We just got back from one week in Bonaire and one week in Aruba. We flew Avia Air from Bonaire to Aruba. The flight left Bonaire at 8:00 PM and arrived in Aruba at 8:40 PM so we did not miss a beat. Avia Air was great. We arrive at the airport at 7:15 PM and the plane departed promptly at 8:00 PM. The plane is very small (only 15 seats) and no flight attendant but the ride was very smooth and a lot of fun. If you sit in the front you can watch the plane land through the cock pit windows. A bus picks you up right as you get off the plane. The plane has 9 people on it. We accounted for four of the nine (with dive bags and all) and had no problem. We reserved our seats over the phone and paid for the tickets at the airport. They only accepted cash. Also on a side note....we flew home on AA from Aruba to San Juan and on to Boston with no problems. We cleared customs in Aruba so when we arrived in San Juan we did not have to collect our luggage. The plane from Aruba to San Juan was an AA plane not American Eagle so it was a 737 and the service was great. It took us about 1 hour to clear customs in Aruba.

Beth-
Avia Air sounds wonderful! How much did you pay for those tickets? Did you have to buy extra seats for your dive luggage? I heard that AA is starting nonstop service from Boston to Aruba this spring. I didn't know that you have to recheck your luggage in San Juan from AE to AA, because I thought they did it for you. The new AA 737's are nice, aren't they? I heard that they replaced their old 727's with 737's from Miami to Curacao.

We paid $80.00 per ticket (oneway). The four of us checked eight bags and we did not have to pay extra. They also allowed us to put our carry ons on the empty seats. I am not sure about rechecking luggage in San Juan. What I meant was that usually we fly from Bonaire to Miami and have to retrieve our luggage in Miami, go thru customs and then bring it to AA. This time we were able to clear customs in Aruba which was very convenient. I would definitley fly Avia again. I also receive an email from them on Friday stating that you could now make reservations via email. We flew first class on the 737 out of Aruba and you are right the plane was awesome. The seats had head rests that curve to fit you head and the crew was very pleasant. It was a wonderful trip home...can you believe it.

With Avia, as with the others, you have to worry about overbooking. They are new to the Bonaire route but they are also setting up special deals with some of the resorts and, believe me, they will bump an off the street paying customer in favor of a hotel package passenger. My advice is to arrive early, pay attention (look over the counter and read the passenger lists, etc) and be assertive if something looks fishy.

I am looking for a phone number to book on Avia.
If anyone has a phone numebr for Avia in USA or NA please email to joenovtek@aol.com

Thanks.

Joe

Avia Air

email: avia.do@setarnet.aw
phone: +297-834600