & women started swearing (in front of their children) at the flight attendents about the seating assignments. (split up families, kids assigned to exit rows, etc). I had to get a flight attendent to help me out when the guy seated next to me moved into my window seat because he wanted to sleep and I got up to see my family which was 19 rows ahead of me once the seatbelt sign was off.

I'm too busy right now with work and Girl Scouts to take on another project, but if someone can get pull together a charter we would seriously consider it. I'm calling Continental in a few weeks to use miles to reserve EWR-AUA. I can always redeposit the miles for a minimal fee if something better comes along.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter - NetTech (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5382) on Sunday, March 6, 2005 - 11:23 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I too first discovered Bonaire via GWV - if you waited last minute, you got great deals (R/T for $150!).

However, there's a huge difference between a weekly (and yes - you would be limited to one week stays) charter via a tour operator, and setting up your own charter which could do a 10 or 14 trip if so desired, a few times a year.

The latter is more feasible and viable from a business perspective, IMHO.

Jake

PS The only real negative on the GWV charter was that it also stopped in Curacao on the way back, with anywhere from a brief 30 minute to a lengthy 2 hour delay. With your own hired charter, you'd be looking at Bonaire-only - no stops anywhere you didn't desire.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Brian O'Donnell (BonaireTalker - Post #21) on Monday, March 7, 2005 - 12:07 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Sue,
You can count me in on the charter.

The "guy" you know in air freight - he wouldn't be named Dave would he?

And I'll back up Sue on the obnoxious characterization of some of the passengers. We all know the type and I think we all know that not all New Yorkers are not like that. Its just that they stick out like a sore finger and give the rest of us digits a bad name.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Sue Goodman (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #107) on Monday, March 7, 2005 - 12:54 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Brian,

no - Frank - he just moved from NJ to Atlanta.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4726) on Monday, March 7, 2005 - 6:09 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Another soul escapes NJ! LOL. cb

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jake Richter - NetTech (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5386) on Monday, March 7, 2005 - 8:24 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Sue,

My brother, who's in the executive plane sales business these days, suggest looking at http://www.charterhub.com and searching for Boeing and Airbus planes.

And, from someone on Bonaire who has researched this topic a bit I've been told a plane charter might cost around $80K. Figure 120-150 people on a flight and the per person rate become reasonable.

Jake

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Marianne Johnson (BonaireTalker - Post #31) on Monday, March 7, 2005 - 11:21 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi..we went to Bonaire in April 2002. We would love to go back but airfare is outrageous and I keep reading all kinds of stories here about flights from Hell....we are in Boston and I teach school and we always go away that week of presidents day...next February its the 18th to the 26th. We would also be interested in a charter flight.We flew AJ the time we went and although it was pretty much on time....the lack of legroom was just intolerable. I felt so uncomfortable the whole time. Plus wasn't seated with my husband and was squished between the window and the person in the middle.The only other flight I can seem to find is AA that gets in late at night and leaves at the absurd time of 6am!!! So anyway I would also be interested. Thank You, Marianne

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Davidson Mourillon (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Tuesday, March 8, 2005 - 12:40 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Good evening Bonaire fans - Can someone tell me how many of you plan to visit Bonaire and when??
Would be nice to know - and what is your average stay in Bonaire? - If you charter an aircraft basically the aircraft returns empty so the flight will cost like a two way price - this means you pay a return trip twice - two full loads and two empty loads (legs)- If the aircraft being chartered is a Long Haul aircraft (+/- 6.000 nm) minimum 235 passengers the empty leg can be used.
like a 767-300ER or a DC10-30 - A short haul +/- 3000 nm can also be used depending on the date.
This can be interesting for both of us - This will also cut down on your travel expenses per person because the aircraft will use both legs. The return dates will have to coincide.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Sue Goodman (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #108) on Tuesday, March 8, 2005 - 1:14 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

+I think the best way to make a charter work would be to get a dive shop or two to commit. That would likely fill up 40-50 seats & there are enough of us in the NYC area that would consider driving to not our closest airport if the departure time was a reasonable 8:30/9am. Just a few thoughts...

Davidson - I think it's just 2000 mn from NYC to Bonaire. Also, I don't think you would get 235 people. The Saturday AJ flight is an old A320 that seats 120-130, but in Jamaica people split to several US cities, with EWR/JFK/BOS seeming to be the most popular.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By George Blanchard (BonaireTalker - Post #71) on Tuesday, March 8, 2005 - 9:17 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Before I retired and moved to SC we regularly took a charter, Air only, from Detroit to Aruba. They would work with a 2-week schedule. I have noted there are occasional charter flights to Aruba out of Atlanta but I have never checked if they have any Air only seats.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Davidson Mourillon (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #8) on Tuesday, March 8, 2005 - 11:10 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Sue the following will be the correct data for a direct flight into Bonaire - It is always safe to choose an aircraft with a bit of more range in case the aircraft has to divert to an alternative airport - This is required for security reasons.
Curacao or Aruba may be an alternative airport going into Bonaire. Other airports would be Sto. Domingo, Haity, PR.

Name (ICAO/IATA) Lat/Lon (Decimal)
Depart NEW YORK NY 40.63/-73.78
Arrival BONAIRE 12.13/-68.28

Statute Miles Nautical Miles Kilometres
Distance 1999.56mi 1737nm 3217km

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Davidson Mourillon (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #9) on Tuesday, March 8, 2005 - 1:24 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

The following is the Divi flight schedule:
From Curacao to Bonaire and return from Bonaire:
06:40 - 07:15
08:00 - 08:45
09:30 - 10:45
11:00 - 11:45
12:30 - 13:15
14:00 - 14:45
15:30 - 16:15
17:00 - 17:45
Divi has two aircrafts: BN Islander 9 passengers
Cessna 402 - 7 passengers.
After hour flights are possible and can also be arranged if inbound passengers arrive outside of the scheduled flights. This has to be arranged with Divi to avoid overnighting in Curacao. Special charters can be arranged for groups of 7 or 9 persons.
Person to contact: Mrs. Germaine Richie (owner)
Email: flydivi@interneeds.net
If I can be of assistance please let me know - The idea is to inform you as much as possible that you can use your vacation time as productive as possible.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Sue Goodman (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #110) on Tuesday, March 8, 2005 - 5:39 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Can Divi be chartered to/from Aruba?

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Davidson Mourillon (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #10) on Tuesday, March 8, 2005 - 6:20 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Divi can be chartered to and from Aruba - This is done if the aircraft is available - The charters are flown with a Cessna 402 - 7 passengers.
Please contact divi at flydivi@interneeds.net to the attention of Mrs. Germaine Richie. Divi does not have scheduled flights to Aruba.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carl Pflanzer (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #147) on Wednesday, March 9, 2005 - 9:40 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Count Patty and I in, that's two more for your
charter. :-)

Carl

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Davidson Mourillon (BonaireTalker - Post #11) on Friday, March 11, 2005 - 12:45 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Latest news on AE -
As of immediately the two weekend flights from PR will be increased to six per week and as of the first of April to seven per week. Capacity 64 pax. ATR super 72 - Flights will depart PR at 18:30 arrive Bonaire 20:30 - Aircraft sleeps in Bonaire and depart at 7:00 and arrives PR 9:05
From May through July the flights will be reduced to four per week - Hope this will ease the airlift difficulties a bit.

 


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